Having trouble choosing a RAID controller

PixelEater

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Apr 25, 2007
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In my new workstation, I'd like to run things on 2 150GB Raptors in RAID 0 and have 4 500GB Barracudas in pairs of RAID 0.

I guess I need a RAID controller with 8 internal SATA II connections. I need a good solution that's going to stay with me for several mobos. Speed, compatibility, and stability are really important. I am a performance whore and almost want hardware RAID, but find the price inhibitive.

The HighPoint RocketRAID 2320 almost fits my needs, but I don't like its spotty compatibility and some of the reported problems. Is there no such thing as a solid RAID controller?

Can anyone link me to some reviews or offer suggestions?
 

babaghan

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Apr 2, 2007
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I installed 3ware's 4-port 9650SE RAID controller today and it working until this point. They also make an 8-port model. It's a true hardware RAID controller, unlike the HighPoint model which I believe is only a hybrid solution. The 3ware controllers are more expensive than HighPoint, but ya gotta pay for speed. As a bonus, 3ware designs their products for real work, unlike my system below which suffers which a Peter Pan Complex :D

Vista 32bit
Core 2 Duo E6600
BFG GeForce 8800 GTX
Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400 2X1GB DDR2-800
3ware 9650SE-4LPML RAID Controller
Western Digital 150GB Raptor x2 RAID 0 - OS
Western Digital 150GB Raptor x2 RAID 0 - Data
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series
Dell E207WFP & Samsung SyncMaster 213T
Asus Striker Extreme Motherboard
PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR
Zalman CNPS9700 NT
Silverstone Temjim TJ07
Coolit Beverage Chiller (pride of the system)
 

Fedor

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Feb 11, 2007
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If you're only running RAID0 just go with a Silicon Image-based controller, no point in spending hundreds of dollars on a RAID controller that would only flex its muscles with a RAID5 setup.

Since the SI chip controllers only come with up to 4 ports from what I've seen, get two of those and you're good to go.
 

PixelEater

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Well, the way motherboards are torn between PCI and PCI express right now, it would be best if I could get it in one card.
 

Fedor

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For one card you're gonna have to go with something beefier so it'll set you back more money... Always a trade-off!

Edit - Or get 1 PCI and 1 PCIe :p