LSI Logic Controller Card SAS 9207-8i 8Port Internal - High-bandwidth

In this review of the LSI Logic Controller Card LSI00301 (SAS 9207-8i) the bottom line is simple: this is a practical, low profile I/O card for users who need reliable internal SAS and SATA expansion without RAID. The reviewer found it best suited to NAS builders, workstation owners and anyone adding extra SATA ports, because the card provides eight internal 6Gb/s ports and PCI Express 3.0 throughput in a compact form. Installation is straightforward and the card often behaves as a plug-and-play solution with common server OS setups.

Key Features

• 8 internal 6Gb/s ports: Provides direct connectivity for multiple SSDs, HDDs or tape drives so you can expand storage bays without external enclosures.
• PCI Express 3.0, 8 lanes: Delivers higher signaling bandwidth for sustained transfers and supports high-bandwidth workloads.
• Low profile form factor: Fits in compact cases and many short-depth servers while still offering two internal mini-SAS SFF8087 connectors.
• LSISAS2308 controller: Uses a proven controller chip to manage up to 256 SAS or SATA end devices, suitable for medium-scale expansions.
• 1-Year limited warranty: New retail units include a basic warranty period that covers early defects and gives buyers limited protection.

Who It's For

The LSI SAS 9207-8i is aimed at home lab users, small NAS builders and workstation owners who want to add internal SATA or SAS devices without complex hardware RAID. Reviewers noted the card adds SATA ports easily and is frequently compatible with common server distributions, making it ideal for Unraid or other software-managed storage setups.

It is not the best choice for buyers who need integrated hardware RAID or guaranteed top-tier performance in all workloads; those users should look for dedicated RAID cards or controllers with battery-backed cache. Also, buyers who require explicit vendor-managed support or long commercial warranties may prefer OEM enterprise controllers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Reliable internal connectivity for up to eight drives, expanding storage capacity without extra enclosures.
• Good ease of installation with many users reporting plug-and-play setup in typical server OS environments.
• Low profile design and SFF8087 connectors make it easy to use in compact chassis and standard server builds.
• Supports a large device count through the LSISAS2308 controller for flexible configuration options.

Cons

• Lacks onboard hardware RAID functionality, so software RAID or external solutions are required for redundancy.
• Mixed reports on peak performance suggest some setups may not reach the fastest possible speeds depending on host and drive choices.

Specifications

Model	LSI00301 SAS 9207-8i
Ports	8 internal 6Gb/s SAS+SATA
Connector type	Two x4 internal mini-SAS (SFF8087)
Controller	LSISAS2308 6Gb/s
Interface	PCI Express 3.0, 8 lanes
Form factor	Low profile
Warranty	1-Year limited warranty

Our Verdict

The LSI Logic SAS 9207-8i is a solid value for users who need additional internal SATA or SAS ports in a compact package and are comfortable managing RAID via software. It combines proven controller hardware, easy installation and a low profile design to serve NAS builders and workstation upgraders well, though anyone needing hardware RAID or guaranteed peak throughput should consider alternate controllers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this card support RAID?
The card itself does not include hardware RAID; users should rely on software RAID or a separate RAID controller for array management.

Will it fit in a small form factor case?
Yes, the card is a low profile design and uses SFF8087 internal connectors to fit in many compact and short-depth chassis.

Can it work with SSDs and HDDs together?
Yes, the LSISAS2308 controller supports both SAS and SATA end devices, so SSDs and HDDs can be attached concurrently.