Recommendations for PCIE host controller?

[Cam The Music Man]

I'm in the market for expanding my internal storage just a couple more SATA ports more.  My system is fairly dated, but has been a reliable workhorse.
Current system build is as follows:

• CPU: Intel i7 980 Extreme (Gulftown I believe)
• Mobo: Asus P6x58d Premium
• GPU:  EVGA Geforce GTX 970 SSC
• PSU:  Corsair HX1000
• RAM:  G-Skill 16gb DDR3 1600mhz kit,  4gb DDR3 1600mhz RAM x2 (24gb total)

Current storage solution - all directly plugged into my mobo:

• 2x Samsung 850 EVO 500gb's (1st for OS, 2nd for Apps)
• 5x 7200 RPM WD drives (ranging 2tb to 10tb) for various archival and projects, as well as a gaming drive.
• LG Super multi Bluray burner drive, for the rare occasion when clients want BD-R's or for testing film/video & audio projects.

I really don't need a controller to RAID anything, just need extra storage.  My case really can't house much more than a couple extra SSD's which I plan on re-configuring which drives go to the host and which drives need the most bandwidth for highest priority work.

The dilemma:
I've scoured Newegg and most of the cheap controllers ($20-$40 USD) have an overwhelming percentage of 1-star reviews with horrid experiences.  I don't plan on spending more than $100, but I'm curious if someone in here has genuinely reliable experience with the host controllers available on the market.  Does anyone have any recommendations for reliable PCIE sata expansion cards that aren't expensive?  Should I really just hold out and wait until I can increase my budget?

[emosun]

i use an lsi sas2 2116 meteor roc

it's the only one i've ever used and it seems to be reliable. the only thing you might hate is that you have to use these big breakaway cables to actually get down to regular sata plugs to plug all your drives in , but otherwise it was the best way for me to add a ton of sata connectivity.

 

 

[emosun]

sorry i used the wrong name , what i use is an LSI Logic 9201-16e

[PineyCreek]

Honestly, you get what you pay for.  I used a little cheap addon card on my old system to support a couple extra drives but I didn't expect speed out of them.  Those LSI cards are primarily for heavy storage like rack mount units, 8-24 drives.  Yeah, it'll be great compared to the $20 solution, but it'll definitely cost more up front.  Not terribly much more considering their age though.

 

Should probably go with the 9211-8i though.  Might be cheaper because of less capacity if you get it used, and it's a newer generation card.  You're not doing external links.

[Cam The Music Man]

So far, that's not terribly over-budget.  Found a couple items on Newegg:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?CompareItemList=-1|9SIA67S8284312^9SIA67S8284312%2C9SIA93870V2996^9SIA93870V2996
 

The IT Mode one has zero reviews and the product picture doesn't even match the description: promising 8 ports  (I'm guessing they're fully expecting to breakout the SAS to 4x Sata).  Safer bet looks like the Avago one, 4-star rating and at least 30 reviews.

[emosun]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SAS9201-16e-LSI-16-Port-6Gb-s-SAS-SATA-to-PCI-Express-Host-Bus-Adapte/182100909150?epid=1301621744&hash=item2a660f5c5e:g:Yz0AAOSw-YBXGJIg

[Cam The Music Man]

I don't need external but you two were extremely helpful in narrowing it down to something worthwhile!  Thanks for the recommendations!