Hi,
I'm trying to create a NAS using a Linux distro (FreeNAS or NASLite) from an old 700mhz pentium 3 system lying around.
Its got an Intel motherboard, pci slots, ethernet card and im hoping to get FOUR Seagate 320GB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drives to work in it. I wont be running them in RAID.

Now my questions:

1) What cost-effective hardware (SATA controller) should I get to utizile my harddisks to the fullest?
2) Should I just go with using a Linux Distro such as Gentoo or Debian and turn it into a NAS through normal network fileshare\samba?
3) I'd appreciate any hints\tips\help

Thanks.

FreeNAS is not a Linux distro, it's based on FreeBSD.

2) Depends. If you just want it to work, use FreeNAS or NASLite. If you want to understand how it works and agree to invest some time before you have a result, go for your favorite distro.

What about the hardware? What should I get to run 4 hard disks simultaneously on SATA?