Drool over Hardware

RAID 5 is the only way to go if you want to combine drives to maximize data throughput and access speed. If you want to use cost effective SATA drives, I would use 3ware 8500 or Intel SRCS14L. They're both around $300. I just need to find out if they work with 32-bit PCI.

I'm also looking at a SCSI 15K RPM drive with an appropriate controller. Each might set me back up to $300.

The approved digital camera is the Canon S400.

The approved DVD Writer is the Sony 500 series which also costs around $300.