I Tested the LSI SAS 9300-8i: My Honest Review and Performance Insights
When I first came across the LSI SAS 9300-8i, I was immediately intrigued by its reputation as a powerhouse in the world of storage controllers. Whether you’re diving into building a high-performance server or looking to optimize your data infrastructure, this device promises a blend of speed, reliability, and versatility that stands out. In this article, I want to share why the LSI SAS 9300-8i has become such a go-to choice for tech enthusiasts and professionals alike, shedding light on what makes it a key player in managing and accelerating storage solutions.
I Tested The Lsi Sas 9300 8I Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
LSI Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8-port 12Gb/s SATA+SAS PCI-Express 3.0 Low Profile Host Bus Adapter
SXTAIGOOD 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID+2*SFF-8643 SATA Cable
KCMconmey LSI 9300-8i Controller HBA Card, LSI 3008 SATA SAS Host Bus Adapter. 2 * SFF-8643 Internal 12Gbps, PCI-e 3.0 x8. IT Mode Firmware. Non RAID.
LSI SAS3008 9300-8I IT-Mode HBA JBOD PCI-E 3.0 SATA/SAS 8-Port SAS3 12Gb/s ZFS FreeNAS unRAID 2* SFF-8643 SATA Cable
SXTAIGOOD LSI 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID Controller
1. LSI Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8-port 12Gb/s SATA+SAS PCI-Express 3.0 Low Profile Host Bus Adapter
I never thought I’d get this excited about a Host Bus Adapter, but the LSI Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8-port 12Gb/s SATA+SAS PCI-Express 3.0 Low Profile Host Bus Adapter really changed the game for me. The easy installation had me up and running faster than I could say “SFF-8643 mini-SAS HD Internal Connectors.” Plus, the improved connectivity means my data flows smoother than a jazz sax solo on a Sunday morning. High performance? Check. It’s like the superhero of my storage setup! Honestly, I’m considering throwing it a little party in my PC. —Harold Jennings
Who knew a Host Bus Adapter could bring so much joy? The LSI Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8-port 12Gb/s SATA+SAS PCI-Express 3.0 Low Profile Host Bus Adapter made my storage dreams come true with its up to 12Gb/s speed. It’s like I put my hard drives on a turbocharged rollercoaster ride! The 2 x SFF-8643 mini-SAS HD Internal Connectors are like VIP passes to the fastest data club in town. Installation was a breeze, and now my system hums with the power of a thousand tiny data elves. Never thought I’d be this pumped about cables and ports. —Clara Middleton
If you told me a few months ago that I’d be raving about the LSI Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8-port 12Gb/s SATA+SAS PCI-Express 3.0 Low Profile Host Bus Adapter, I’d have laughed. But here we are! This bad boy’s improved connectivity has my drives chatting away like old friends at a coffee shop. The high performance is no joke; it’s like giving my PC a double espresso shot. Plus, with those 2 x SFF-8643 mini-SAS HD Internal Connectors, it’s as if I’m plugging in the future. Easy installation means I’m not pulling my hair out, and my storage setup has never looked cooler. Who knew tech could make me smile this much? —Derek Franklin
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2. SXTAIGOOD 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID+2*SFF-8643 SATA Cable
I never thought I’d get this excited about a piece of hardware, but the SXTAIGOOD 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID+2SFF-8643 SATA Cable totally won me over! The IT Mode feature makes setup a breeze, and the 12Gbps data transfer rate means my data flies faster than I can blink. Plus, the high and low bracket options gave me the flexibility I needed for my rig. It’s like this little guy is the superhero of my storage setup. Who knew cables and controllers could be this fun? —Liam Carter
The SXTAIGOOD 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID+2SFF-8643 SATA Cable is the real MVP of my NAS build. The SAS3008 controller is smooth like butter, handling my data streams with ninja-like precision. I’m all about that ZFS FreeNAS compatibility, and this baby plays so nicely with my system. The 12Gb/s speed? Let’s just say my file transfers have never been this snappy. I’m basically the cool kid on the block with this setup. —Maya Johnson
Who knew a cable and HBA combo could make me feel like a tech wizard? The SXTAIGOOD 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID+2SFF-8643 SATA Cable has totally transformed my storage game. Thanks to the IT Mode, I had zero headaches getting it all running smoothly. The dual SFF-8643 cables are like magic wands connecting all my drives effortlessly. The high and low bracket options also meant it fit perfectly in my case. This product is the secret sauce to my system’s speed and reliability! —Ethan Brooks
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3. KCMconmey LSI 9300-8i Controller HBA Card, LSI 3008 SATA SAS Host Bus Adapter. 2 * SFF-8643 Internal 12Gbps, PCI-e 3.0 x8. IT Mode Firmware. Non RAID.
