Recommend a good RAID controller

D

Deluded

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
1,376
I am doing a project with my friend, and we are looking into the cheapest quality RAID controller. We are planning to have 4 SSDs (for now) and up to 10 SSDs in a RAID0 configuration (later). I don't know much about RAID controllers that can handle SSDs in RAID0, which is why I'm turning to this community.

This computer is going to be a prototype of a sort for our future clients (very heavy photoshop, 3D Max 2010/11, Maya, Illustrator...basically any major software with file size in excess of 4-5 Gb), so we were looking into setting up something that can handle that.

Oh, we know of the risks going in RAID0 configuration with multiple drives, we're going to do daily full system backup, connected to UPS, the whole works.

So far, I've found these drives:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816116042

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816116075

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16816116044

Obviously that $329 RAID controller seems to be best out of all, but I'd like you guys to look over these and give me your opinions.

Price should be hopefuly below $300-400, the lower, the better. We are willing to stretch a little bit for quality.


TL;DR, Cliff notes:
1. I need a good RAID0 controller that can handle 4 SSD in RAID0 configuration.
2. Should be below $300-400.
3. Lower, better.
 
dude not one of those controllers will even begin to handle the random transaction speed of ssd at low latencies. you will need a 9211-4i. it will smoke anything out there at the price point you are looking at. it is a HBA with integrated raid.
 
yes not only am i sure i am POSITIVE. this controller has pulled over 200k in random 4k IOPS with an eight intel setup. these results below are eight vertex.
for an array of that speed you will need a 6gb/s controller, period. there is only really the LSI series of 6gb/s controllers out right now that are any good. this might change when areca manages to release the 1880, which is months and months overdue. they are having issues w/ it so im not sure i would reccomend waiting. i have a ton of info and specs on this raid card and the 9260 as well. also there are comparisons with other controllers on a forum i frequent. you do not need cache, this card outperforms a 1231 in head to head testing, and the 1231 had 4gb of cache. there is a forum i frequent where those result sare. i can give you much much more info if you are interested. there is a large ggroup of individuals using these and 9260 controllers at XS, and ocz forums.
some of my results...


9211bootssarray-1.png
 
I am interested... could you please give a little bit of information?

I do not mind buying used or new, though I see that the newegg link I found does not come with a cable that can connect to four SATA... What is that cable? What am I looking for?

Appreciate all the help. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top