[globalkiwi]

I'm looking for a good (fast) PCI-E SATA controller - with 4 or 5 internal SATA ports that will enable me to set up a RAID 5 or JBOD array. Can anybody suggest one I should look at?

[globalkiwi]

Oh, I should add that I want to plug this into an EVGA Intel x58 Mobo & will be running Win7 64 bit.

[kmote]

4 ports is fine but the jump is then to 8 ports - which can be a little pricey. What are your actual requirements?

[Hefemeister]

Any reason why you would not use the onboard controller on your mb?

assuming this board:
Newegg.com - EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

9 sata ports and raid5 and jbod supported.

[globalkiwi]

Originally Posted by Hefemeister

Any reason why you would not use the onboard controller on your mb?

9 sata ports and raid5 and jbod supported.

Because I don't have enough Sata connections to connect raid array of 3-4 drives as well as O/S drive, scratch drive, optical drives, etc. Is there a convenient way to expand/multiply the number of Sata connections that would still enable me to use the onboard controller?

[globalkiwi]

Nobody can suggest an alternative strategy?

[Hefemeister]

Take a peek at the selections here:
Newegg.com - Controllers / RAID Cards,SATA II,sata raid controller card

but if I have your board correct it has 9 sata ports and assuming you want 4 raid drives 1 os drive 1 scratch drive 2 dvd drives that = 8 drives.

[globalkiwi]

Thanks, yeah - I've used all 9 ports. I was leaning towards an Addonics port multiplier (system version):
5-Port HPM-XA from Addonics
It has built in hardware Raid, which I believe is faster than software raid. What do you think?

[Hefemeister]

I have not used that card but you are correct that a hardware raid is better than a software raid.

[globalkiwi]

Thanks for the feedback Hefe, I'm going to give this one a whirl I think.