Connector problem old desktop

[StarMoonCZ]

Hello,

I plan on repurposing old desktop as home server running TrueNas, Plex and maybe some small game servers(minecraft and similar). Its and old 6th/7th gen Intel CPU, Gigabyte MOBO(ga-h110m-s2h), 2x8GB 2400 MHz RAM, Palit 1060 3GB, 400W PSU, and 4x2TB 3,5" Seagate Hardrives(not yet purchased) and 1x256GB 2,5" SSD.

 

When I started to look around the computer I noticed it has only four SATA connector on the motherboard and the PSU has four SATA power cables(I would convert 1xMOLEX into 2xSATA). I though about adding an extension card for SATA but it needs PCIE x4 but the MOBO would have only 1x PCIE x1 if I would use the GPU.

 

Is there any solution to this problem? I thought about removing the GPU but I dont know if the plex would be able to run FHD only with integrated GPU. Thanks for any help.

[mariushm]

You can get sata controllers that only need pci-e x1

Technically you could get a pci-e x1 to pci-e x4 or x16 riser cable and connect the sata controller to the pci-e x1 slot.

Example : https://www.amazon.com/FebSmart-Litecoin-PCIE-Extension-Ethereum/dp/B08ZT212WV/

Adapter needs power because that usb cable between x1 card and the adapter board only transfers data - so you can give it power using either a pci-e 6 pin or that pci-e - sata adapter cable.

 

OR you can get a pci-e x1  to x1 riser cable, but one where the x1 at the end doesn't have a plastic wall - so you can insert a x1 or x4 or x8 or x16 and just leave part of the edge connector in the air (pci-e is designed like that, the x4 or higher card will detect only one pci-e lane and will work)

Here's example of such riser cable : https://www.amazon.com/Extension-Adapter-Degree-Upgrade-Version/dp/B091GYJ669/

 

Or instead of purchasing 4  2 TB drives, just buy one or two 6 TB or higher drives (I'd recommend WD Red Plus because it's CMR drives, or some Seagate NAS grade that's CMR, not the slower SMR)

[Aaron_T]

This would probably work fine for you: https://a.co/d/2L2AzCU

[StarMoonCZ]

36 minutes ago, mariushm said:

Or instead of purchasing 4  2 TB drives, just buy one or two 6 TB or higher drives (I'd recommend WD Red Plus because it's CMR drives, or some Seagate NAS grade that's CMR, not the slower SMR)

I think I will just buy 2x4TB or 2x6TB because I plan to run them in raid 1 to make a sort of backup. This seems a lot easier but if I need to get more drives Ill just buy the adapters you mentioned. Thanks