any recomends for a SATA RAID card - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Dilbert1234567 · 08-14-2004, 10:20 AM

im looking to stripe 2 SATA drives, but im not sure what PCI SATA card is a good one, which ones are bad.

i dont use raid to much i have one stripped already but they are 2 ata drives and are on a controler built into my motherboard.

Jolt · 08-14-2004, 12:01 PM

The Adaptec 1210SA is probably the best on a budget. Chain stores carry them for around $79. This 2-port card can do mirroring or striping. Native SATA (no bridge chips) so the performance is decent even though it has no cache memory. The management software is a decent, if not excellent, browser-based package...you can check your array status locally and remotely.

The card comes with 2 1-meter cables (so you're set even if you have a very large case), a flex-height descender if you have a small case, and drivers for Windows 2000 & XP, Red Hat, and SuSE. The XP drivers work fine in 2003, even though it is not supported.

The only negative feeling I have about this card is...it has no connector for a status LED...I like my blinkenlights...

Product home page: http://adaptec.com/worldwide/product...erial+ATA+RAID

Generally speaking, there is a huge jump in cost to go from a 2-port SATA card to a 4-port or larger. Expect to pay over $300
for a 4-port card by Adaptec or 3ware, or around $200-250 for a Promise...but those cards have cache memory, hardware XOR engines, hot-plug support, more functionality.

Dilbert1234567 · 08-14-2004, 12:31 PM

well that looks good, thanks for the help, i will wait a bit longer to order incase others have an opinion.

basmoq · 08-14-2004, 04:43 PM

heck, I just use the adaptec one personally, it was cheep online $50 if you shop around a bit

bendsley · 08-16-2004, 08:31 AM

3WARE makes extremely good equipment.

www.3ware.com

You can get it from newegg.com too.

Jolt · 08-17-2004, 06:04 PM

3ware 8006-2LP@newegg, $144

Adaptec 1210SA @newegg, $55

3ware cards are made with PATA-SATA bridge chips. they are not native SATA...I guess they cost more because they had to put more chips on the cards.

neekap · 08-17-2004, 06:07 PM

I haven't toyed around with their SATA line of products, but I know Promise (www.promise.com) makes decent ATA-based RAID solutions. They might be worth looking into, though with a reputable company like Adaptec offering a solution at that inexpensive price, it may be tough to beat.

08-14-2004, 10:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	any recomends for a SATA RAID card im looking to stripe 2 SATA drives, but im not sure what PCI SATA card is a good one, which ones are bad. i dont use raid to much i have one stripped already but they are 2 ata drives and are on a controler built into my motherboard. __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

08-14-2004, 12:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dilbert1234567 Devils Cabana Boy Location: Central Coast CA	well that looks good, thanks for the help, i will wait a bit longer to order incase others have an opinion. __________________ Donate Blood! "Love is not finding the perfect person, but learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." -Sam Keen

08-14-2004, 04:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
basmoq It's a girly girl! Location: OH, USA	heck, I just use the adaptec one personally, it was cheep online $50 if you shop around a bit __________________ "There's someone out there for everyone - even if you need a pickaxe, a compass, and night goggles to find them."

08-16-2004, 08:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
bendsley Professional Loafer Location: texas	3WARE makes extremely good equipment. www.3ware.com You can get it from newegg.com too. __________________ "You hear the one about the fella who died, went to the pearly gates? St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument. Says, "Who's that?" St. Peter says, "Oh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane."

08-14-2004, 12:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jolt Insane Location: Over here	The Adaptec 1210SA is probably the best on a budget. Chain stores carry them for around $79. This 2-port card can do mirroring or striping. Native SATA (no bridge chips) so the performance is decent even though it has no cache memory. The management software is a decent, if not excellent, browser-based package...you can check your array status locally and remotely. The card comes with 2 1-meter cables (so you're set even if you have a very large case), a flex-height descender if you have a small case, and drivers for Windows 2000 & XP, Red Hat, and SuSE. The XP drivers work fine in 2003, even though it is not supported. The only negative feeling I have about this card is...it has no connector for a status LED...I like my blinkenlights... Product home page: http://adaptec.com/worldwide/product...erial+ATA+RAID Generally speaking, there is a huge jump in cost to go from a 2-port SATA card to a 4-port or larger. Expect to pay over $300 for a 4-port card by Adaptec or 3ware, or around $200-250 for a Promise...but those cards have cache memory, hardware XOR engines, hot-plug support, more functionality.

08-17-2004, 06:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jolt Insane Location: Over here	3ware 8006-2LP@newegg, $144 Adaptec 1210SA @newegg, $55 3ware cards are made with PATA-SATA bridge chips. they are not native SATA...I guess they cost more because they had to put more chips on the cards.

08-17-2004, 06:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
neekap Tilted Location: Central OH	I haven't toyed around with their SATA line of products, but I know Promise (www.promise.com) makes decent ATA-based RAID solutions. They might be worth looking into, though with a reputable company like Adaptec offering a solution at that inexpensive price, it may be tough to beat.