DISCRETE
AMCC 3ware
9650SE-4LPML
The 9650SE-4LPML
represents AMCC’s
entry-level RAID con-
troller. It runs off a PCI
Express x4 interface
and supports a decent
array of RAID confi gu-
ration options: 0, 1, 5, 1+0, and JBOD.
The card boasts an onboard 266MHz PowerPC CPU,
which does its part to keep your general computer opera-
tions separate from the RAID equation. However, we
ask ourselves: Is 266MHz enough? In the grand scheme
of things, especially given that our test machine runs a
quad-core Q6700 processor, will such a relatively under-
powered onboard chip have much of an impact on our
benchmarks?
The controller also comes with 256MB of onboard
DDR2 memory. SATA
drives are connected
via a single multilane
port using an included
breakaway cable.
$400, http://www.3ware.comCONNECTION PCI Express x4
RAID SUPPORT 0, 1, 5, 1+0, JBOD
PROCESSOR 266MHz
MEMORY 256MB DDR2
CONNECTION One multilane connectorSPECSHOST-BASED
LSI Logic
MegaRAID SAS
8208ELPOn paper, LSI Logic’s
MegaRAID SAS
8208ELP controller
looks like a respectable
contender at the entry-
level end of the RAID marketplace. The controller doesn’t use an
onboard processor to shuffl e RAID duties from your CPU to the
card, but it remains to be seen if this will have a demonstrable
effect on next-generation computing systems.
The card does come with two separate multilane connectors
for adding up to eight SATA devices with the breakaway cables
that come included. You can then slap these drives into one of
four RAID confi gurations: 0, 1, 5, or 1+0.
In practice, we found this PCI Express x4-based card to be
quite frustrating, primarily because the drivers LSI shipped with the
card fl at-out didn’t work. A
quick run to LSI’s website
for updated drivers fi xed
the problem, but the fact
remains: Out of the box, the
8208ELP does not function.
$315, http://www.lsi.comDISCRETE
LSI Logic
MegaRAID SAS
8888ELPThankfully, the 8888ELP
works straight out of
the box with the drivers
LSI provides. As well
it should—this is the
company’s high-end RAID product, designed as a discrete-
performing controller for handling RAID 1, 5, 6, 1+0, 50, and
60 arrays. The controller itself comes with the same two inter-
nal multilane connectors as the 8208ELP, with an additional
two external connectors located on the rear of the card.
The 8888ELP attaches to your machine using a PCI
Express x8 connector. The CPU itself chugs along at
500MHz. This, plus the controller’s 256MB of DDR2 memo-
ry, should help the card hold its own in our RAID benchmark
showdown. It will also
give us an interest-
ing comparison point:
What’s more important,
a faster processor or
more memory?
$945, http://www.lsi.comDISCRETE
AMCC 3ware
9650SE-24M8
The high-end version
of AMCC’s 9650SE
RAID controller is a bit
bulkier than the 4LPML
card—and that’s due
to its extra connection
ports. You get three
multilane connectors on the large 24M8 card—for a maxi-
mum of 24 drives, with the appropriate breakaway cables, of
course. The controller attaches to your motherboard using a
PCI Express x8 connection.
This card expands upon the 4LPML’s RAID options in a rath-
er dramatic fashion by supporting 0, 1, 5, 6, 1+0, 50, and JBOD.
That puts it nearly on par with Adaptec’s 5405 controller.
We’re mildly taken aback by this pricey card’s paltry
power potential, as the 24M8 runs a 266MHz processor,
just like its far less expensive cousin. While this controller
has double the RAM
(512MB) of the 4LPML,
we’re skeptical that this
will provide a huge per-
formance boost.
$1,600, http://www.3ware.com48 MAXIMUMPC | MAY 08 | http://www.maximumpc.com
CONNECTION PCI Express x4
RAID SUPPORT 0,1, 5,1+0
PROCESSOR None
MEMORY None
CONNECTION Two multilane connectorsSPECS
CONNECTION PCI Express x8
RAID SUPPORT 0,1, 5,6, 1+0, 50, 60
PROCESSOR 500MHz
MEMORY 256MHz
CONNECTION Four multilane connectorsSPECSCONNECTION PCI Express x8
RAID SUPPORT 0,1,5, 6,1+0, 50, JBOD
PROCESSOR 266MHz
MEMORY 512MB DDR2
CONNECTION Three multilane connectorsSPECSMAXIMUMPC
CHALLENGEANOTHER