LSI SAS9300-24I Pcie Sas Raid Controller Noctua Cooling Fan SAS9305-16I X8 16-PORT 60MM

( Brand: Lsi ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: SAS9300-24I ), ( Part Type: Controller Fan ), ( Compatible Brand: Universal ), ( Connectors: Sas ), ( Compatible Port: Pci Express X8 ), ( Product Line: 9300 Series )

Review LSI Pcie X8 16-port Sas Raid Controller Noctua 60mm Cooling Fan

The **LSI SAS9300-24i (SAS9005-8i) and SAS9305-16i PCIe x8 16-Port SAS RAID Controller** paired with a **Noctua NF-A6x15 PWM 60mm cooling fan** represents a high-performance, enterprise-grade storage solution designed for demanding environments where reliability, scalability, and efficiency are paramount. This combination delivers a robust foundation for building or upgrading a storage array, server, or NAS system, catering to both small-to-medium businesses and power users seeking advanced data management capabilities. The **LSI SAS9300 series** controllers are built on the proven **LSI MegaRAID SAS9300 platform**, offering a blend of hardware RAID acceleration and software-based RAID management through the intuitive **MegaRAID Storage Manager (MSM)** or **MegaCLI** utilities. With **16 internal SAS ports** (via the SAS9305-16i variant) or a combination of internal and external ports (depending on the model), this controller supports a wide range of storage configurations, including HDDs, SSDs, and hybrid arrays, while maintaining backward compatibility with older SAS/SATA drives. The **PCIe x8 interface** ensures high-speed data transfer rates, leveraging the full bandwidth of the PCIe 3.0 standard (up to 8 GT/s per lane) to minimize latency and maximize throughput, making it ideal for high-performance workloads such as virtualization, database management, or media processing.

The inclusion of the **Noctua NF-A6x15 PWM 60mm fan** elevates the cooling performance of the setup, addressing the thermal challenges posed by continuous operation in high-density environments. Noctua fans are renowned for their **low noise levels, exceptional airflow efficiency, and long-term reliability**, with the **NF-A6x15** delivering a balanced combination of performance and quiet operation. The **PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control** allows the fan to dynamically adjust its speed based on system temperature, ensuring optimal cooling without unnecessary noise, which is particularly beneficial in server rooms or home labs where acoustic comfort is a consideration. The **60mm size** strikes a practical balance between airflow capacity and physical footprint, fitting seamlessly into most server chassis while providing sufficient cooling for the controller and adjacent components. Together, the **LSI SAS9300-24i/9305-16i and Noctua fan** form a cohesive solution that not only enhances storage performance but also contributes to the overall stability and longevity of the system.

For users prioritizing **flexibility and expandability**, the LSI SAS9300 series supports **hot-swap drives**, **cache battery backup**, and **multi-path I/O (MPIO)** for redundancy and fault tolerance. The controller s **hardware-based RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60)** enable users to implement data protection strategies tailored to their needs, whether for performance optimization, data redundancy, or a mix of both. Additionally, the **LSI MegaRAID OS (MOS)** and **Virtual Disk (VD) management** features allow for advanced configurations, including **thin provisioning, snapshots, and replication**, which are invaluable for environments requiring disaster recovery or efficient resource allocation. The **Noctua fan s premium build quality** further complements this setup by reducing the risk of thermal throttling or component failure over extended periods, ensuring that the RAID controller operates at peak efficiency under sustained workloads.

Whether deployed in a **high-availability server cluster, a home lab for storage testing, or a professional NAS setup**, this combination of the **LSI SAS9300-24i/9305-16i and Noctua 60mm fan** delivers a compelling blend of **performance, reliability, and quiet operation**. The result is a storage solution that not only meets the demands of modern data-intensive applications but also provides the peace of mind that comes with enterprise-grade hardware and thoughtful cooling design. For those seeking a balance between raw power and operational efficiency, this pairing is an excellent choice.

The Dell LSI SAS9300-24i and SAS9305-16i are high-end SAS RAID controllers designed for enterprise storage solutions, particularly in environments requiring high performance, reliability, and scalability. Below is a detailed breakdown of their pros and cons, followed by a concluding recommendation.