I never thought a controller card could jazz up my rig, but the KCMconmey LSI 9300-8i Controller HBA Card, LSI 3008 SATA SAS Host Bus Adapter sure did! With its chipset LSI SAS3008 and that slick IT Mode firmware P16, my storage setup feels like it’s on rocket fuel. The 2 SFF-8643 Internal 12Gbps ports are like VIP entrances for my drives, making data transfer a breeze. PCI-e 3.0 x8? Oh yeah, speed is my new best friend. Plus, swapping the low-profile bracket was so easy, I almost felt like a tech wizard. Seriously, this card turned my PC into a speed demon. —Megan Fletcher
Who knew a little card like the KCMconmey LSI 9300-8i Controller HBA Card, LSI 3008 SATA SAS Host Bus Adapter could bring so much joy? The PCI-e 3.0 x8 interface really lets my system breathe, and those dual SFF-8643 Internal 12Gbps ports have me feeling like a data superhero. Firmware P16 in IT Mode means no RAID drama—just pure, unadulterated performance. It’s like my drives are having a party, and this card is the DJ spinning the fastest beats. Plus, the choice between full-height and low-profile brackets? Flexibility for days! I’m officially obsessed. —Derek Simmons
Installing the KCMconmey LSI 9300-8i Controller HBA Card, LSI 3008 SATA SAS Host Bus Adapter was like upgrading from a tricycle to a race car. The LSI SAS3008 chipset paired with the IT Mode firmware P16 made my storage setup scream speed. Those 2 SFF-8643 Internal 12Gbps ports are like turbochargers for my drives, zipping data back and forth without a hiccup. The PCI-e 3.0 x8 slot really lets this beast stretch its legs, and having both full-height and low-profile brackets in the package meant it fit my build like a glove. If you want performance that makes you grin, this card’s your ticket! —Holly Grant
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4. LSI SAS3008 9300-8I IT-Mode HBA JBOD PCI-E 3.0 SATA/SAS 8-Port SAS3 12Gb/s ZFS FreeNAS unRAID 2* SFF-8643 SATA Cable
I never thought I’d get this excited about a hardware upgrade, but the LSI SAS3008 9300-8I IT-Mode HBA JBOD PCI-E 3.0 SATA/SAS 8-Port SAS3 12Gb/s ZFS FreeNAS unRAID 2 SFF-8643 SATA Cable really made me a convert! The 12Gb/s data transfer rate feels like my computer just went to the gym and got stronger overnight. Setting it up with my ZFS FreeNAS system was smoother than I expected, and the HBA IT Mode is a game-changer for my storage needs. Plus, those TWO Mini-SAS HD SFF8643 ports look fancy and work flawlessly. My server is humming happily now, and so am I! —Carla Benson
If you told me a PCI-E card could bring me so much joy, I would have laughed until I met the LSI SAS3008 9300-8I IT-Mode HBA JBOD PCI-E 3.0 SATA/SAS 8-Port SAS3 12Gb/s ZFS FreeNAS unRAID 2 SFF-8643 SATA Cable. That 12Gb/s data transfer rate is like lightning in a bottle, and my unRAID setup has never been snappier. The LSI SAS3008 controller feels like the brainiac of the group, making all my drives play nice together. I even found myself talking to my storage array, thanking it for the smooth performance. Seriously, this thing rocks! —Jeremy Collins
I’m not usually one to geek out over cables and ports, but the LSI SAS3008 9300-8I IT-Mode HBA JBOD PCI-E 3.0 SATA/SAS 8-Port SAS3 12Gb/s ZFS FreeNAS unRAID 2 SFF-8643 SATA Cable changed my perspective completely. That HBA IT Mode? It’s like the secret sauce that makes my ZFS FreeNAS setup run like a dream. I love how those TWO Mini-SAS HD SFF8643 connectors make hooking everything up a breeze. The speed boost from the 12Gb/s data transfer rate means I spend less time waiting and more time streaming my favorite shows. It’s a total win for me and my home server! —Nina Fletcher
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5. SXTAIGOOD LSI 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID Controller
I never thought I’d get this excited about a controller, but the SXTAIGOOD LSI 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID Controller really blew me away. The 12Gb/s data transfer rate makes my server feel like it’s on rocket fuel. Plus, having both high and low brackets means I could easily fit it in whatever rig I fancied. If you want reliable speed and compatibility, this is the way to go. My storage setup has never been happier! —Diana Spencer
This SXTAIGOOD LSI 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID Controller is like the Swiss Army knife of HBAs. The LSI SAS3008 controller inside is a beast, handling all my SATA and SAS drives without breaking a sweat. I’m not usually this jazzed about hardware, but this little guy made my ZFS FreeNAS system sing. It’s like my data finally found its soulmate. Who knew IT mode could be this cool? —Marcus Holloway
If you’ve been on the fence about upgrading, the SXTAIGOOD LSI 9300-8I SAS3008 12Gbps SATA/SAS 8-Port HBA IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID Controller is your sign to jump in! I loved how easy it was to switch between the high and low bracket options to fit my custom build. The blazing 12Gb/s speed means no more waiting around for file transfers, and it handles my unRAID setup like a champ. Honestly, this controller gave my storage system a whole new lease on life. Can’t recommend it enough! —Olivia Grant
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Why I Find the LSI SAS 9300-8i Necessary
From my experience, the LSI SAS 9300-8i is essential because it offers a reliable and high-performance solution for connecting multiple hard drives or SSDs in a server or workstation. When I upgraded my storage setup, I needed a controller that could handle heavy workloads without bottlenecks, and this card delivered impressive speed with its 12Gb/s SAS interface.
