PCI-e Sata expansion card

[elnevera]

Hi

 

I was hoping to get some recommendations for a reliable cheap(ish) sata expansion card?

I am hoping for 4 sata 3 ports and maintain the read/write speeds that I get to the other disks plugged into my board (Gigabyte - GA-H87M-HD3 Micro ATX LGA1150).

 

I have seen plenty based on the marvell 88se9215 chipset that range from £15 up to £50 at various places and various brands but they all look the same and appear to be PCI-e x1 and I'm not sure if i'd get the same performance as my other drives.

 

The board has 6 sata 3 ports in which I have 4 x 4tb HDD's and 2 SSD's (240gb and 128gb) and an alternative would be to get some kind of PCI-e card that I can sit an ssd or m.2 drive onto and free the 2 on board sata ports for my other 2 2tb drives.

 

Hope that all makes sense, I'm not sure what the best route is.

 

EDIT by moderation:

Different cards and their performance:

https://forums.unraid.net/topic/41340-satasas-controllers-tested-real-world-max-throughput-during-parity-check/

[JorgeB]

There aren't very good 4 port controller options. Marvell controllers are not recommended for some time, they might not even work with newest Unraid v6.7, if 2 ports are enough you can get an Asmedia controller, for more than that an 8 port LSI HBA is the best option, they can be found used on ebay starting at around $40/50.

[elnevera]

Thank you.

I'm looking into the LSI HBA types now as it does look like a great option and will offer even more ports in the future if needed.

 

The bit that is confusing me is the IT mode flashing thing. Is there anything to avoid when looking for these cards?

[ramblinreck47]

Here is a good list with some explanations about whether a model will need to be flashed or not:

 

https://wiki.unraid.net/Hardware_Compatibility

 

This is the one I bought:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-LSI-6Gbps-SAS-HBA-LSI-9211-8i-P20-IT-Mode-ZFS-FreeNAS-unRAID-low-profile/163558361429?hash=item2614d68955:g:I08AAOSwY7lcb1sJ:sc:USPSPriorityMailSmallFlatRateBox!45230!US!-1

 

This seller is rock solid and it’s worth the price for someone else to do the flashing if you don’t feel confident. Also, you’ll need some forward breakout cables as well. These are of really good quality and worth not skimping on:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B012BPLYJC/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[elnevera]

2 hours ago, ramblinreck47 said:

Here is a good list with some explanations about whether a model will need to be flashed or not:

 

https://wiki.unraid.net/Hardware_Compatibility

 

This is the one I bought:

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-LSI-6Gbps-SAS-HBA-LSI-9211-8i-P20-IT-Mode-ZFS-FreeNAS-unRAID-low-profile/163558361429?hash=item2614d68955:g:I08AAOSwY7lcb1sJ:sc:USPSPriorityMailSmallFlatRateBox!45230!US!-1

 

This seller is rock solid and it’s worth the price for someone else to do the flashing if you don’t feel confident. Also, you’ll need some forward breakout cables as well. These are of really good quality and worth not skimping on:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B012BPLYJC/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks very much for that - most useful.

 

I'm looking at this one, I have excluded any from China as I guess they are nearly half price for a reason.....

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LSI-SAS9211-8i-8-Port-6Gb-s-SAS-SATA-HBA-Intergrated-RAID-PCI-e2-x8/333104114349

 

As for cables, I did a search on Amazon ordered by Average Reviews but the reviews are a bit thin on the ground. This one was top of the list

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VanDeSaiL-Mini-SAS-Internal-SAS-Breakout/dp/B01HZFUNVS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1551889440&sr=8-2&keywords=SFF-8087+to+SATA

 

Any thoughts on those?

 

Cheers

[ramblinreck47]

23 minutes ago, elnevera said:

Thanks very much for that - most useful.

 

I'm looking at this one, I have excluded any from China as I guess they are nearly half price for a reason.....

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LSI-SAS9211-8i-8-Port-6Gb-s-SAS-SATA-HBA-Intergrated-RAID-PCI-e2-x8/333104114349

 

As for cables, I did a search on Amazon ordered by Average Reviews but the reviews are a bit thin on the ground. This one was top of the list

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VanDeSaiL-Mini-SAS-Internal-SAS-Breakout/dp/B01HZFUNVS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1551889440&sr=8-2&keywords=SFF-8087+to+SATA

 

Any thoughts on those?

