LSI MegaRAID Internal Low-Power SATA/SAS 9260-8i 6Gb/s PCI-Express 2.0 w/ 512MB onboard memory RAID Controller Card, Single--Avago Technologies

Pros: - Fantastic performance with HDDs - Can force write back without a BBU - MegaRAID software is nice

Cons: - Getting suboptimal performance with SSDs in RAID (see other thoughts) - Really could use a fan on the heatsink, especially with BBU present - BBU costs a pretty penny

Overall Review: The card is very nice and gets the job done. I've got it installed on an ASRock Z77 mobo with a 3770K and running Windows HP right now. At the moment this is mostly for testing this card to deploy 9266s and possibly 927X's in builds I do on the X99 chipset. I've also got an LSI BBU08. RAIDs: 1 RAID5 with 4 x 1TB Seagate Barracuda ($50/ea) HDDs - write back with BBU - No disk cache enabled - Getting just over 600MB/s read & write with both benchmarking (Crystaldisk, 4GB x 5) and with real world large (4GB+ ISOs) between this array and SSDs. So 10/10 on this one and couldn't be happier! 1 x RAID0 with 2 x 120GB Samsung EVO 850s (non pro) rated at over 500MB/s read and write - Tried with both write back and Write through - Disk cache enabled (this helped performance of the array) - Crystal Disk benching shows around 750MB/s read but only 350MB/s write. ATTO shows WAY higher, like 1000/1000 (which is what I want to see...) but I'm starting to seriously question which one of these tools is more accurate. Either way, real world file xfers indicated I'm getting very good read speeds off the array, However, when writing a large file to it (either from a SATA connected SSD on my mobo, or from another array on the LSI card) speed starts well and after 10-20 seconds dwindles down to 300-350MB/s. I can NOT get it to perform better. 1 x RAID0 with 2 x 120GB Kingston SSD v300s (mind you these have a "custom sandforce controller built by LSI" - Tried the same settings as w/the above Samusung RAID0 and seeing the same issue with writes. - Even when transferring large files between this RAID0 and the Samsung RAID0 on the same card, and vice versa, I see the same write behavior on both. I did try 3 x 850 EVOs in a RAID-5 also, same thing, no matter what combo of settings I tried on the array. So, I'm left a little troubled as I don't get why SSD arrays don't appear to perform well here, except with ATTO (2GB with a queue depth of 10). For HDD RAIDs though, I'd recommend this to everyone for sure. The MegaRAID app is nice as well and it takes all of 1 minute to configure an array. Initialization on my RAID 5 w/4 1TB drives took all of 2 hours (would have taken about 12+ hrs using on board RAID w/an X79 chipset, based on multiple experiences). I also tested a rebuild of a drive in that array, only took 2 hours, which is great. It (expectedly) killed the write speeds on the array down to <200MB/s during the rebuild. Grab the BBU, but shop around for it (sorry newegg...). You can force write back on your array even without the BBU but you'd be stupid to do so. The chip does run hot as you'll hear from many other reviewers. Mine hasn't got to a level of "too much" concern but I'm putting a fan on it anyway. When you install a BBU the manual even says the max temps you should be allowing are lowered by like 10+ degrees C, so be careful there.

Pros: Audible alarm told me when one of the drives died. Configuring the RAID 5 virtual drive with 4x 3TB Seagate 6GB/s took about 5 hours. If WebBIOS does not work the array can be built from inside the OS using the supplied software. Works with WHS2011 (so far)

Cons: I had to update firmware to make the Battery Back Up work correctly Runs very hot, I found a plastic 2.5” harddrive holder that fits in the next expansion slot to which I could attach 2x80mm fans to blow air onto the heatsink, now it runs nice and cool Does not come with cables

Overall Review: Getting into the WebBIOS to configure the array required setting the MB BIOS “Option ROM Messages” setting to “Force BIOS” and the “Interrupt 19 Capture” option to “Enable”, then it would recognize my Ctrl+H keyboard to enter WebBIOS. WHS 2011 ASUS P8B WS Motherboard Intel Xeon E3-1235 3.2GHx LGA 1155 Processor 8GB (2x4GB) Kingston KVR1333D3E9SK2/8G 2 x 1TB Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM001 Harddrives in a RAID 1 config from Motherboard LSI MegaRAID 9260-8i and optional Battery Backup 4 x 3TB Seagate Barracuda ST3000DM001 Harddrives in a RAID 5 config from LSI controller Antec Titan650 Pedestal Server Case 2x Arctic Cooling F9 92mm Case fans There was one problem in which the UPS truck was hit by a tornado. Kudos to both UPS and Newegg, the claim was processed and I had the replacement order within a week.

Pros: Easy to use GUI to configure Virtual Drives and Drive Spans. Onboard memory makes performance and caching features trustable and quick. LSI always makes great RAID controllers if you go for real hardware RAID. Great low profile size fits easily into any computer case.

Cons: Battery Backup Unit is pricey! For the price you pay, it should be included, in my opinion.

Pros: Works out-of-the-box with ESXi 5.1 Connected 4 WD Raptors in 2x RAID 0 configuration. I'm not using the extra ($$$) battery backup. Instead I plug the entire computer into a CyberPower UPS

Cons: The WebBIOS configuration app (accessible during boot via Ctrl+h) is a little tedious. It's usable though I and I was able to manage setup for the 4 raptors.

Overall Review: Make sure breakout cables have enough length to reach drives. I'm using the 3ware, .5 meter set and it was a little tight. The next set I but will be at least .6 meter in length (though not sure if the longer cables have socket locks).

Pros: great deal on a 8 port card

Cons: was not packaged right box was crushed hope the board is not cracked and still works will let you know

Pros: Relatively easy installation, I am able to run this card either from my UEFI/BIOS or GUI on the desktop, though I need to remember the command to do it for the latter.

Cons: The reviews saying this card gets hot are NOT joking. I only have it under half load, 4 drives in a single RAID5 array, and I'm definitely glad I ordered an internal fan to redirect some airflow over this card. Worst case, get a small fan and some zip ties, you WILL need additional cooling.

Overall Review: Remember to buy adapters for the appropriate type of drive.

Cons: Old and no longer supported by Windows.

Overall Review: You take a chance with Legacy cards working with your stuff. They do work with Linux but not windows.

Overall Review: I bought this after I found out my motherboard's built in SAS controller was not compatible with VMware ESXi. This came at quite a shock and I was certain I'd be stuck paying hundreds of dollars for a replacement, but this worked perfectly. Quick setup and no fuss.