Dell PERC H730P Storage Controller - Compact High-Performance RAID

In this review the Dell PERC H730P is assessed as a focused RAID controller for professionals who need reliable hardware RAID offload and fast SAS/SATA connectivity. The bottom line: this controller is for system builders and IT technicians who require a low-profile, PCIe 3.0 x8 card with robust RAID support and backed cache to maintain strong write performance under sustained loads. The review explains why the H730P stands out for mixed SATA and 12Gb/s SAS environments and where its role fits in server or workstation upgrades.

Key Features

• Integrated RAID: The PERC H730P provides hardware RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 so arrays are managed on-card to reduce CPU load.
• High-speed SAS/SATA ports: Eight internal SAS ports support 12Gb/s SAS and SATA 6Gb/s devices for fast data throughput and broad drive compatibility.
• PCI Express 3.0 x8 interface: The x8 PCIe 3.0 connection delivers sufficient bus bandwidth for multi-drive arrays in typical server configurations.
• Flash backed cache: With 2 GB of NV cache and flash-backed 2 GB memory, write operations are protected and consistent under power events.
• Low profile form factor: The plug-in card fits compact servers and workstations, making it suitable for space-constrained builds where full-height cards are impractical.
• Wide RAID compatibility: Support for multiple RAID levels makes it flexible for performance, redundancy, or mixed objectives in storage design.

Who It's For

The Dell PERC H730P is aimed at IT professionals, system integrators, and advanced home lab builders who require a dependable, hardware-based RAID controller to manage multi-drive arrays. It is particularly useful where a combination of 12Gb/s SAS drives and SATA 6Gb/s drives are present and where maintaining consistent write performance via a flash-backed cache is important.

It is not targeted at casual desktop users who only need single-disk storage or software RAID. Buyers who need onboard NVMe lane switching, more than eight internal ports without expanders, or an integrated storage controller specific to consumer motherboards should consider other solutions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Hardware RAID offload and a broad set of RAID levels simplify array management and reduce host CPU usage.
• Eight internal SAS ports supporting 12Gb/s SAS and SATA 6Gb/s drive types allow flexible drive mixes in one controller.
• 2 GB flash backed cache helps protect in-flight writes and preserves performance during unexpected power loss.
• Low profile PCIe form factor fits many server and workstation chassis with limited space.

Cons

• Limited to eight internal SAS ports without using additional expanders, which may restrict very large drive counts.
• Not a direct replacement for NVMe-native controllers on systems that require NVMe boot or passthrough.

Specifications

Product	Dell PERC H730P Integrated RAID Controller
Cache	2 GB NV flash backed cache
Interfaces	8 internal SAS ports (12Gb/s) and SATA 6Gb/s support
PCIe	PCI Express 3.0 x8 plug-in card
RAID Levels	0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
Form Factor	Low profile plug-in card

Our Verdict

The Dell PERC H730P is a practical choice for technicians and small to medium server deployments that need a proven hardware RAID solution with mixed SAS and SATA support. It offers reliable write protection and ample RAID options in a low profile card, delivering good value where drive counts fit its eight-port design. Choose it for predictable RAID performance and broad compatibility with server drives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this controller support both SAS and SATA drives?
Yes. The H730P supports 12Gb/s SAS devices and SATA at 6Gb/s on its eight internal ports, allowing mixed drive configurations.

How much cache does the controller have?
The card includes 2 GB of NV cache and a 2 GB flash-backed cache implementation to protect writes during power loss.

Will it fit in small server cases?
Yes. The H730P is a low profile plug-in card intended to fit compact server and workstation chassis that accept PCIe x8 cards.