Which is better? RAID Controllers

[shakermaker]

I have a dillema. I am building a server and I require a Serial RAID controller. Which controller am I better off with (in terms of speed/performance)?

3Ware Escalade 8006-2LP (http://www.3ware.com/products/serial_ata8000.asp)

OR

Promise FastTrak S150 SX4
(http://www.promise.com/product/product_detail_eng.asp?productId=112&familyId=2)

My biggest concern is, the 3Ware card is 64bit PCI, and the Promise one is only 32bit (however it allows up to 256SD RAM).

Which brings me to the question: Am I better off with a 64bit card that does not allow me to add memory, or a 32bit card that does.

Thanks!

 

[etp777]

I won't run a server raid card without onboard cache, but that's just me.

I would suggest one of the Adaptec SATA raid cards, 2410 or higher. RISC processors, onboard cache, 64bit pci, and battery backup for the higher models(which is definitely important to me, if not to you). Haven't priced them, I still use all SCSI for servers, but those cards woudl be my suggestion. For server storage, I won't go with anything but Adaptec(or OEM cards to go with OEM server, IE HP SMART raid cards with HP servers, IBM raid cards with new IBM box I just bought, etc)

 

[sjonnie]

Both those cards have been reviewed at <A HREF="http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/storage" target="_new">Xbitlabs.com</A> along with the Adaptec 2410SA. Go check them out and see what you think. I thought the Adaptec worked best, although it might depend on what RAID build you are doing and what sort of server access you expect.

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/myanandtech.html?member=114979" target="_new">My PCs</A>