4-6 port sata card

DataVampire · 8 Jun 2014 at 04:38

on my server I have run out of sata ports.
I have a pcie slot I am not using so would like to use that.

I would like too know of a cheapish card I can use, it must have a min of 4 sata ports, with possibly 6.

The current os I am using is windows 2012 r2 essentials.

At the minute while im learning I would like like to be able to connect x4-6 new hds none raid, but wish to have the ability to do raid 1-10 if I wish in the future.

So can people recommend a cheapish card for this purpose please.
Must be compatible with server essentials and possibly other operating systems, and virtualization in the the future.

Thank you very much

nutcase · 8 Jun 2014 at 08:07

I've used two cards successfully with 2012 R2.

An Intel RS2WC040 (4 port) and an HP P410 (8 port+). I don't think either are particularly cheap at about £100 on the auction site, but they work. The P410 is, better with more upgrade options.

Both are quite old bits of kit now but aren't bad.

beavis · 8 Jun 2014 at 13:01

I'm using a Dell H200 with a SAS to SATA fanout cable. The default Dell firmware is horrid and very slow, but can be flashed to IT mode where it works great with 2012R2. You'll find plenty of them on auction sites for £60+.

Frozennova · 8 Jun 2014 at 15:14

For cheapness you cant beat the Dell SAS 6/ir then flashed with the LSI IT firmware, paid about £10-15 for mine although they usually go for somewhere in the region of £25-30 on auction sites.

Mine is in an ESXi box and then passed through to a Debian Guest