Controllers Information
RAID Controllers
If you do not intend to put your hard drives in a RAID array, then you do not need a RAID controller.
Dedicated hardware RAID controllers offer a much better solution for RAID than simple onboard controllers. These have better driver compatibility, work in both Windows and Linux, and support a wider range of array types. They also have dedicated processors, so that no extra load is put on the main CPU. For a high-end RAID solution where performance and stability are important, one of these is a must.
To help you select which one is best for you, match the type of connection available on your motherboard and the number of drives you need. Alternatively, talk to one of our customer service representatives and we can make sure you get the best product for your needs.
For more info on RAID arrays, check out our hardware article.
Other controllers
If you need additional ports above and beyond what your motherboard and case provide, we offer additional controller cards for most common port types.
| StarTech Type C USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbit/s Card | Asus HYPER M.2 X16 Gen 4 Card | Vantec 4-port 5Gbps USB 3.0 Card | Asus IPMI Expansion Card | Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Monitor 4K | LSI 9361-8i SAS/SATA RAID Controller | Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 HDMI PCI-E Capture Card | Blackmagic Design DeckLink IP HD | Blackmagic Design DeckLink IP/SDI HD | Blackmagic Design DeckLink Studio 4K 6G-SDI | Nvidia Quadro Sync II Kit | Broadcom 9500-16i Tri-Mode SAS/SATA/NVME HBA | Blackmagic Design DeckLink 8K Pro Capture Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card Specifications | |||||||||||||
| Manufacturer | Startech | Vantec | Asus | Blackmagic | LSI | Elgato | Blackmagic Design | Blackmagic Design | Blackmagic | Broadcom | Blackmagic | ||
| Type of Ports | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbit/s) | USB 3.0 | Mini-SAS SFF8643 | 10G RJ45 | 10G RJ45, 2x SDI Ports, 1x Sync Output | SlimSAS 8i SFF-8654 | |||||||
| Number of Ports | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |||||
| Port Location(s) | External | Rear | Internal | External | Rear | Rear | Internal | ||||||
| RAID Modes Supported | 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 | ||||||||||||
| Native Supported Disks | 8 | ||||||||||||
| Maximum Supported Disks | 128 | 1024 | |||||||||||
| Battery Backup Available? | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Motherboard Connection | PCI Express x4 | PCI Express x16 | PCI Express x4 | PCI Express x1 | PCI Express x4 | PCI Express x8 | PCI Express x4 | PCI Express x4 | PCI Express x4 | PCI Express x4 | PCI Express x8 | PCI Express x8 | |
| Interface | PCI Express 3.0 x4 | PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 2.0 x4 | PCI Express 3.0 x1 | PCI Express 2.0 x4 | PCI Express 3.0 x8 | PCI Express 2.0 x4 | PCI Express 4.0 x4 | PCI Express 4.0 x4 | PCI Express 2.0 x4 | PCI Express 4.0 x8 | PCI Express 3.0 x8 | |
| Form Factor | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Low/Full Height | Full Height | Full Height | Low Profile | Full Height | ||
| Power Connector(s) | Molex | 6-Pin PCIe | 6-Pin PCIe | 6-Pin PCIe | |||||||||
| Controller Chip | |||||||||||||
| Brand | Asmedia | Aspeed | LSI | ||||||||||
| Model | ASM3242 | AST2600 | LSISAS3108 dual core RAID on Chip (ROC) | ||||||||||
| Memory Amount | 1024 MB | ||||||||||||
| Memory Expandable? | No | ||||||||||||
| Dimensions | |||||||||||||
| Height | 56 mm | 69 mm | 138 mm | 111 mm | 67 mm | ||||||||
| Width | 14 mm | 20 mm | 20 mm | 19 mm | 155 mm | ||||||||
| Depth | 122 mm | 183 mm | 138 mm | 152 mm | |||||||||
| Net Weight | 0.175 kg | 0.075 kg | 0.14 kg | 0.291 kg | 0.331 kg | 0.102 kg | 0.162 kg | 0.162 kg | 0.331 kg | 0.341 kg | 0.1 kg | 0.331 kg |