I need a RAID 5 controller for 4 sata 500gb drives.

I am looking for a PCI-e x16 controller.

I would like to stay under $250.

Any suggestion is much appreciated.

Thanks!


Q6600
8600GT
8gb ram
Haven't decided on a mobo yet but it will have (2) PCI-e x16 slots

I replied to your post in the motherboard memory forum but thought id list some go-ers here

Adaptec 3405 - Bit over budget but a great card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6816103085

Promise TX4650 - Cheaper no onboard RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6816102117

Promise EX4650 - Over budget but awesome card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6816102114

3Ware 9650S - A little over again but... its a 3ware
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6816116042

Areca 1210 - Still a little over... but again its Areca awesome controllers here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6816131003


Hope that helps a little.

Awesome!

I think I am going to go with the Areca 1210. 256MB on-board, great review, and $284 shipped is not too bad.

Big thanks!

Double post >>

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] -mobo-raid

Hmmm sort of agree, in the other one its asked if mobo or controller is the way to go... what config etc... whereas this one is a continuation and asking for what controller i should get... could have been consolidated i spose.

0100:

Let us know how it goes when you get it all together. Dont hesitate to ask some more questions if you get stuck Good Luck

None of those cards are x16. The Areca and the higher-end Adaptec's are x8 but thats the quickest I could find myself (in December).

Has anyone found any PCI-e x16 RAID controllers yet? I'm getting ready to pounce on one, so I'd like to get the fastest available!

Thanks,
B

Hi Shd,

Why should you want to use a PCIe 16* (if they do exist)
when looking at the typical max transfer rate of PCIe 16*

PCI Express 16x 4000 [8000]* MB/s

In theory (not looking at overhead) you shoudl be able to saturate
~4000/50 MB = 80 spindels. I dont how many spindels you want to use but on average PCIe 4* is used for internal and PCIe 8* is used for external cascaded JBODs. Im using currently a smartarray P400 (PCIe 8*) in my workstation.
Using 4 spindels.Gives me a very good performance. I wouldnt notice a difference if the P400 was equiped with a PCIe 4* bus.

It shouldnt be the bus speeds to look for but more functionality.
Both PCIe4* and PCIe 8* are fast enough for usage in a PC/ workstation.

Regards