I don't need 16 ports at the moment so i was wondering would it be ok to just buy the 8 port 9211 LSI board and add another one down the road when needed?

Sure you can. It just depends on things like:

• How many x8 (or x16) PCIE slots do you have
• How many PCIE lanes have you got available and how do you intend use them

I have one of these 16 port adapters (not LSI) and it works with zero issues: https://www.ebay.com/itm/ASR-71605-Adaptec-2274400-R-16-Port-SAS-SATA-6Gbps-1GB-PCI-E-RAID-Controller/182739023209?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

And, one of these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-in-Sealed-LSI-SAS-9207-8i-6Gb-s-PCI-E-3-0-Adapter-LSI00301-US-SameDayShip/122171565228?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

Both are PCIE 3.0 x8 but using the 16 port adapter I have more PCIE lanes left for other things, such as a pass-through video card.

 

If you have the funds and a suitable adapter is available, I'd go for a 16 port adapter - you never know how many drives you're going to end up installing.

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by TheMantis

I would like the 16 port but it is not cheap the LSI one that is. I've never seen the one you posted what is that brick thing coming off the board?

I have a 16 port LSI but is more than twice the price of an equivalent 8 port one.    In my case I needed 16 ports and being able to do this using only a single PCIe slot the motherboard was worth the extra expense.

The black brick thing is a RAM battery backup (well actually it's some capacitors) for when the adapter is used as a hardware RAID card. It just plugs in and is not needed with how the adapter is used in unRAID. There aren't a great deal of 16 port adapters out there and, yes, the LSI ones are very expensive.

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by TheMantis

10 minutes ago, itimpi said:

I have a 16 port LSI but is more than twice the price of an equivalent 8 port one.    In my case I needed 16 ports and being able to do this using only a single PCIe slot the motherboard was worth the extra expense.

Yes you can buy 2 8 port ones for less but it takes up your slots.

9 minutes ago, TheMantis said:

The black brick thing is a RAM battery backup (well actually it's some capacitors) for when the adapter is used as a hardware RAID card. It just plugs in and is not needed with how the adapter is used in unRAID. There aren't a great deal of 16 port adapters out there and, yes, the LSI ones are very expensive.

The one you posted is a good price.

1 minute ago, david97 said:

The one you posted is a good price.

Yes, an absolute bargain. Refurbished enterprise gear can be great value when it's genuine.

Edited May 2, 20206 yr by TheMantis

12 hours ago, TheMantis said:

Yes, an absolute bargain. Refurbished enterprise gear can be great value when it's genuine.

Why buy a LSI board if you can get the Adaptec for way less?

Or you can add something like an Intel RES2SV240 SAS Expander.

 

This connects to your HBA and provides lots more ports. Despite appearances, it does not need a PCIe slot. It can use a slot for power, but theres a molex connector as well, so it cam be mounted anywhere inside your case.

 

You can pick these up used on eBay quite cheaply, even cheaper if you want to source from China.

12 minutes ago, meep said:

Or you can add something like an Intel RES2SV240 SAS Expander.

 

This connects to your HBA and provides lots more ports. Despite appearances, it does not need a PCIe slot. It can use a slot for power, but theres a molex connector as well, so it cam be mounted anywhere inside your case.

 

You can pick these up used on eBay quite cheaply, even cheaper if you want to source from China.

That is a lot of ports but still $49 vs $249 or $99, i just want something stable and not to costly.

Edited May 3, 20206 yr by david97