955x Chipset / Matrix Raid

[BassKozz]

This post has spawned from a post on www.maximumpc.com 's forums HERE

To give a quick synopsis, I am building a file/media server for my house and I plan on housing all my important documents and media from all my computers on this server, so I will be running a Raid array (Most likely Raid 5) on this server? I also want to use SATA drives for this server, I am looking at anywhere from 6 to 10 drives. I would also like to purchase a ?High-End? Mobo so that I can upgrade this server w/ the latest and greatest as time goes on. I don't need a SUPER fast CPU as all I will be doing is streaming files and media, and maybe install MS Exchange on this box...

On to my question:

I was given a recommendation of Intel BOXD955XBKLKR ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

And I like all the features this Mobo has, but I am now stuck with the question of using INTEL's on-board raid support (A.K.A. Intel® Matrix Storage Manager) or a 3rd party PCI/PCI Express add-on RAID controller...

My question is how much CPU cycles will I save "REALLY" w/ going with a PCI/PCI Express RAID controller vs. INTEL's built in RAID controller ?

and...

Are there any good articles anywhere that discuss an indepth look at this motherboard/chipset/Matrix Raid controller and how trust worthy it is ?

I have been told that INTEL's on-board RAID controller is a Hybrid of software/hardware controller and I should definatly stick to a hardware controller but then I pulled this quote off wikipedia:

In rare cases hardware controllers have become faulty, which can result in data loss. Because of this drawback, software RAID is a slightly more reliable and safer option.

So now I don't know which way to turn.
Thanks in advance for any help,
-BassKozz