Raid card recommendation

[jbrukardt]

Server specs

#1) 16x 500GB Maxline IIIs (pre seagate purchase ones)
#2) Raid5
#3) Windows server 2003 (this is negotiable)
#4) Opteron 150, 2GB RAM, Foxconn NFPIK8AA

Im looking at three different cards, and was wondering opinions on each.

#1) Areca 1261ML

Pros: This seems to be a proven performer, easy to get, and has a solid track record, blazing fast
Cons: heard issues with glitchy firmware, lack of support, and not liking certain mobos, expensive

#2) Adaptec 31605

Pros: Cheaper, claims better performance and array rebuild times than both 3ware and Areca, however manufacturer only. Nice multilane connectors custom ASIC supporting SAS and some other features (fast rebuild, etc).

Cons: Almost no 3rd party reviews or information at all, 3ware bashed it on their site (classic marketing doublespeak it appears), unknown performance other than from manufacturer.

#3) 3ware 9650SE

Pros: Hmm, not too many, a little cheaper. This one doesnt appeal to me so much

Cons: some performance issues, other general glitchiness (not liking certain HDs)


For some reason the Adaptec 31605 really appeals to me at its price point with features comparable to the Areca 1680 (SAS and other stuff) but I just wish i had someone with personal experience with it or a third party review, or something. The areca is very very nice, but its just so expensive.

Comments, recommendations, anything accepted. Thanks in advance folks

 

[unhappy_mage]

Just throwing another entry in the hat - the LSI 84016E is pretty cheap as compared to those. It's not real clear whether it supports raid 6 or not, if that's a priority.

Alternatively, if you use Solaris (which is free these days), you could run ZFS on whichever cheap controllers you like (and are supported, of course).