Controllers Information
RAID Controllers
If you do not intend to put your hard drives in a RAID array, then you do not need a RAID controller.
Dedicated hardware RAID controllers offer a much better solution for RAID than simple onboard controllers. These have better driver compatibility, work in both Windows and Linux, and support a wider range of array types. They also have dedicated processors, so that no extra load is put on the main CPU. For a high-end RAID solution where performance and stability are important, one of these is a must.
To help you select which one is best for you, match the type of connection available on your motherboard and the number of drives you need. Alternatively, talk to one of our customer service representatives and we can make sure you get the best product for your needs.
For more info on RAID arrays, check out our hardware article.
Other controllers
If you need additional ports above and beyond what your motherboard and case provide, we offer additional controller cards for most common port types.
| LSI 9361-4i SAS/SATA RAID Controller | Elgato HD60 Pro HDMI PCI-E Capture Card | Blackmagic Design DeckLink Studio 4K 6G-SDI | Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Monitor 4K | SIIG 3-port FireWire 800 PCIe (XIO2213) | StarTech 2 Port Type A&C USB 3.1 10Gbit/s Card | M.2 to 19-pin USB 3.0 Adapter | HighPoint SSD7120 Quad U.2 RAID Card | Silverstone USB 3.0 PCI-Express card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Specifications | |||||||||
| Manufacturer | LSI | Elgato | Blackmagic | Blackmagic | SIIG | StarTech | Highpoint | Silverstone | |
| Type of Ports | Mini-SAS SFF8643 | U.2 x4 Gen3 | USB 3.0 | ||||||
| Number of Ports | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | ||
| Port Location(s) | Internal | External | 2 external ports, 1 internal header | ||||||
| RAID Modes Supported | 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 | ||||||||
| Native Supported Disks | 4 | ||||||||
| Maximum Supported Disks | 128 | ||||||||
| Battery Backup Available? | Yes | ||||||||
| Slot Style | PCI-Express x8 | PCI-Express x1 | PCI-Express x4 | PCI-Express x4 | PCI-Express x1 | PCI-Express x4 | PCI-Express 3.0 x16 | PCI-Express x1 | |
| Form Factor | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | |
| Controller Chip | |||||||||
| Brand | LSI | Asmedia | NEC | ||||||
| Model | LSISAS3108 dual core RAID on Chip (ROC) | ASM2142 | uPD720201 | ||||||
| Memory Amount | 1024 MB | ||||||||
| Memory Expandable? | No | ||||||||
| Dimensions | |||||||||
| Height | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 177.8 mm (7.0 in) | |||||||
| Width | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 152.4 mm (6.0 in) | |||||||
| Depth | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 50.8 mm (2.0 in) | |||||||
| Weight | .102 kg (0.2 lbs) | .4 kg (0.9 lbs) |