LSI 9271-8i RAID controller used in a MicroATX build, good idea, or not?

Based on this concept I made of a build using the Rampage IV Gene motherboard with only four PCI Express slots:



...is it a good idea to sandwich an LSI 9271-8i like this? I was planning on using an Antec spot cool fan positioned near the PSU and angled it up towards the controller card.

If not, I'm considering ditching the LSI and just using two SSDs plugged into the motherboard and using the native X79 RAID. I'm thinking the LSI should really be used in scenarios where there's more airflow, i.e. >= ATX-sized motherboards where I can space out the cards more.

I don't know, opinions welcome.

It's fine you just need air running over the heatsink. So put a nice fan in the front of the case. I've got the same setup albeit with a larger board but the HBA is right under the video card and above the sound card just like in your picture and the HBA is an adaptec card which runs much hotter in my opinion and I don't have any problems whatsoever keeping it cool. As long as your wiring is clean and you've got a good fan in the front of the case you'll be fine.

Sounds good. I'll have two 120mm fans up top pulling in air going through the H100i, then another two 120mm fans on the front, again, pulling in air. I'm considering bolting an Antec Spot Cool fan down hear the PSU, and angling it up towards the HBA, that should be enough I think.

I originally had something similar. I ended up ditching the PCI cooler. But it can't hurt either.

So don't have any fan pointing directly over the card, only using the front case fans?

Those RAID cards tend to run hot. They're designed to be ran in rackmounted servers with lots of front to rear airflow. Sandwiching the cards isn't an issue as long as you get enough air movement from the front and out the back.

What are you using the LSI for? If you are just striping SSDs, the motherboard RAID is good enough.

You're right, I've read these cards get hot, and when they overheat the array can go down or a drive will randomly disappear. To be honest I don't like sandwiching them like this and usually space cards out, but really want to be able to use 4 x Samsung 840 Pro's with this card.

I'm considering the LSI 9271-8i simply for a RAID 0 setup, not primarily for speed (although that is a factor I'm considering), but so I can have a large drive for apps, games, data, etc. I backup regularly anyway so RAID 0 isn't an issue. If I use the X79 RAID, I suppose I'll need 2 x Samsung 840 Pro's in 512 GB capacity, instead of 256 GB.

I tried finding a comparison of X79 RAID vs HBA, so far I haven't found anything. If you have a link I'd appreciate seeing it. If HBA speeds aren't that much more, on-board X79 RAID would be fine, plus I could potentially have TRIM support too.

you won't have issues with overheating, just make sure your graphics card doesnt' get in the way and it will be fine

Ok. Do you think a low-profile sound card, such as the HT Omega eClaro, would be better in the 'sandwiched' setup? Help distribute air around the HBA? The Creative ZX is a full height card, probably no difference I'd imagine.

I would be more concerned with that many PCIe devices functioning properly together. PCIe RAID cards get finicky when combined with other PCIe devices (video cards, sounds cards, etc.).

REDYOUCH said:

I would be more concerned with that many PCIe devices functioning properly together. PCIe RAID cards get finicky when combined with other PCIe devices (video cards, sounds cards, etc.).

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<sigh> Good point, I saw this in the motherboard manual:



All four PCI Express slots use shared IRQs.

Makes planning this build tough, unless I can find someone else that's got this configuration.

capov643 said:

So don't have any fan pointing directly over the card, only using the front case fans?

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You can use something like a Aerocool Shark Red Edition 120mm x 25mm High Air Pressure Fan, which pushes a good amount of air but doesn't sound like a rocket ship either. As for the rest of your concerns regarding IRQ conflicts I would think your larger concern is making sure there's enough BIOS RAM. You'll run into problems with that before you come close to having an issue with IRQ's.

I'm considering the LSI 9271-8i simply for a RAID 0 setup, not primarily for speed

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Why not go with the 9271-4i or 9260-4i if you just need 4 ports?

If you don't care about RAID why not just use them as Dynamic disks?

If HBA speeds aren't that much more, on-board X79 RAID would be fine,

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You'll need LSI's FastPath software to make a difference.