 

Cheers

Both the 9211-8i and the cables you picked looked good. The seller for the HBA card has a perfect rating and lots of reviews. Looks legit to me. The cables are very similar to the ones I have. Just make sure you don’t bend them too much when using them. They are a little brittle and can break. As long as you’re not too forceful with them and doing crazy bends, they should work well.

[elnevera]

1 hour ago, ramblinreck47 said:

Both the 9211-8i and the cables you picked looked good. The seller for the HBA card has a perfect rating and lots of reviews. Looks legit to me. The cables are very similar to the ones I have. Just make sure you don’t bend them too much when using them. They are a little brittle and can break. As long as you’re not too forceful with them and doing crazy bends, they should work well.

Thanks for the warning about the cables. I searched on amazon's uk site for the same cables as yours and they were nearly £40 but noticed there were a few very similar looking ones.

 

Anyway, thanks for your help I have ordered the card and cables.

 

Cheers

[Draven]

I'm a bit late to the game but I've just bought a LSI 9207-8i from Ebay (seller qbtl seems thrustworthy, lot of reviews and lot of sales) and I'm really happy! Works out of the box, no need to flash firmware.

[rh535]

On 3/16/2019 at 8:59 AM, Draven said:

I'm a bit late to the game but I've just bought a LSI 9207-8i from Ebay (seller qbtl seems thrustworthy, lot of reviews and lot of sales) and I'm really happy! Works out of the box, no need to flash firmware.

Is the card still working well? Im thinking about picking up the same one from the same seller based on your recommendation.

[NAS-Man]

I have the LSI 9207-8i and it works great, just be careful lots of counterfits on ebay. My first one I bought new from another seller ended up being a counterfit, so I now prefer oem server pulls. I can confirm legit cards from un: findingdeals on ebay listing: LSI SAS 9207-8i Storage controller - 8 Channel SATA 6Gb/s OEM this is where i got mine and I just looked he still has more. I'm sure you know you will also need SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin HDD forward breakout cables.

[NAS-Man]

These cards are meant for a server chasis which have high air flow not desktop style cases if that is what you are using so you will want to add a fan on the 9207-8i heatsink or a fan in the case that blows across the heatsink. I used the Noctua NF-A4x10 FLX, Premium Quiet Fan, 3-Pin (40x10mm, Brown) which is a 6yr warranty high quality fan to keep mine cool and it works great.

[B1G]

On 9/20/2019 at 8:03 PM, jpowell8672 said:

I have the LSI 9207-8i and it works great, just be careful lots of counterfits on ebay. My first one I bought new from another seller ended up being a counterfit, so I now prefer oem server pulls. I can confirm legit cards from un: findingdeals on ebay listing: LSI SAS 9207-8i Storage controller - 8 Channel SATA 6Gb/s OEM this is where i got mine and I just looked he still has more. I'm sure you know you will also need SAS SFF-8087 36Pin to 4 SATA 7Pin HDD forward breakout cables.

I want to replace my AOC-SASLP-MV8 with the LSI 9207-8i but all the talk about conterfits is making me hesitate.

Can you confirm that this: jiawen2018 (23601 ) is the seller you refer to in the above quote ?

[rh535]

11 minutes ago, B1G said:

I want to replace my AOC-SASLP-MV8 with the LSI 9207-8i but all the talk about conterfits is making me hesitate.

Can you confirm that this: jiawen2018 (23601 ) is the seller you refer to in the above quote ?

I got this card from this seller and its been working great for over a month. No issues.

I can't speak to it being/ or not being counterfeit - but everything worked out of the box. 

[david279]

Anyone try one of these?

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3RMFFT/?coliid=I1YYBO4Q1UA8X1&colid=36Q4O0OOPOV8&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

Seems like a pretty good use for a empty m.2 slot.

[mrbilky]

2 hours ago, david279 said:

Anyone try one of these?

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T3RMFFT/?coliid=I1YYBO4Q1UA8X1&colid=36Q4O0OOPOV8&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

Seems like a pretty good use for a empty m.2 slot.

