{"product_id":"dell-perc-h730p-storage-controller-compact-high-performance-raid","title":"Dell PERC H730P Storage Controller - Compact High-Performance RAID","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntegrated RAID:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh-speed SAS\/SATA ports:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eight internal SAS ports support 12Gb\/s SAS and SATA 6Gb\/s devices for fast data throughput and broad drive compatibility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePCI Express 3.0 x8 interface:\u003c\/strong\u003e The x8 PCIe 3.0 connection delivers sufficient bus bandwidth for multi-drive arrays in typical server configurations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlash backed cache:\u003c\/strong\u003e With 2 GB of NV cache and flash-backed 2 GB memory, write operations are protected and consistent under power events.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow profile form factor:\u003c\/strong\u003e The plug-in card fits compact servers and workstations, making it suitable for space-constrained builds where full-height cards are impractical.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide RAID compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Support for multiple RAID levels makes it flexible for performance, redundancy, or mixed objectives in storage design.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardware RAID offload and a broad set of RAID levels simplify array management and reduce host CPU usage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEight internal SAS ports supporting 12Gb\/s SAS and SATA 6Gb\/s drive types allow flexible drive mixes in one controller.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 GB flash backed cache helps protect in-flight writes and preserves performance during unexpected power loss.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow profile PCIe form factor fits many server and workstation chassis with limited space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimited to eight internal SAS ports without using additional expanders, which may restrict very large drive counts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot a direct replacement for NVMe-native controllers on systems that require NVMe boot or passthrough.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDell PERC H730P Integrated RAID Controller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCache\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 GB NV flash backed cache\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterfaces\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 internal SAS ports (12Gb\/s) and SATA 6Gb\/s support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCIe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCI Express 3.0 x8 plug-in card\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRAID Levels\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eForm Factor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow profile plug-in card\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this controller support both SAS and SATA drives?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The H730P supports 12Gb\/s SAS devices and SATA at 6Gb\/s on its eight internal ports, allowing mixed drive configurations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much cache does the controller have?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe card includes 2 GB of NV cache and a 2 GB flash-backed cache implementation to protect writes during power loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit in small server cases?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The H730P is a low profile plug-in card intended to fit compact server and workstation chassis that accept PCIe x8 cards.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48183326048475,"sku":"B00Q1ESSRQ","price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61Pf0MnMQ2L._AC_SL1200.jpg?v=1769489666","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/dell-perc-h730p-storage-controller-compact-high-performance-raid","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}