In kony typed:
Newer boards will support at least one PATA channel because
OEMs (and others too) are still using and preferring PATA
optical drives.

Hi Kony, I aggree.
My last PC bought in Sep 2005 has a SATA HD as bootable
device and also IDE connectors for older HDs.
So there's no need for extra adapters!

Plus, the same argument you are making about the need for a
PCI SATA adapter could go the other way- that you buy a PCI
PATA adapter for the next system "IF" it ends up needing
one. If you don't plan on having more than one optical
drive in your next system and plan on purchasing it within
at least the next couple years, it is most likely it will
have PATA.

Yes/No, last motherboards have SATA "and" PATA connectors.

Can get a 250GB Samsung hard drive (from Komplett) for about £60 inc
delivery which is a real bargain.
But a PCI SATA adaptor by Sunsway from the same dealer costs £19. It
supports 2 SATA devices. That is definitely not a bargain as it's
one- third of the price of the 250 GB drive! What a swizz!

No need for SATA if PATA can be connected. Forget it.

The best alternative is to buy a PATA drive. It will be
faster than an SATA, because not only will you be avoiding
use of a PCI SATA card (slower because it's on the PCI bus
instead of southbridge integrated as your PATA controller
onboard, is), but ALSO because your motherboard's Via
chipset is known to have a somewhat low realized PCI
throughput. In other words, your board is among the worst
to use a PCI SATA controller on.

Don't understand. An onboard IDE will make no difference to
an extra PCI SATA card on performance.
And newer boards will already have a SATA interface.
I don't see any difference on adapter speeds.
Horst