Rich Freeman wrote: > On Tue, Jun 4, 2024 at 7:56 AM Dale <rdalek1...@gmail.com> wrote: >> Rich Freeman wrote: >>> On Tue, Jun 4, 2024 at 2:44 AM Dale <rdalek1...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> The little SATA controllers I currently use tend to only need PCIe x1. >>>> That is slower but at least it works. >>> The LSI cards will work just as well in a 1x. That is, assuming you >>> only plug as many drives into it as you do one of those SATA HBAs and >>> don't expect miraculous bandwidth out of them. >> So the LSI controllers are a option, just a little slower. Cool. > No, they're just as fast if not faster than the SATA controllers. > > The LSI HBA in a 1x slot will be slower than the LSI HBA in a 4x slot, > which will be slower than an LSI HBA in an 8x slot. That is, assuming > you're bandwidth-limited. > > The SATA controller you're used to can't put any more data through a > 1x slot than an LSI HBA. The reason the HBA has an 8x slot is so that > it can move larger amounts of data. The SATA board is marketed to > consumers who care more about cramming more drives into their system > than whether those drives operate at full performance. They also tend > to have fewer ports- if you only are adding 2 SATA ports, then a 1x > slot isn't a huge bottleneck. > > The bottom line is that if you are using an older v2 HBA, then it can > transfer 500MB/s per PCIe lane. If you're only transferring 100MB/s > then it doesn't matter how many lanes you have. If you're > transferring 4GB/s then the number of lanes becomes critical if you > need to sustain that bandwidth. If you're using the HBA to cram 4 > 5400 RPM HDDs into your system that is a very different demand > compared to adding 16 Micron enterprise SSDs.
That is what was in my head. It just didn't quite make it to the keyboard. Basically, it will be slower in a x4 slot compared to a x8 slot. Of course, x1 will be slower than them all. I keep forgetting that you can put a x4 card in a x1 slot and it still work, just slower. That also explains why they have mechanical x16 slots for electrical x4 cards. Why not just cut out the end so the x part is more obvious by the length of the slot but any card will fit??? As it is, you have to look for the pins to see if it is x1, x4, x8 or a full x16 slot. >> The >> main reason I wanted to go with the SAS to SATA controller, number of >> drives I can connect. Keep in mind, I need to get to almost 20 drives >> but with only one card. > Yup, getting 8/16 SATA disks on one HBA isn't a problem. Depending on > how fast those drives are and your data access patterns, the number of > PCIe lanes might or might not be an issue. Just add up your total > data transfer rate and look up the PCIe specs. > I'm thinking one good HBA will handle the current set of drives and give decent speed at that in the Fractal case when the new mobo ends up there. The Fractal can handle 20 that I can count easily. There's 4 in the bottom, 11 in a tall stack for 3.5". Then there is others for SSD which I think can be changed to 3.5" drives. Plus, I might could add a couple cages in that massive case with a little rigging. Then again, there is this thing. https://www.ebay.com/itm/326063682173 Pardon me. I was drooling again. LOL In my new rig, I'm going to wait until I get the thing here and then figure out what to do. See what is the best option. Then again. This has cables that come with it and price is good. Your thoughts? https://www.ebay.com/itm/116051832382 How many SATA drives that allow? It says 8 ports. I think each port is 4 drives. 8 x 4 = 32. Am I right? Keep in mind, one of my large LVMs is for torrent files. It just goes as fast as the controller will allow. It just takes longer to share with a slower card. I need a really good mobo to make a NAS type rig out of and put it in the Fractal case. PCIe slots is a must tho. Those just not happening. May have to find a used server mobo or something. Dale :-) :-)
