What Core 2 Board?

[scrapser]

I just received my NewEgg order including the DFI Infinity 975X/G. I guess I'm still learning new things as I discovered this board only has one IDE connection and 4 USB ports. My DFI LanParty UT UltraD has two IDE connections and 6 USB ports. For some reason, I never looked into those items when I ordered the LanParty and they happened to be just what I wanted.

 

Now, when I ordered the Infinity I did the same thing and was focused on how many people were giving it high marks. It never occurred to me about the connections. I thought that sort of stuff was pretty much standard on boards. Does anyone know what's a good board that has the number of connections I'm looking for and is a decent board? I'm going to start searching but thought I would float the question here for some suggestions.

 

Also, I guess I should as if it's even possible to set up the Infinity with two HD's and two CD/DVD drives? I'm not interested in SATA or RAID, so if that's the only way I guess I'll have to go with something else.

 

What a way to start a weekend.

 

Thanks

[Thraxz]

To my knowledge, NO C2D intel chipset board has two IDE channels so don't bash it too badly.

 

Only a few nvidia 5XX series chipset board support both two IDE channels and C2D

[scrapser]

Thanks for the info. Since I first posted, I started educating myself on what SATA is and it appears to be replacing PATA (IDE) most probably because of the faster data transfer rate (which is a good thing). Now I have to learn what RAID is and if it's part of using SATA. My current impression is that RAID is a way to mirror two hard drives to increase performance but I don't know if that's correct.

 

If you care to give me a quick overview of SATA and RAID and how I would use them on this motherboard I would be grateful. It's beginning to look like all I need to do is return the PATA drives for comparable SATA drives. I can use the single IDE connection for my CD/DVD drives.

 

Thanks

[Kingfisher]

There are several different set-ups and usages for RAID

 

You can also choose to purchase SATA CD/DVD drives and get rid of those IDE cables for good.

[scrapser]

Good point on the CD/DVD drives...I was so focused on the hard drives it went right over my head. I can't believe I didn't pick up on the changes in drive technology over the past few years. I had heard the terms many times but always in the context of using RAID so I thought they went together and ignored them.

 

So SATA is essentially replacing PATA and what I now need to do is return the PATA drives for SATA drives.

 

Live and learn.

 

Thanks

[Branjo]

For me the best bonus of all in going from PATA to SATA was getting rid of those damn IDE cables, they just ruin the airflow in a case.