SATA controllers

[Chan Chung Hang Christopher]

>> No problems with SIL3124 based fakeraid cards. On the SATA side of 
>> things, there are very few choices beyond onboard Nvidia/ATI that are 
>> SATAII and 4 ports. Only one chipset each from Silicon Image, Jmicron 
>> and Marvell. Marvell does have a PCI-X 8-port solution though.
> 
> I've seen reports that PCI-X cards can hit bus limits (sorry, can't
> remember where) so I'm more inclined toward PCIe variants. Is the
> Sil3132also problem-free as far as you know (I'd need two cards).

PCI-X come in 66Mhz and 133Mhz versions which can push 500MB/s or 
1000MB/s. Assuming 8 disks doing 100MB/s, you should be fine with 
running at 133Mhz. No experience with the Sil3132. Been using a SIL3124 
without issues.


> 
> Areca use the Intel IOP332 and IOP333. A supplier says there are
> problems using those cards in JBOD mode. But they're expensive if a
> simple card plus md raid will work as well.
> 

BBU cache does make a difference over md raid with regards to speed and 
reliability besides less cpu consumption and less bus contention if you 
are planning to do raid5/6.