3rd dvd drive?

[sho95]

How would I add a 3rd drive to my system? I currently have ASUS 1608P2S and a SONY DRU-710A but I now would like to pick up another drive and use the SONY only for scanning burns.

[budz]

First of all do you have any other IDE connections available on your mobo? If you do then you can add another dvd burner. Or you could add a PCI CONTROLLER CARD which uses the SILICON IMAGE 680 chipset to hook up another dvd burner.

[sho95]

So I can add another one on the same IDE as my HD?

My mobo is Asus P4P800-E Deluxe What other options would I have if any?

[budz]

So I can add another one on the same IDE as my HD?

My mobo is Asus P4P800-E Deluxe What other options would I have if any?

I have the Asus P4P800SE mobo which is a stripped down version of the one you have.
Some have said it is not good to connect a optical drive (dvd burner) to a hard drive. You could try it out and see what results you get.

I would suggest getting a PCI CONTROLLER CARD with the SILICON IMAGE 680 CHIPSET to use for your 3rd dvd burner. Or you could just get a PCI CONTROLLER CARD with the PROMISE CHIPSET for your hard drive connection. That way you would have more IDE connections available for more dvd burners. I wasn't successful in using a PROMISE CHIPSET PCI CONTROLLER CARD with dvd burners. There's a thread at Cdfreaks.com on using the SILICON 680 CHIPSET PCI CONTROLLER CARD for dvd burners. Although there are some that have gotten the PROMISE CHIPSET to work with a dvd burner.

I use a SILICON 680 CHIPSET controller card in 2 of my pc's with no problems at all. Burn speeds are fine.

[sho95]

How about if I was to just change HD to a SATA one and then use the freed up IDE for optical drive would that work?

[budz]

How about if I was to just change HD to a SATA one and then use the freed up IDE for optical drive would that work?

Yup that would work perfectly. Remember to load the SATA drivers from the motherboard cd to a floppy disc. You'll need to load those drivers when windows asks if you want any 3rd party drivers loaded. You have to hit your F6 key then follow the prompts. Also make sure in the BIOS you have IDE CONFIGURATION set to ENHANCED MODE.

[bevills1]

Will an IDE drive work on SATA connection? I'd think it will not, but I could be wrong.

[budz]

Will an IDE drive work on SATA connection? I'd think it will not, but I could be wrong.

I don't think he meant he would connect a IDE HD to a SATA connection. I read it as he would use a SATA HD then it would free up his IDE for another dvd burner. We'll have to wait and see how he will respond.

[Jikchung]

Will an IDE drive work on SATA connection? I'd think it will not, but I could be wrong.

Yes it will, you just need an adapter.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822998008

You don't get the performance of an SATA drive of course, but you will still get the full performance of your drive.


EDIT: I should clarify that the adapter only works for hard disks, optical ide drives are not SATA compatible.

[sho95]

budz, your correct.
I guess my best option is to buy another HD SATA and use the IDE 1 for another optical
Thanks for all the help.

[budz]

your welx!