Competing models? That sounds like "market speak" of "we ain't going to do it."
Especially, since LSI ALREADY HAS their card out, and it has been out for quite some time now. The 9265 -8i is their mainstay card, and boast 1 gig memory, and PCI-e connectivity.
Adaptec (pmc) was left in the dust a while ago... I don't know if they will ever be able to release a card to compete (unless they licenses the 2208 LSI chip that LSI uses.)
Areca has decent performace, but still not to the level of LSI.
Why not a quick and dirty review? Pit this "new" intel against the existing reigning champ... the LSI.