Intel i975X has at least 4 SATA connection. One is being used by your system drive (OS). If you want to use it externally buy a bracket like this.

Buy 2 or 3 SATA drives, strip them together via Windows XP's Disk Management. It will be software based RAID but your performance will still be good (50-120 MB/s). CPU drain will be a non issue.

If you want something better then you need to discuss it here. I think those external eSATA enclosures are a great idea. But for you 2-3 500GB drives should suffice.

 I too would say go for SATA drives. You will save lots and lots of $$ and get the performance you need. I have 4  320Gb drives in a Raid 0  that gives good speeds for HD work.

Check out newegg.com for harddrives

MovieMaker76:

Everything I am seeing for scsi is a PCI - X  - I don't even know if I have that, or what the difference is.

You are unlikely to have PCI-X slots on your motherboard.  It's an architecture that you tend to find on motherboards designed for servers, and PCI-e is most definitely not the same thing.  Like Dom, I'd recommend going the SATA route.  In fact, that's exactly what I have done with my own system.

If you have a 975 chipset you should have SATA on your mobo, but you can easily check by just opening the case and looking.  Even if you haven't, PCI-e SATA RAID cards are comparitively readily available.

In any case, if all that you're ever doing is handling HDV it has exactly the same data rate as DV.  This why you've been able to successfully edit with IDE drives.  Your CPU does all the work.  DNxHD while much lighter on your CPU can have up to 8 or 9 times the data rate of DV, and it's then that you'll need the striped RAID arrays.

To everyone,

thank you so much for all your help; I deeply appreciate it.  I think I will get the SATA drives instead.  I have been looking on Ebay and will check out newegg and bhphoto.

Sincerely, all of your help is truly appreciated.  I just hope to pass it on and be a help to others as well.  I will keep you updated if you like as I get the drives.

Jwrl,

I can do the sata drives with vista right?

I don't know of any reason why not.  You may have to go to your mobo manufacturer's website to download the appropriate drivers though.