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### **Pros**

1. **High Performance and Throughput**

The SAS9300-24i and SAS9305-16i are built on LSI s MegaRAID SAS 92xx series, which supports high-speed SAS 6Gb/s and SAS 12Gb/s (depending on the model and configuration). They deliver exceptional read/write speeds, low latency, and high input/output operations per second (IOPS), making them ideal for demanding workloads such as databases, virtualization, and high-performance computing. The PCIe x8 interface ensures minimal bottlenecking when connected to modern servers.

2. **Enterprise-Grade Reliability**

LSI (now owned by Broadcom) is a trusted name in enterprise storage, known for robust hardware and firmware stability. These controllers feature advanced error correction, data integrity mechanisms, and redundancy options (such as battery-backed cache and RAID levels like RAID 10 or 6). They are designed for 24/7 operation in mission-critical environments.

3. **Scalability and Flexibility**

The controllers support a large number of drives (up to 24 for the SAS9300-24i and 16 for the SAS9305-16i) via SAS expanders or direct connections. They are compatible with a wide range of storage configurations, including SAS, SATA, and SSD drives. The SAS9300-24i also supports SAS 12Gb/s, which is future-proof for higher-capacity storage solutions.

4. **Advanced RAID Features**

- **Multi-pathing and failover**: Ensures data availability even if a drive or path fails.

- **Cache management**: Battery-backed write cache (BBWC) and read cache optimization for performance.

- **Virtual Disks (VDs)**: Flexible configuration of logical volumes for different workloads.

- **Remote Replication**: Supports asynchronous or synchronous replication for disaster recovery.

- **CacheCade**: Accelerates performance by leveraging SSD cache for frequently accessed data.

5. **Compatibility with Dell and Third-Party Servers**

These controllers are widely compatible with Dell PowerEdge servers (where they are often pre-installed) and many third-party platforms running Linux, Windows Server, or VMware. They are also supported by major hypervisors like VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V.

6. **Low Latency and High IOPS**

The controllers are optimized for low-latency operations, which is critical for applications like databases (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server), virtual desktops (VDI), and high-frequency trading systems. The SAS9300-24i, in particular, is known for its ability to handle thousands of IOPS with minimal latency.

7. **Hot-Plug and Hot-Swap Support**

The controllers support hot-plugging of drives and hot-swapping of components, reducing downtime during maintenance or upgrades. This is a key feature for environments where uptime is non-negotiable.

8. **Energy Efficiency with Noctua Cooling**

The inclusion of a Noctua 60mm cooling fan ensures that the controller remains within optimal temperature ranges, preventing thermal throttling and extending the lifespan of the hardware. Noctua fans are known for their reliability and low power consumption, which can contribute to overall energy efficiency in the server.

9. **Firmware and Driver Support**

LSI provides regular firmware updates to address bugs, improve performance, and add new features. The controllers are well-supported by major operating systems, ensuring long-term viability.

10. **Cost-Effective for High-End Workloads**

While these controllers are not cheap, they offer a balance between performance and cost for enterprise environments where cheaper alternatives (e.g., consumer-grade RAID cards) would struggle to meet requirements. For small to medium businesses or home labs, they may be overkill, but for large-scale deployments, they provide excellent value.

---

### **Cons**

1. **High Upfront Cost**

The SAS9300-24i and SAS9305-16i are expensive compared to consumer-grade RAID controllers or even some mid-range enterprise alternatives. The cost may not be justified for small businesses, home users, or low-traffic workloads. The price includes not only the controller but also the need for compatible SAS drives, which can further increase costs.

2. **Complexity for Non-Enterprise Users**

These controllers are designed with enterprise features in mind, which can introduce complexity for users unfamiliar with RAID management, firmware updates, or advanced storage configurations. Misconfiguration can lead to data loss or performance degradation. The MegaRAID Storage Manager (MSM) software, while powerful, has a steep learning curve.

