So I have a X8SIL-F mobo and have maxed all 6 existing SATA ports. I want to add another data drive, and start using a SSD for a cache.

 

The board has 2 (x8) PCI-Express 2.0, 1 (x4) PCI-Express (using x8 slot). So I'm thinking of getting a pcie expansion card to add more SATA ports. Would something like https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SZDK6CZ/ or https://www.amazon.com/IO-Crest-Controller-Non-Raid-SI-PEX40064/dp/B00AZ9T3OU work? Is there a cheaper+better option elsewhere? I'm a PCIE newbie so any general tips would be welcome.

 

As for SSDs, I know I need to look for a decent size and TLC+DRAM is okay. For my needs, 120-250GB would suffice. Is something like https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K8A29BE/ a decent option? I might even go for two and run in a mirrored pool. Thoughts on that?

Edited August 29, 20205 yr by Howboys

Avoid Marvell controllers, if two ports are enough get an Asmedia/JMB582 two port controller, if you need 4/5 get a five port JMB585 controller.

Be aware that even if the SATA Expansion card reports that the Disks are connected to a SATA 3 Port, they won't be runing at 6 Gb/s, PCIE 2.0 is going to heavily limit the speed of your SSDs and add some latency, for HDDs is okay, try to get a x4 SATA Expansion card if you like to get most of your disks.

I shouldn't clarified - I'll move my existing HDDs to the new SATA expansion card, and hook up SSD to the Mobo 

6 hours ago, johnnie.black said:

Avoid Marvell controllers, if two ports are enough get an Asmedia/JMB582 two port controller, if you need 4/5 get a five port JMB585 controller.

Thanks for the recommendation. It would be nice to get 4 ports at least to future proof. But those look pretty pricey. Do you have specific products in mind I can look at?

20 hours ago, Howboys said:

Do you have specific products in mind I can look at?

I have a couple of these and these, yes they aren't cheap considering you can get an used 8 port LSI for about the same, but I like them when 5 ports are enough because they are fast, stable and low power/heat, there are some cheaper no name Chinese models, they should work fine, though some cheaper ones might be more prone to CRC errors or other issues.