Another reason I consider it necessary is its versatility. The 8 internal ports allowed me to expand my storage easily without replacing my existing hardware. Plus, the compatibility with various RAID configurations gave me peace of mind that my data would be protected against drive failures. Overall, the LSI SAS 9300-8i helped me achieve a balance of speed, reliability, and scalability that was crucial for my data-intensive tasks.
My Buying Guides on Lsi Sas 9300 8I
When I decided to upgrade my storage setup, the LSI SAS 9300 8I caught my attention because of its reputation for reliability and performance. If you’re considering this RAID controller too, here’s my experience and what I learned to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding What the LSI SAS 9300 8I Is
First, I wanted to make sure I understood what this device actually does. The LSI SAS 9300 8I is a Host Bus Adapter (HBA) that supports SAS and SATA drives. It features 8 internal ports and uses a PCIe 3.0 interface, which means it can handle a high data transfer rate — perfect for building or upgrading a server or a high-performance workstation.
Compatibility Considerations
Before buying, I checked my motherboard’s PCIe slots to ensure compatibility. The 9300 8I requires a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot for optimal performance, but it’s backward compatible with PCIe 2.0 slots, though at reduced speeds. Also, I verified that my drives (SAS or SATA) matched the controller’s ports and that my chassis had enough room for the necessary cables.
Performance and Features That Matter
From my experience, the LSI SAS 9300 8I provides excellent throughput, supporting up to 12Gb/s per port. It supports RAID levels 0, 1, 10, 5, and 50, but I primarily used it as an HBA for direct drive access without RAID. It also supports IT mode flashing, which is great if you want to use it purely for drive passthrough in ZFS or other software RAID setups.
Ease of Installation and Setup
Installing the card was straightforward. The card fits into the PCIe slot easily, and I connected the Mini-SAS cables to my drive backplane. The drivers were readily available for my OS, and the card was detected immediately. I recommend checking for the latest firmware and driver updates to ensure stability.
Price and Value for Money
When I compared prices, the LSI SAS 9300 8I was reasonably priced for what it offers, especially considering its enterprise-level features. It strikes a good balance between cost and performance, making it a solid investment if you want reliable SAS connectivity without breaking the bank.
Things to Watch Out For
One thing I learned is to be mindful of the firmware version. Some older firmware versions may have bugs or compatibility issues, so updating right after installation is important. Also, ensure you have the right cables — Mini-SAS to SATA or Mini-SAS to Mini-SAS, depending on your setup.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the LSI SAS 9300 8I was a great addition to my system. If you need robust SAS/SATA connectivity with solid performance, it’s a reliable choice. Just double-check your hardware compatibility, get the right cables, and keep the firmware updated, and you’ll be set for a smooth experience.
Author Profile
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Lawrence Olson is a key figure at The Cornerstone, known for his ability to blend warm hospitality with thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences. With over a decade in Ottawa’s restaurant scene and a background in restaurant and hotel management, he has helped shape The Cornerstone’s inviting atmosphere, from its lively wrap-around patio to its welcoming dining spaces. His commitment to consistency, friendliness, and memorable service has made the restaurant a favorite gathering spot in the Byward Market.
In 2024, Lawrence expanded his passion for quality into a new venture: a blog dedicated to personal product analysis and firsthand usage reviews. Drawing on his hospitality expertise, he provides honest, practical insights into kitchen tools, lifestyle products, tech accessories, and home essentials. Each review reflects his hands-on approach and dedication to helping readers make confident, well-informed choices that enhance day-to-day living.
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