StarTech.com 8-Port SATA III Controller Card, PCIe 2.0 x4, 6Gbps, 2 Mini-SAS Ports, Black

StarTech.com 8-Port SATA III Controller Card – Add eight SATA drives

The StarTech.com 8-Port SATA III Controller Card suits desktop PCs and servers that need more internal storage connections. It adds support for up to eight SATA drives through one PCIe x4 slot.

The key connection details

Connect up to eight internal drives

Two Mini-SAS connectors link the card to the included Mini-SAS-to-SATA cables. Each cable connects four drives, so you can add up to eight SATA HDDs or SSDs. The cable connectors lock into place to help prevent accidental disconnection inside the case.

The card uses four two-port controllers and a PCIe multiplexer. Together, they support combined throughput of up to 16 Gbit/s, depending on the drives and system.

Choose your own software RAID setup

This card has no built-in RAID controller, but it supports software RAID. You can use tools such as Storage Spaces on Windows, RAID Assistant on macOS, or mdraid/mdadm on Linux.

It also supports TRIM and S.M.A.R.T. The PCIe multiplexer helps the card work with motherboards both with and without PCIe bifurcation support.

Fit it into different systems

The card uses a PCIe 2.0 x4 interface and supports SATA I and SATA II drives at lower performance. It comes with a full-profile bracket fitted and an interchangeable low-profile bracket for suitable cases.

Installation is plug and play. Supported platforms include Windows, macOS and Linux, as well as selected Windows Server versions.

Included in the box

• SATA controller card with full-profile bracket
• Interchangeable low-profile bracket
• Two Mini-SAS-to-four-SATA adapter cables
• Quick installation guide

Check your system before ordering

• Confirm your PC or server has a free PCIe x4 slot.
• Check that your case has room for the card and its drive cables.
• Confirm your operating system supports the card.
• Check that your SATA drives and planned software RAID setup suit your requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many drives can this card connect?

A: It supports up to eight SATA HDDs or SSDs using the two included Mini-SAS-to-SATA cables.

Q: Does the card have hardware RAID?

A: No. It supports software RAID through compatible operating-system tools.

Q: Can I use it in a low-profile case?

A: Yes. An interchangeable low-profile bracket is included.

Q: Does it support older SATA drives?

A: Yes. It supports SATA I and SATA II drives at lower performance.

A practical storage upgrade for compatible PCs

Choose the StarTech.com 8-Port SATA III Controller Card when you need to connect several internal SATA drives through a single PCIe slot. Its eight-drive capacity, included cables and software RAID support make it a useful option for expanding desktop or server storage.