4 Port SATA Adapter

Skiddley · 20 Jan 2017 at 17:26

Guys,

I need to extend my NAS server, as the exiting 6x SATA 3 ports on the motherboard are used. I have a mini-itx board with 1x PCI-E 3.0 x16 slot free, and need a 4 port SATA 3 adapter.

From searching, the affordable options are the High point 640L Lite, and a StarTech card + a few other garbage looking options.

RAID isn't in play here, but I do want quick read\write performance (~100MB/S would suffice). What is critical, is Win 10 support, and stability.

Any recommendations?

Skiddley · 20 Jan 2017 at 20:19

Thanks.

Noticed that the startech one supports Port Multiplying on one of the ports, so theoretically supports 7 drives from a 4 port controller (one port can host 4 drives).

Anyone done this? Sound like black magic.

Skiddley · 21 Jan 2017 at 09:45

Win 10. Yes the startech is Marvell, so I'll take a punt on that and see how it performs.

Data is predominately media, the NAS runs our DLNA server (Mezzmo) primarially, plus provides backup to my work laptop. I'm not running RAID, but instead use pairs of drives hosting the same data, with nightly syncs between the two (robocopy). I only expose the 'primary' drives to clients (i.e., the apps serving clients). The need for doubling down on disks is part of the reason why I need more ports

I may relegate the secondary\backup drives to the startech controller as the onboard one hasn't missed a beat so far.

Not running freeNAS.

Thanks all.

Skiddley · 30 Jan 2017 at 16:24

So I installed the Startech SATA 3 4 Port PCI-Express card today. No issue at all so far.

Brings the disk capacity up to 10 drives in my NAS now, or 13 if I use Port Multiplication.

Plan is to run another 2 mech drives, for an array of 4 pairs. The OS runs on an M2 SSD hidden behind the mobo. You can just see the Startech controller under the PSU.

Skiddley · 30 Jan 2017 at 21:26

rotor said:
Really nice build. What case is that?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/lian-li-pc-q25b-mini-itx-cube-black-ca-433-ll.html