SATA Expansion Device

[xl3b4n0nx]

I am looking to expand the number of sata ports in my UnRaid server. It is an AMD fx6300 system, so it has the standard 6 SATA ports. The one PCIE x1 slot on the motherboard has a 2 port expander. All SATA ports are filled. I have a free x16 (x4 electrical) slot and I want to make the most of it.

 

I have plans to move my server to an HEDT(Threadripper) system in the next few years but there will be storage expansion prior to that point. I need an expansion card my system can grow into. I don't need hardware RAID capabilities. Would a SAS controller fit my needs or would I be better off with an 8/10 port SATA card? If so, what SAS card should I get?

 

10 port SATA card:

https://www.amazon.com/Ableconn-PEX10-SAT-Port-Express-Adapter/dp/B0177GBY0Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1546963574&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=sata+cards&dpPl=1&dpID=41Wa8dCv7fL&ref=plSrch

 

8 port SATA card:

https://www.amazon.com/IO-Crest-8-port-Controller-SI-PEX40071/dp/B00ESFEI2E/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr3_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546963731&sr=8-1-fkmr3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=iocrest+8+port+sata

[Gwersebe]

You should be fine as long as it isn't a raid card because those don't work well with unraid, but if you are using sata drives get a sata card either one above should work fine.

[maxtch]

If you have spare PCIe lanes you can try add an used IBM M1015 and force flash it into LSI 9211-8i IT-mode SAS HBA card. That gives you 8 additional SAS lanes which can be used as 8 SATA ports. Those are ex-server hardware, often cheap and lasts a long time.