SATA 6 GBps RAID Card Recommendation

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  1. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #1

    SATA 6 GBps RAID Card Recommendation


    I'm looking to do away with my standalone NAS and combine it's functionality with my always-on Windows Server. I have three spinner drives purchased and want to use an add-in RAID controller card. Does anyone have recommendations for one that won't break the bank? The motherboard does have onboard RAID, but I would rather utilize an add-in card. Some of the onboard ports are in use, and if I use a card, it can be moved to another system, if needed.

    I have an older HighPoint RocketRAID card that works, except it is only a 3GBps card.
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  2. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #2

    Here's an article from nerdtechy on this topic you might find interesting: Best PCIe RAID Controller Cards 2017-2018 - Nerd Techy. Let me know if you're looking for more server-grade stuff and I will make different recommendations or provide different pointers. FWIW, I've used lots of StarTech stuff purchased through Newegg over the years, and it usually works just fine.
    HTH,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the link! I'll delve into their choices, but I'm thinking none of them do RAID5. I know the Vantec card doesn't, but I'll investigate further. I'm planning to use RAID5.
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  4. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #4

    Check out this techpowerup forum thread: Best Raid Controller Card? | TechPowerUp Forums. Looks like LSI and Adaptec (a name I know from the old days quite well) still remain pretty positive. Over at Newegg, based on "best rating" rankings 3ware looks good, too: RAID 5 controller - Newegg.com.
    Thanks,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 1,366
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I had a recommendation on another forum for an LSI MegaRAID 9260-4i card. $40...can't beat that!
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  6. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #6

    Great price, indeed. For that kind of $$$$ if you don't like it, you can afford to trash it, and buy a different one. That's definitely the kind of hardware I like to buy, too.
    Thanks for sharing,
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #7

    Hi there.

    @DeaconFrost

    Sorry to throw my spanner into the works here or disturb the party but:

    IMO any sort of cheap Consumer Grade Hardware RAID card isn't worth it (not talking about high quality commercial server stuff etc. such as SAS but that's a different order of magnitude of expense !!).

    I've found the best solution is to buy something like a cheap HP ProLiant Gen 8 / Gen 10 Microserver to use as a NAS --install iinux on it and use built in mdadm -Software RAID - using Native bus speeds of the server.

    Linux software RAID is fine, you can mix and match HDD devices --can be of different capacities (the microservers have 4 built in HDD bays plus DVD / SSD port). Also with Software raid you don't have to worry about finding drivers for your system too. Linux software RAID is extremely efficient as well.

    Windows in general as an always on "headless" server isn't really a good idea -- Linux is the overwhelming choice for that.

    Windows Servers are excellent at providing a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for remote users etc -- i.e you log on to a company VPN and then get a Windows desktop with corporate applications such as Ms Office etc which is fine but as "classical Servers" I'd tend to avoid if poss.

    Nothing wrong with Windows in the right environment but for a classical NAS type server the wrong tool for the job.

    Cheers
    jimbo
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  8. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #8

    To each his own, Jimbo. Thanks for sharing your insights with us.
    --Ed--
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #9

    EdTittel said:
    To each his own, Jimbo. Thanks for sharing your insights with us.
    --Ed--
    Hi there

    @EdTittel.

    Nothing wrong with Windows --sorry if I gave that impression -- it's just for things like NAS I still don't believe it's the right tool for the job -- don't get me wrong --over the years I've done loads of things that without Windows would not be possible so in no way I'm anti-Windows --just I think for a lot of Networking type stuff there are better solutions !!!!.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4,224
    Windows 10
       #10

    No, your input is very welcome. The old saying "Give a kid a hammer, and everything becomes a nail!" comes to mind in this context. Just because we can use Windows do to certain things is by no means a guarantee that it's the best, most cost-effective, or easiest way to do it, period. I always like being reminded that there are other and possibly better ways to proceed. Our old buddy @Kari in fact does it your way, too, I believe.
    --Ed--
      My Computers


 

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