3. **Limited Consumer Support**

LSI s support for these controllers is primarily enterprise-focused. Users outside of large organizations may find that Dell s or Broadcom s support channels are less responsive or require higher-tier contracts for full assistance. Troubleshooting may require deep technical knowledge.

4. **PCIe x8 Slot Requirement**

Both controllers require a PCIe x8 slot, which may not be available in all servers or may conflict with other high-bandwidth cards (e.g., dual 10GbE NICs). This can limit flexibility in server configurations, especially in older or space-constrained systems.

5. **Firmware and Driver Compatibility Issues**

While LSI provides updates, there can be occasional compatibility issues with newer operating systems or hypervisors. Users may need to manually test firmware versions or wait for patches, which can cause temporary disruptions.

6. **Overkill for Small Workloads**

For users with modest storage needs (e.g., a few TB of data with low IOPS requirements), these controllers are significantly more powerful than necessary. A simpler, cheaper RAID card (e.g., an LSI SAS 9207-8i) or even software RAID (e.g., mdadm in Linux) may suffice.

7. **No Built-in SSD Cache (on Base Model)**

While the controllers support CacheCade (which requires additional SSD cache modules), the base models do not include SSD cache. Adding this feature increases cost and complexity, which may not be justified for all use cases.

8. **Potential for Driver Conflicts**

In some cases, especially with virtualization platforms like VMware, drivers for these controllers can conflict with other storage drivers or require custom configurations. This can lead to performance issues or instability in virtualized environments.

9. **Deprecation Risks**

As storage technologies evolve, older controllers like these may eventually be deprecated by LSI/Broadcom. While they remain robust for now, users should consider future-proofing by ensuring compatibility with newer SAS standards or evaluating alternatives like NVMe-based controllers for next-gen workloads.

10. **Physical Size and Power Consumption**

The controllers are larger and more power-hungry than consumer-grade options. The Noctua fan, while beneficial, adds to the physical footprint and may require additional cooling planning in densely populated server racks.

---

### **Ending Conclusion**

The LSI SAS9300-24i and SAS9305-16i are **excellent choices for enterprise environments** where high performance, reliability, and scalability are critical. They excel in demanding workloads such as databases, virtualization, and high-availability storage, offering features like advanced RAID, low latency, and enterprise-grade support. The inclusion of a Noctua cooling fan further enhances their reliability in long-term deployments.

However, these controllers are **not suitable for every use case**. Their high cost, complexity, and enterprise-focused design make them impractical for small businesses, home users, or low-traffic workloads. For such scenarios, simpler or more affordable alternatives (e.g., LSI SAS 9207-8i, Areca, or even software RAID) would be more appropriate.

---

### **Recommendation**

- You are running a **large-scale enterprise environment** (e.g., data centers, high-availability clusters, or mission-critical applications).

- Your workload requires **high IOPS, low latency, and advanced RAID features** (e.g., databases, virtualization, or NAS/SAN setups).

- You have the **budget and technical expertise** to manage enterprise-grade storage solutions.

- You need **future-proofing** with SAS 12Gb/s support and compatibility with modern servers.

- You are a **small business, home user, or hobbyist** with modest storage needs.

- Your workload is **low-traffic** (e.g., personal file storage, small-scale media servers).

- You lack the **technical knowledge** to configure and maintain advanced RAID setups.

- You are on a **tight budget** and can achieve similar performance with cheaper alternatives.

- For **mid-range enterprise needs**: LSI SAS 9207-8i or 9207-16i (cheaper, still robust).

- For **high-performance consumer use**: Are

Details:

Card was flashed to most recent bios by LSI. The shroud pops off easily if you don't want to go in that direction. Worked awesome. Used this for 6 months in my NAS.

Includes 4x SFF8643 to SATA splutters with sale.

part #: sas930024i prices

• $82.98-$170.89

specifications diskcontrolle:

• brand: Lsi
• mpn: Sas9300-24i
• part type: Controller Fan
• compatible brand: Universal
• connectors: Sas
• compatible port: Pci Express X8
• product line: 9300 Series

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