Best choice for RAID controller?

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Sherk

2[H]4U
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Jan 12, 2008
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I'm looking to create a RAID 5 array with 4 WD 640 GB hard drives.

Basically, what's the best choice given no more than really $200-250?

I had at one point a really nice IDE RAID controller (can't remember who made it) with a memory slot, holding 256MB of memory. I had 4 200 GB drives for a RAID 5 array that was a decent size a few years ago...

I see a Highpoint card that looks decent on the egg, with 128MB of cache. However, it only has 2 SATA ports, and doesn't look to have a 4 port big brother.

Am I better off going with a PERC6/E with 256MB? I really don't have much of a clue on what's good right now, that's why I'm asking some (possibly dumb) questions.

Oh, I should also note the intended purpose - I want a fast storage system for dsitributing large files at LAN parties (game updates and the like... ya know). The server it's going in is going to serve a few roles, mostly as a home file server for myself (backup duties, archives of games and software), but will also be the main game server at several LAN parties hosted for friends and colleagues.

I plan on having everything on one of the Gigabyte motherboards that can team ethernet ports (most likely a 4 port P45 board). Paired with a fast processor (probably a Q9550) and 16GBs of memory, with Windows Server 2008.
 
That looks like a nice card... how is Areca in terms of reliability?

I haven't heard of them before now, but then again I'm just recently getting back into the swing of technology...
 
Areca is very well respected here at the [H]orde.
 
Nice. I'm leaning towards the Areca 4 port card now as well.

I haven't really looked at too many systems, I'm on a 56k dialup right now. I'm trying to convince housemates that it's a good idea to get satellite internet out here in the boonies...

Maybe I'll just spring for the $50 or so a month myself.

Thanks for the [H]eads up guys!
 
I'd say go with something that fits your budget from Areca unless you need or want SAS support as well. In which case I think LSI is the way to go.
 
Danny Bui said:
Another vote for Areca. If these guys are using Areca cards for their multi-terabyte storage servers, that should tell you about their quality and reliability:
Ockie's Galaxy 5.0
gjvrieze's Plutonium 3
odditory's 48 Terabyte Media Server
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links!

I thought I had been everywhere at the [H] forums... but that area was new to me. I took me a long time to read thru the threads, but it was worth it! Thanks very much for the links!
 
Sherk said:
Nice. I'm leaning towards the Areca 4 port card now as well.

I haven't really looked at too many systems, I'm on a 56k dialup right now. I'm trying to convince housemates that it's a good idea to get satellite internet out here in the boonies...

Maybe I'll just spring for the $50 or so a month myself.

Thanks for the [H]eads up guys!
Click to expand...

there's something wrong with this picture :) a multi-thousand dollar high-end RAID server and 56k dial-up don't match.
 
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