Best Cheap Raid Controller

nanaki333

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2002
3,772
13
81
Sup yal? Looking for a SATA3 raid controller that can push 2 SSDs in raid0 at nearly max, much like the onboard intel stuff. Anybody use anything they can recommend? I'm going to add a second 480GB SSD to my current steam drive since I'm getting pretty darn close to the end of the drive. Don't want to get a cheap $75 one and it only gives me like 50% the performance, but also don't want to spend $300+ on a legit hardware raid card just for my workstation. Figured maybe somebody else here did trial and error and found a nice in-between card that gives you a pretty good percentage of onboard.

I did some google searches and found a card, I can't remember the exact brand, but it was actually better than onboard intel raid. Problem was, it was a $600 hardware raid card. I also found a review of a cheap $75 card, but most of the performance numbers were in the toilet, save for the sequential numbers.

EDIT: I have an Intel x79 board, so I only have the 2 SATA3 Intel ports. No marvel parts :(
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
A used LSI-based SAS card, maybe (you'll then need to buy a cable for it, most likely, too)?

If you only want to deal with new HW, then just use your Intel 3Gbps ports. You'll be better off with that than a cheap Adaptec, Highpoint, or 3Ware RAID card, or a stock SIL or Marvell card.
 

Owls

Senior member
Feb 22, 2006
735
0
76
No such thing as best and cheap in technology. Lsi has the card you are looking for in the 300 price range 9260-4i
 

Burner27

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
4,452
50
101
No such thing as best and cheap in technology. Lsi has the card you are looking for in the 300 price range 9260-4i


I was reading that the LSI 9260-4i cards don't work in Z77-based motherboards. Is that still the case?
 

mxnerd

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2007
6,799
1,103
126
I just bought an Adaptec 3405 on eBay for 49 bucks. Performance not so good, even with battery. The reason I bought it is it supports 3TB drives with updated firmware, but oh well.

Besides, it makes my Gigabyte Z68 motherboard can only boot from the adapter, nothing else, my ASROCK Z68 motherboard works fine though.

Better get an LSI.
 
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Owls

Senior member
Feb 22, 2006
735
0
76
4i and 8i are the same just more channels. There is very little reason it wouldn't work. Get it from newegg or amazon in case it doesn't work so you can return. I have a 9260 4i in my production server otherwise I'd pull it and test for you