Q: I have a motherboard compatible with IDE and EIDE hard disk. I bought a 1Tb Sata Hard Disk. What can I do to use it?? I saw some converters, but tell me what you know, please. Thanks!
A: Firstly, in computer construction you have to do some research to make sure your proposed components are correct. Anyway, you can go the converter route to save money, but I would personally upgrade to a motherboard with SATA capabilities. The main reason a person would get a SATA hard drive in the first place is to benefit from the higer transfer rate that the SATA cable is capable of (actually, another advantage is having the smaller cable to increase air flow, which decrease temperature, which increases computer performance). By getting a converter, you would be able to use your hard drive, but since the data is going through the IDE there, it would serve as a bottleneck limiting the hard drive's speed in communicating with your motherboard (and you won't get the better airflow). Well, considering what I've gathered from you, it should be fine to go with the converter; you'll probably won't even notice...or care, since I suppose it's just for the storage capacity. I'm a serious PC gamer, so obviously my PC is fine tuned and optimized for performance. You don't have to go to the extents that I do. :p P.S. For purchasing PC hardware (for your converter), I recommend newegg.com if you don't shop there already. It's a highly respected site by PC-aholics like me. Good stuff, cheap prices; usually free 3-day shipping. There're converters there, too, I checked. Edit: Ah yes, if you have the extra PCI slot, go for the controller as others suggested. I wouldn't use those but let's forget about obssessive old me...