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What is best PCI eSATA card out there for me?

I've been mislead on this already by a Memory Express consultant. Now, I'm looking to you guys, the experts, for the best PCI card out there that is going to offer me the most eSATA ports to hook up my six external drives/docks to my computer and enable fast transfer of massive data on my system.

Please tell me what's best, and if you know "where to get it" and the best possible price, that of course will also be more than welcome.

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MaurizioSchmidt

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geowrian

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Gary Case

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geowrian

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CanadianJeff

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Wow, I think that's some great info, but alot of it's greek to me, though I think I'm getting the idea. Is PCI or PCI-e dependent on my motherboard? (It's a M3N78 PRO.) Or, my CPU? (AMD X4-920.) Where do I determine that my system will support a particular type of card?
Essentially, I'm looking for the fastest, best, etc., that I can do. I want to up the capacity of this system to run 6-8 drives (many externals with eSATA ports, plus a couple of docks both with eSATA ability.), at max speed possible to move files around quickly and without errors. I didn't know bandwith played a role within the system, but I want to push it to the max (within reason on costs, of course).
The card garycase has suggested looks pretty darned good (at a pretty hefty price, of course). My motherboard says it supports PCI Express x1_1 slot, and PCI Express 2.0 x16_1 slot, PCI_1 slot, PCI_2 slot, PCI_3 slot, and PCI Express x 1_2 slot. I'm not sure what all that means. I may want to add a graphics card later on as well; is my M3N78 PRO capable of that AND perhaps that high-end PCI-e card as well? (I can't tell.)
Sorry, I'm really green on all of this. Thought it might be easier, but there's obviously more to it. It doesn't even really say if that 8x card will produce 3 GB/s speeds, though it appears it will support my many drives (if I get a Port Multiplier). How am I doing so far?

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Gary Case

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CanadianJeff

ASKER

Excellent! I'm torn as to which way to go. Want to add video card down the road, but also want the better of these cards to ensure blazing speeds. Will think about that, but...
...do you also have a good recommendation on where I can get a good port multiplier so I can move data around the drives at the same time, and that I can get the product shipped to Canada? (Only one I've found so far doesn't ship to Canada.)

CanadianJeff

ASKER

Sorry, Gary... checked out your link for the Port Multiplier after I asked that question. I've asked them if they'll ship to Canada, waiting on an answer. Please disregard last comment...

CanadianJeff

ASKER

I came to award the points. Can I still do that, or I am too late?

CanadianJeff

ASKER

If I can, I've weighed the answers out (in terms of how they assist me), and would like them awarded like this:
MaurizioSchmidt - 40
Geowrian - 40 (1st answer)
garycase - 180 (1st answer)
Geowrian - 30 (2nd answer)
garycase - 200 (2nd answer)
Thanks each of you for your responses. Sorry for letting the question sit for so long with awarding the points.

CanadianJeff

ASKER

CanadianJeff

ASKER

Thanks for your patience, guys, your info is much appreciated as well.