Difference between low-end RAID controllers

[jrbryner]

I'm looking at replacing an old on-board RAID controller with a PCI one. I just want a RAID 1 Mirror array setup. I was looking at Newegg's selection and trying to figure out the best to get and came along a few sub $50 ones. As far as I can tell, they all use the Silicon Image 680 chip, but the boards all look different and the prices are different.

There's the SIIG - $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815150044
Says in the manual that it uses the Silicon Image 680 driver.

Then the Rosewill - $12.49
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16816132004
Which says in the description on Newegg's site that it uses 0680.

There's a couple others in the ~$20 range that use the 680
And there's one from Syba for $13.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815124001
That doesn't say what it uses, but you can see the Silicon Image logo on the chip

So, what's the differences between all these? If they're all using the same chip, why not get the cheapest and get the drivers from Silicon Image? Which would be best for a basic RAID 1 setup (needs to be very reliable though).

 

[rodsfree]

So, what's the differences between all these? If they're all using the same chip, why not get the cheapest and get the drivers from Silicon Image? Which would be best for a basic RAID 1 setup (needs to be very reliable though).

I'd guess that they are really about the same....
Packaging, Warrenty, number and location of connectors and stuff like that could be different.
But the SiI chip is what determines what the card can do.