3Ware 9650SE-8LPML SATA2 Hardware RAID Controller Kit - 9650SE-8LPML-KIT

3ware 9650SE-8LPML PCI-Express x4 RAID Controller CardSupports RAID: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, Single Disk, and JBOD256M Cache (BBU Module is HIGHLY Recommend for write caching)Connectors: 2x Multi-Lane SFF-8087Cables: Two SATA Forward breakout cables supplied. (1x Mini-SAS to 4x SATA converter, 0.6M)Also includes the mounting bracket to switch to low-format mode. This will also work with the BBU attached if you need to mount it in a short slot. The card does get quite warm though so keep cooling in mind.Support in almost all operating systems (Linux/MAC/Windows) (Built-in Native support in most new versions of Linux flavors making install super simple.)If it came with the BBU, I'd give it a full 5 stars... I think the 'kit' should... Still, this is a great product at a pretty good price.Details:I bought two 3ware 9659SE-8LPML cards for a matching set of large RAID6 servers. The one problem with these cards is they don't come with the BBU (Battery Backup Unit) by default (Part: BBU-MODULE-03) which is highly stressed for enabling write caching (A good UPS could be the other possibility but... if it fails... a bad write could corrupt the drive).One of my cards failed shortly after initial setup. (It happens, especially with 'some companies' shipping habits... Not a bid deal but something that had to be handled...)So I had to replace it. Then due to my common luck; the original place of purchase was out so I had to RMA for refund only and hunt for another one. Amazon to the rescue! Granted it cost a tad more than the OEM, however, this is the full KIT, not just the OEM board which I had before. So in reality, it's cheaper considering it comes with two forward breakout cables for the SFF-8087 mini-SAS to SATA drives which cost around $30 each alone. So I should have done this the first time...This does use PCI-Express x4 due to the 8 channel setup (x8 and x16 is fine also). If you have only PCI-Express x1 capability left, you might need to look at other options.It only supports SATA 3G (or SAS). If you're building a SPEED critical system, you might want to get the newer SATA 6G version even for SATA 3G drives... It will improve your speeds believe it or not. However for me this was just a long-term file server with a mirror so speed wasn't as critical and this saves quite a few bills. Even so, this is a very fast performer. Just not the king of the heap.All in all - a known good 8-port RAID card and this one includes the SFF-8087 mini-SAS -to- SATA breakout cables. Nice package. If they added the BBU, it would be perfect...Using this system with eight Samsung HD154UI 1.5TB drives in a RAID 6 configuration with no Hot Spares (9TB total drive (6 data 2 error); really more like 8.3TB usable but.. we know how that really goes...). I'm running two systems that mirror each other so I'd have to lose 6 drives (3 from each system) at the same time to lose all data. Anything can happen but for a total systems budget of four grand, this is a pretty secure way to get a ton of very secure storage using very inexpensive equipment.I choose this RAID card instead of the others available due to my history with 3ware (and many other) cards. 3ware makes a good raid card, honestly in my opinion, the best bang for the buck. I hope LSI improves to the 3ware level now that they own 3ware. Let's all wish them the best and hope they do. This comes in an LSI branded box but still is the same 3ware product.

Ordered this as a replacement for a card of the same model that was failing in a server that ran a couple of TV stations. Was shipped overnight and got here right when advertised. Card works great. Was concerned that the newer firmware and drivers might cause some problems with existing data, and potentially need to rebuild or worse, but that wasn't the case, of course your mileage may very. Make sure you update the drivers as instructed as there are some bug fixes for the new firmware. Very happy with the purchase.

The card has been running RAID 6 unit array solidly and problem free since 2009 in a home server. One needs to spend time to read manuals and be clear on procedures for unit maintenance such as HDD replacement and keep up with software updates.

This is a good product. But is this is your first raid card. You may run back and forth to complete your configuration.

I had used a 3Ware 9650SE card in my old system for quite a long time. I purchased this new one for replacing it. the existing RAID 10 array keeps working like a charm!The package came with two SAS to 4 SATA cables.This is no instructions included on drivers. I have the old drivers downloaded and installed already on the old Win 8.1 system . Yet to see it works on my new Win 10 OS.