Which Firewire Adapter/Interface card?

[austinm08]

I just bought a firepod, and I'm going to need the firewire ports on my computer.

So, I started looking on tigerdirect. [list of all firewire cards]

I found one for $14.99, rating 4 stars, labeled "featured product".
Ultra 4-Port PCI Firewire Card with 2 Internal and 2 External Ports

Will this work fine with what I'm wanting to do? Do I need a faster one?

For instance, this one (for $69.99) says it can transfer at double the speed of the original Firewire 1394a.
Cables-To-Go 3-Port Firewire 800 IEEE 1394b PCI Card

If someone could offer a little advice, I would really appreciate it. I really don't know a lot about firewire, or what kind of speed it takes to run a firepod efficiently.

 

[Carter]

All I can say is, do not buy a combo card with USB and firewire and try to find one with a TI (Texas Instruments) chipset.

 

[austinm08]

All I can say is, do not buy a combo card with USB and firewire and try to find one with a TI (Texas Instruments) chipset.

Alright. I have heard about that before (the TI chipset).. but forgot. Thanks!

 

[austinm08]

Which one looks the best?

1. $35 - Firewire 800 IEEE 1394b 1394b / 1394a 2+1 Port Low-Profile PCI Card Adapter Host Controller with Ti Chipset (32-Bit, Retail with Low-Profile Bracket)

2. $18 - TI Chipset PCI to Firewire IEEE 1394 3+1 Ports Adapter

3. $25 - PCI to IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Card w/Texas Instruments Chipset

Is 1394b really double the speed of 1394a? Would the firepod even support it, or would it still go the speed of the 1394a if I had a 1394b card?

Do all these sites look trustworthy to you? What's your take? I need some input here.. thanks!

Edit: Also, #2 is different than #1 and #3 where it connects to the motherboard. Why is this? Should I check my computer to see which type will work?

 

[wheelema]

Which one looks the best?

1. $35 - Firewire 800 IEEE 1394b 1394b / 1394a 2+1 Port Low-Profile PCI Card Adapter Host Controller with Ti Chipset (32-Bit, Retail with Low-Profile Bracket)

2. $18 - TI Chipset PCI to Firewire IEEE 1394 3+1 Ports Adapter

3. $25 - PCI to IEEE 1394 (FireWire) Card w/Texas Instruments Chipset

Is 1394b really double the speed of 1394a? Would the firepod even support it, or would it still go the speed of the 1394a if I had a 1394b card?

Do all these sites look trustworthy to you? What's your take? I need some input here.. thanks!

Edit: Also, #2 is different than #1 and #3 where it connects to the motherboard. Why is this? Should I check my computer to see which type will work?

The difference you noted pertains to the voltage supplied by the mobo required to run the card. The cards with two cutouts on the card support both 3.3v and 5v mobos, the one with only one cutout supports (pretty sure) only 5v mobos. Given this I would suggest that your best bet is #3.

 

[austinm08]

The difference you noted pertains to the voltage supplied by the mobo required to run the card. The cards with two cutouts on the card support both 3.3v and 5v mobos, the one with only one cutout supports (pretty sure) only 5v mobos. Given this I would suggest that your best bet is #3.

Thanks a lot, wheel.