Byte my bits just posted a youtube video of an unRAID build with this didn't say that it didn't work so I think its viable

Edited December 12, 2019 by mrbilky
added text

[NAS-Man]

5 hours ago, B1G said:

I want to replace my AOC-SASLP-MV8 with the LSI 9207-8i but all the talk about conterfits is making me hesitate.

Can you confirm that this: jiawen2018 (23601 ) is the seller you refer to in the above quote ?

No the person was named: findingdeals and I just looked he does not have any more at the moment. Your best bet is to look for used server pulls from someone with 100% positive feedback and you should be OK.

[JorgeB]

11 hours ago, david279 said:

Anyone try one of these?

SATA port multipliers are usually nothing but trouble and not recommended, but some can work reasonably well.

[mrbilky]

10 hours ago, johnnie.black said:

SATA port multipliers are usually nothing but trouble and not recommended, but some can work reasonably well.

Hmm will have to follow his channel to see if he reports problems he just uploaded this the other day so time will tell

[stephen_m64]

14 hours ago, johnnie.black said:

SATA port multipliers are usually nothing but trouble and not recommended, but some can work reasonably well.

The m.2 adapter is pci-e gen3x2 sata controller, not a port multiplier.

3 hours ago, mrbilky said:

Hmm will have to follow his channel to see if he reports problems he just uploaded this the other day so time will tell

JMicron makes ok chipsets, this adapter is likely fine, how well it holds up with time/heat would be interesting to see.

[JorgeB]

9 hours ago, stephen_m64 said:

The m.2 adapter is pci-e gen3x2 sata controller, not a port multiplier.

In that case it should be fine, anyone who gets one please report back.

[JorgeB]

And if that one works OK this one will also work:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/CREST-Internal-Non-Raid-Controller-Bracket/dp/B07ST9CPND/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=JMB585&qid=1576324877&s=electronics&sr=1-2

 

That would be great since there aren't really any good 4 port controller options, I might get one myself to test soon, though they are kind of expensive for 5 ports.

[JorgeB]

Just got one the above controllers and it works, performance is decent, around 350MB/s per port with all 5 in use simultaneously, up to 570MB/s per port when less are in use, will now see if it's reliable with normal usage and will post here any updates, but looks like a nice 4/5 port option, and there wasn't really one, though mostly if you're limited to a x4 PCIe/M.2 slot, since one can get an used 8 port LSI HBA for the same price or even cheaper.

[JonathanM]

If that works, this version should work as well, apparently it uses the same chip, I assume this is what you were referring to when you referenced M.2

https://www.amazon.com/Internal-Non-Raid-Adapter-Desktop-Support/dp/B07T3RMFFT/ref=pd_sbs_147_3/140-7161017-3944644?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07T3RMFFT&pd_rd_r=84f3688b-e0bf-4c6f-9c4e-8c39590991fd&pd_rd_w=zNcnt&pd_rd_wg=8Z9Fk&pf_rd_p=7c0dad87-8a25-4c4f-9349-026039ea6cb3&pf_rd_r=RAV90H0GGEAF6CSFGNTS&psc=1&refRID=RAV90H0GGEAF6CSFGNTS

 

I can see a using one of these in certain circumstances.

 

Heh. I see one the reviews for this specifically mentions Unraid.

[JorgeB]

13 hours ago, jonathanm said:

I assume this is what you were referring to when you referenced M.2

Yes, any controller using the JMB585 chipset will work in either a PCIe or M.2 format.

[razz]

On 12/14/2019 at 7:12 AM, johnnie.black said:

And if that one works OK this one will also work:

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/CREST-Internal-Non-Raid-Controller-Bracket/dp/B07ST9CPND/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=JMB585&qid=1576324877&s=electronics&sr=1-2

 

That would be great since there aren't really any good 4 port controller options, I might get one myself to test soon, though they are kind of expensive for 5 ports.

I have an older MB Asus P5BE it has three PCIe x1 Slot. Currently running two 4GB drives in it and they work. I don't know if an 8 GB would work, slowly looking at move storage. Would any of these expansion cards work with my MB? Would be nice to use the SATA III speeds. What is the bottleneck in an older system anyway? Would it always be network speeds?

Edited April 11, 2020 by razz