3Ware 9750-4i 4-Port SATA+SAS RAID Controller - High Throughput

Our review of the 3Ware 9750-4i focuses on server builders and IT pros who need reliable internal RAID capability without wasting full-height slots. The bottom line: this low-profile MD2 controller delivers 6Gbps per port throughput across four internal ports and supports up to 96 devices, making it a practical choice for dense storage arrays and archival servers where predictable RAID behavior matters.

Key Features

• Four internal ports: Provides direct connectivity for four SATA or SAS devices inside a chassis, simplifying cabling and drive placement.
• 6Gb/s throughput: Each port supports up to 6Gbps transfer rates, helping reduce bottlenecks on modern SATA and SAS drives.
• High device scalability: The controller can address up to 96 SATA and/or SAS devices when used with expanders, enabling large arrays from a single card.
• RAID flexibility: Hardware support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50 and single-disk mode allows a range of performance and redundancy trade-offs.
• Low-profile MD2 form: The compact board fits low-profile servers and workstations while using an x8 PCIe 2.0 host interface for adequate bandwidth.
• Automatic recovery features: Auto-resume on rebuild and reconstruction help minimize manual intervention after interruptions.

Who It's For

The 3Ware 9750-4i is best for system integrators, SMB server admins, and enthusiasts building storage-dense systems who need a dependable hardware RAID controller with modern 6Gb/s support and room to scale with expanders. Its low-profile footprint and x8 PCIe 2.0 interface make it suitable for rack and compact chassis where full-size cards are impractical.

Those who should look elsewhere include users who require onboard NVMe management, integrated caching features beyond 512MB, or native management for specific vendor ecosystems; newer controllers with advanced caching algorithms or NVMe support will be a better fit for cutting-edge flash arrays.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Supports both SATA and SAS drives on four internal ports for flexible drive choices.
• 6Gb/s per port bandwidth reduces transfer bottlenecks on modern drives.
• Scales to up to 96 devices with expanders, useful for dense storage deployments.
• Auto-resume on rebuild and reconstruction cuts downtime after interruptions.

Cons

• 512MB cache is adequate for many use cases but may be limiting for very write-heavy workloads compared with larger-cache controllers.
• Designed for SATA/SAS devices only, so it does not manage NVMe drives natively.

Specifications

Brand	LSI Logic
Model	3Ware 9750-4i
Host Interface	x8 PCI Express 2.0
Ports	Four internal SATA+SAS ports
Per-port Throughput	6Gb/s
Cache	512MB
RAID Levels	0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, Single Disk

Our Verdict

The 3Ware 9750-4i is a sensible, cost-conscious RAID controller for those building or maintaining SATA/SAS server arrays; its 6Gbps per port performance, RAID flexibility and support for up to 96 devices deliver strong practical value, especially in low-profile systems where space and predictable hardware RAID behavior take priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this card connect both SATA and SAS drives?
Yes. The controller supports mixed SATA and SAS devices on its four internal ports and can scale with expanders.

How many devices can it manage?
With expanders it can address up to 96 SATA and/or SAS devices from a single controller.

Does it resume rebuilds after power loss?
Yes. The card includes auto-resume on rebuild and reconstruction to resume operations after interruptions.