Windows 10: SATA 6 GBps RAID Card Recommendation

I'm looking to do away with my standalone NAS and combine it's functionality with my always-on Windows Server. I have three spinner drives purchased and want to use an add-in RAID controller card. Does anyone have recommendations for one that won't break the bank? The motherboard does have onboard RAID, but I would rather utilize an add-in card. Some of the onboard ports are in use, and if I use a card, it can be moved to another system, if needed.

I have an older HighPoint RocketRAID card that works, except it is only a 3GBps card.

:)

 

Windows 10 Upgrade messed up HDDs with FAMILY PHOTOS!!!

A bit of research shows that the 'Intel 6 series / C200 series 6 port SATA/AHCI Controller' is hardware RAID capable; if you had space inside the machine for this pair of disks, that may provide the optimal set-up although initial set-up is quite complex.

In any case, bypassing the eSata controller card and enclosure would be beneficial* even if you stick with the software RAID provided under Disk Management.

* although you'd need to weigh up the disadvantage of not being able to unplug them / put them in a safe / grab them in a house fire etc.

 

INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE

We recommend downloading and installing the SATA RAID controller driver compatible for the SSD drive. For proper assistance, we recommend contacting your computer manufacturer.

Feel free to post again if you have other concerns.

 

Here's an article from nerdtechy on this topic you might find interesting: Best PCIe RAID Controller Cards 2017-2018 - Nerd Techy. Let me know if you're looking for more server-grade stuff and I will make different recommendations or provide different pointers. FWIW, I've used lots of StarTech stuff purchased through Newegg over the years, and it usually works just fine.
HTH,
--Ed--

 

Thanks for the link! I'll delve into their choices, but I'm thinking none of them do RAID5. I know the Vantec card doesn't, but I'll investigate further. I'm planning to use RAID5.

 

Check out this techpowerup forum thread: Best Raid Controller Card? | TechPowerUp Forums. Looks like LSI and Adaptec (a name I know from the old days quite well) still remain pretty positive. Over at Newegg, based on "best rating" rankings 3ware looks good, too: RAID 5 controller - Newegg.com.
Thanks,
--Ed--

 

I had a recommendation on another forum for an LSI MegaRAID 9260-4i card. $40...can't beat that!

 

Great price, indeed. For that kind of $$$$ if you don't like it, you can afford to trash it, and buy a different one. That's definitely the kind of hardware I like to buy, too.
Thanks for sharing,
--Ed--

 

Hi there.

@DeaconFrost

Sorry to throw my spanner into the works here or disturb the party but:

IMO any sort of cheap Consumer Grade Hardware RAID card isn't worth it (not talking about high quality commercial server stuff etc. such as SAS but that's a different order of magnitude of expense !!).

I've found the best solution is to buy something like a cheap HP ProLiant Gen 8 / Gen 10 Microserver to use as a NAS --install iinux on it and use built in mdadm -Software RAID - using Native bus speeds of the server.

Linux software RAID is fine, you can mix and match HDD devices --can be of different capacities (the microservers have 4 built in HDD bays plus DVD / SSD port). Also with Software raid you don't have to worry about finding drivers for your system too. Linux software RAID is extremely efficient as well.

Windows in general as an always on "headless" server isn't really a good idea -- Linux is the overwhelming choice for that.

Windows Servers are excellent at providing a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for remote users etc -- i.e you log on to a company VPN and then get a Windows desktop with corporate applications such as Ms Office etc which is fine but as "classical Servers" I'd tend to avoid if poss.

Nothing wrong with Windows in the right environment but for a classical NAS type server the wrong tool for the job.

Cheers
jimbo

 

To each his own, Jimbo. Thanks for sharing your insights with us.
--Ed--

 

Hi there

@EdTittel.

Nothing wrong with Windows --sorry if I gave that impression -- it's just for things like NAS I still don't believe it's the right tool for the job -- don't get me wrong --over the years I've done loads of things that without Windows would not be possible so in no way I'm anti-Windows --just I think for a lot of Networking type stuff there are better solutions !!!!.

Cheers
jimbo

 

No, your input is very welcome. The old saying "Give a kid a hammer, and everything becomes a nail!" comes to mind in this context. Just because we can use Windows do to certain things is by no means a guarantee that it's the best, most cost-effective, or easiest way to do it, period. I always like being reminded that there are other and possibly better ways to proceed. Our old buddy @Kari in fact does it your way, too, I believe.
--Ed--

 

I appreciate the insights, but this is actually going to replace a standalone NAS. However, it is going to do more than just data storage. My Western Digital EX4 has been running like a champ, but I'm likely going to sell it or give it to my Dad. Anyway, Windows works very well as a headless server. If you are running non-Enterprise hardware, you just have to make sure the BIOS is set to boot without a keyboard present. If so, you'll have no issues.

My server is going to be a local domain controller, NAS replacement, and likely an internal-only web server for myself and my wife to use for some other home projects. It's running on home brew hardware, but it boots fine with only power and network connected. I wanted a standalone card, so if there's an issue with the motherboard, or I want to upgrade the mobo later on, I can do so without having to migrate data off the array, rebuild, and then move it back.