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Thought I'd check back with the results:  I bought two LSI 9207-8i boards.  Installed under Windows 7 for now (which I prefer for development machines).  I didn't reflash to IT-mode.  In fact, I don't know much about that, so I just went with the stock firmware.  Win7 did need the drivers to be installed.  Win10 may not...I don't know yet.
 
In any case, it seems to be running very well!  On one of the systems, I trust the LSI controller more than the built-in motherboard SATA controller.
 
I was originally considering one of the newer Syba cards when I spotted the LSI.  I'm glad I went this path.
 
Thanks to those who took the time to advise!
 
 

Actually he won't. The 9207-8i is a proper HBA, so unless someone messed with the firmware on the Card, it should be good to go out of the box.

I have a 9211-8i on my windows 10 server, flashed to IT mode and runs fine. Didn't try it when not flashed to IT though, so can't comment on that aspect.

I can confirm a 9207-8i will work in Win10.
 
In fact, it will "just work" as Microsoft has drivers (though not the latest, I don't think) that Windows will pull automatically. I was actually pretty surprised when I was testing mine. Hot-swap works, too.
 
I believe I used the Win8.1 drivers from here without issue.

you will need to cross flash the card to IT-mode so you don't have to setup RAID arrays to see any drives on it at all in Windows.

Yes that card will work, along with 9211 and other server brand cards that are OEM of these LSI cards. IBM M1015 is a common one for example.