SATA Controller

[pjd9000]

I've searched the forums and Google as much as I can before reaching the conclusion I have no idea what I'm doing. And rather than drop a lot of money for something that won't boot, I decided I should just ask.

Right now I am running a :

HP Proliant ML330 G3(I Think)
2 x 2.4ghz Xeon
2gb ECC RAM
4 PCI-X Slots 3.3V

I want to purchase 3-4 750gb SATA Drives (spin points). I cannot seem to find an affordable controller card that holds more than 2 internal ports. Is that the threshold where I am just better of with just two drives?

And is it possible to just buy 2-separate controller cards, and do they need to be hardware raid?

Thanks

 

[chookman]

What do you intend on doing with the harddrives? RAID implementation or just singular? What will they be used for and what is "affordable"

 

[pjd9000]

1. The Idea is a central data/file server for a home network to store large video files.

2. In terms of affordable I really did not want to spend more than $150 on a controller card.

3. I would prefer singular, but I was told that I would "need" to boot into RAID for the server.

 

[chookman]

For single drives there shouldnt be any reason why you cant connect the new ones to ports on the motherboard, its a "server" machine so it should have that available (not sure on spec of the machine).

If you really need a controller, its doesnt sound like you want RAID at all so you should be able to find a 4 port controller for cheap.

Cheapy that just adds extra sata ports for your machine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124020

Something like this has small RAID functions
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816115015[/url