Looking for a PURE software RAID 5 Solution

[GreenJelly]

I just bought, and am returning, a Adaptec RAID adapter that cost me over $500 for 12 SATA ports. The problem with it is that it only supports PCI-Express X8 and I only have a X4

The only other device that I am aware of is the Adaptec 8 port SATA that fits in a PCI-Express X4 slot.

I really want to be able to create a large array, and speed isnt an issue. I have a very fast machine that will not be used when I am watching movies. Therefor I would like to see if there is a software raid-5 solution for Vista!

If not, does anyone know of a SATA II raid controller that will support 12+ or more disks, and still fit in a PCI-X 4 slot?

Does anyone know if PCI-X4 will be a long lasting standard... I would hate to dump $400 on a 8 port raid card that fits in a X4, only to find out that in future motherboards, none of them have pci-X4

Thanks
Jelly

[ExtremePC]

I use them all the time.

http://www.3ware.com/products/serial_ata2-9650.asp

Specifically the 9650SE-12ML.

If you have a spare PCI slot you can use the PCI-X version 9500S-12L, when you stick it in a standard 32bit PCI slot half the edge connector (the 64bit part) doesnt go anywhere but the card works as a 32bit PCI card. Its also a supersceded model so you might be able to pick it up cheaper.

[vlad]

I am using this one:
http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/54188/HA...se/default.asp
It is 8 port controller, but now you can get 8x1TB HDD's and get a nice 7TB RAID5 volume