Are RocketRAID 2320 + Gigabyte DS3P Compatible?

[WozNot]

Hi All,

This is my first post here for a long time, am busy putting together a new build and I need some advice please.

I wanted to check if these two devices work together. I will be going for the Gigabyte GA_965P_DS3P motherboard because it's really good value, and I thought I could use the Highpoint RocketRAID 2320 (which requires a x4 PCIe slot) in the extra x16 PCIe slot provided on the Gigabyte.

Will these two devices run properly together at x4 PCIe speeds or not?

Many thanks for your input!

 

[WozNot]

Many thanks for the reply - your name always seems to pop up in RAID related searches!

I would prefer an Areca ARC-1210, which is much quicker - RE your many previous posts regarding the XOR processor. It is also not much more expensive and I don't mind being restricted to 4 SATA ports.

However, the Areca requires a PCIe x8 lane, and the Gigabytes' extra x16 lane will max out at x4, so that appears to rule the Areca out. The other option is to go for a more expensive motherboard, but I can't find ANY in the Intel 965 or 975 chipset that support x8 PCIe speeds for the second x16 PCIe slot!

Does that mean only option is to go up to the full-on 680i chipset?

btw, are you still running with the RocketRAID 2320 setup, or have you upgraded since?

 

[WozNot]

Sheesh, 4 x PCIe 16 slots. The Asus P5W64 WS Pro looks very impressive, but like you say, it is pricey.

I have been scratching around some more and I think I will go for the Asus P5N32-E SLi (not the PLUS version). It is the 680i SLI chipset, and I get the full PCI Express x8 lane. There's the option to add another GPU later, and the extra Gigabit is handy. It's available at an OcUK competitor for £30 less than the P5W64...