I am looking to run upwards of 7 IDE devices on my new build . I am gonna have to use a PCI IDE Cotroller card to run some of these . I have never used this type of device before . Need to ask some questions . Running through the PCI slot ....... do they run as fast as they would through the motherboard ? Would it matter what I put on the pci ide card . Like should I run my hard drives through the motherboard and the optical drives through the pci ide card . Can I run 2 or more pci ide cards without a problem ...... like should I worry about my bios seeing all of the IDE devices . I can't find any pci ide card that has more than 4 ide connections ......... do they make them that have more than 4 .

I haven't seen boards with more then 4 ide connectors, but that should be more then enough for you! 4 connectors * 2 drives/cable = 8 devices + 2 connectors (on mobo) * 2 drives/cable = 4 so you shall have the posibility to connect up to 12 ide devices!! Now you should worry about PSU and the fizical space in you case LOL GooD LucK! It's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice...

Your biggest issue is going to be finding room to install all these devices not too mention powering them and keeping them cool. I personally have never seen a case that will hold as many as you are suggesting although I am sure they are probably out there. The devices will only run as fast as the PCI slot on the board will allow. I believe it 66MHz Jimi_l

It doesn't matter if optical or HD on the board or the card, the pci card will work similar to the ide on board. If you gonna have many hd, why don't you consider external enclosures. I am having 5 IDE devices on my system. PCI IDE controller card is a Maxtor. The case is open and 3 hd is outside the case. 2 DVD drives in the case. Another hard drive on an external enclosure. Besure to get a good power-suplly with at least 450W. External enclosure would share the load.

The case is http://www.addtronics.com/ServerTower.htm so it will have the space . I have a 550 watt ps on it's way . In addition to the above stats I am running 3 hard drives in usb enclosures as well .