I just bought one of those SATA/IDE 3.5-2.5" to USB adapters also. Mine as about $19 at the TigerDirect outlet store, but it has a power supply for the drives as well. Works great so far.
As for the PCChips board, I have bought a few of that model from TigerDirect. I have never been able to make it work properly. It never wants to correct detect the bus speed.
Computer Geeks has a LOT of refurbished Socket A boards and a few new ones too.
This new generic one works very well for about $43:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=SIS741GX-MN&cat=MBB
Their shipping is higher than NewEgg but depending on what you are looking for it is a good alternative for them.
While I haven't tried the Silicon Image SATA card, I have tried a PATA one and haven't had any issues with it.
As for the PCChips board, I have bought a few of that model from TigerDirect. I have never been able to make it work properly. It never wants to correct detect the bus speed.
Computer Geeks has a LOT of refurbished Socket A boards and a few new ones too.
This new generic one works very well for about $43:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=SIS741GX-MN&cat=MBB
Their shipping is higher than NewEgg but depending on what you are looking for it is a good alternative for them.
While I haven't tried the Silicon Image SATA card, I have tried a PATA one and haven't had any issues with it.