I am looking for a new controller for my sys.

Only problem: Not all of this "special" controllers are available in Austria.

I found 3 models and like to know, how/whether they work:

 

Adaptec HBA1000-8i

Broadcom 9211-8i

Broadcom SAS 9207-8i

 

I would prefer the Adaptec HBA1000-8i but there is a Warning on the Webpage, that this card is only for "good cooled" 19" cases,

so i dont know, if it's is a good idea to use this card.

 

The question is now, do they work out of the box and is there somthing to take care about?

I would be gateful for any hint

 

Edited November 4, 20178 yr by Zonediver

37 minutes ago, Zonediver said:

I would prefer the Adaptec HBA1000-8i

 

I believe @bonienlhas one of those.

 

38 minutes ago, Zonediver said:

Broadcom 9211-8i

Broascom SAS 9207-8i

 

Both work and are recommended, the 9207 is plug n play, the 9211 may need to be flashed to IT mode, but it's usually easy.

8 minutes ago, johnnie.black said:

 

I believe @bonienlhas one of those.

 

 

Both work and are recommended, the 9207 is plug n play, the 9211 may need to be flashed to IT mode, but it's usually easy.

 

Thanks for your help johnnie - then i will buy a 9207. I was a little bit confused, because the forum talks about LSI, but this is from Broadcom.

Last Question; Do i need a special cooling solution for this card? It has the same wattage as the Adaptec (9,8W) but there is no way to mount a cooler on it.

The headsink is also significant smaler as the one on the Adaptec card...

Edited November 4, 20178 yr by Zonediver

Just now, Zonediver said:

becaus the forum talks about LSI, but this is from Broadcom

 

Avago bough LSI and then bough Broadcom, guess they decided to stick with Broadcom due to name recognition

 

1 minute ago, Zonediver said:

Last Question; Do i need a special cooling solution for this card?

 

They do get hot, theses controllers are usually used on well ventilated servers, you don't need to put a small fan on it but it's good to have some airflow around it, I usually use a slow 120mm fan on the side of the case (if you use a tower case).

Just now, johnnie.black said:

 

Avago bough LSI and then bough Broadcom, guess they decided to stick with Broadcom due to name recognition

 

 

They do get hot, theses controllers are usually used on well ventilated servers, you don't need to put a small fan on it but it's good to have some airflow around it, I usually use a slow 120mm fan on the side of the case (if you use a tower case).

 

Yea thats the problem - there is no option on the side of the case and the airflow is low - its super silent . The Adaptec controller has 2x M3-holes for a 40mm fan so its maybe the better solution...

1 hour ago, Zonediver said:

I would prefer the Adaptec HBA1000-8i but there is a Warning on the Webpage, that this card is only for "good cooled" 19" cases,

so i dont know, if it's is a good idea to use this card

 

I am using the Adaptec HBA1000-8i. You'll need unRAID 6.3 or later to use this controller and it willl run out-of-the-box (zero configuration, but you may want to upgrade to the latest BIOS).

 

It is recommended to have some airflow in your case. The controller comes with a passive heatsink and without airflow becomes quite hot (70C). My case has two 120mm in-take fans which blow air over the installed extension boards and lowers the operating temperature considerably (38C).

 

Keep in mind you need cables which go along with this controller. It uses SFF-8643 connectors.

9 hours ago, bonienl said:

 

I am using the Adaptec HBA1000-8i. You'll need unRAID 6.3 or later to use this controller and it willl run out-of-the-box (zero configuration, but you may want to upgrade to the latest BIOS).

 

It is recommended to have some airflow in your case. The controller comes with a passive heatsink and without airflow becomes quite hot (70C). My case has two 120mm in-take fans which blow air over the installed extension boards and lowers the operating temperature considerably (38C).

 

Keep in mind you need cables which go along with this controller. It uses SFF-8643 connectors.

 

See my Sig - i use 6.3.5.

The Airflow might be a problem. The Case has 3 Intakes: 2x140mm and 1x 120mm with 700U/min and i am not sure, if this is enough...

The Adaptec has the option for a 40mm fan - thats the reason why i prefer them - and he is newer as well.

Good to hear that the controller will run with zero config.

Can you recommend good cables? Shall i use the original Adaptec cable set?

By the way: How can you measure the Temp of the Controller in unraid? Does the Temp-plugin see the controller?

Edited November 4, 20178 yr by Zonediver

2 hours ago, Zonediver said:

Can you recommend good cables? Shall i use the original Adaptec cable set?

 

I use the original Adaptec cables, they work and fit well.

 

2 hours ago, Zonediver said:

How can you measure the Temp of the Controller in unraid? Does the Temp-plugin see the controller?

 

You need to enter the BIOS of the controller at startup (ctrl-A). It has a sensor but not readable externally AFAIK.

 

1 minute ago, bonienl said:

 

I use the original Adaptec cables, they work and fit well.

 

 

You need to enter the BIOS of the controller at startup (ctrl-A). It has a sensor but not readable externally AFAIK.

 

 

Ok, i see - thanks bonienl

I've seen in Broadcom's documentation that you're supposed to be able to hook up up to 256 devices to the Broadcom SAS 9207-8i. I'm looking to potentially be able to hook up 15 hard drives and wondered if any of you have done that with this card or any of the 8i Broadcom cards. I've been looking around and haven't found how anyone connected more than 8 drives. Any help is appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

James

Via a SAS expander.   Either an add on card or some hot swap back planes have them built in

I got a Zalman FB-123 to cool my controllers and other PCI/PCIe cards.  The bracket screws to the PCI/PCIe slot cover screws and the fan slides along the bracket and blows down on the PCI/PCIe cards below it.  Since it is no longer made I got it used on eBay and actually I got it along with the CPU heat sink it was designed for.  Specifically it was a Zalman CNPS6000-AlCu cooler just not that seller.  Just pitched the heat sink since all I wanted was the bracket and fan.  It was also used on the CNPS3100 and sold separately as the FB-123.

Anything cheaper in price but still good?

 

Currently have a MB with 6 SATA, all in use.

 

Are there some cards with 4 ports that would be good?  On a budget.

Edited November 7, 20178 yr by Paul_Ber

@Paul_Ber

Not sure to which price you refer to, but the rebranded LSI 9240-8i cards from IBM, DELL and Fujitsu are very competitive when it comes to costs. The only thing is, you have to crossflash em to IT mode.
Check our wiki for other known working adapters.

Maybe the trade section of the forum has something you're looking for?

 

@Tuxtech
The LSI SAS 9201-16i is often mentioned around here.
Although pricing and availability is heavily dependent on your location.
As the names suggests, you can hook up 16 drives on that one.

I'm not up-to-date but expanders were not cheap also when I checked last time.

Another option would be a second 8i card.

Also, check the above link for alternative solutions.

Edited November 7, 20178 yr by Fireball3