LSI Logic LSI00197 4-Port SAS RAID Controller - 6Gb/s 512MB

In this review the LSI Logic LSI00197 4-Port SAS RAID Controller is evaluated for small servers and workstation users who need reliable hardware RAID without excess complexity. The bottom line: it is a practical, no-frills controller that delivers hardware RAID acceleration and 6Gb/s SAS/SATA support in a compact PCI Express x8 card. For IT pros replacing aging controllers or building a modest RAID array, this card offers straightforward performance and compatibility at a reasonable price point.

Key Features

• 4 internal SAS ports: The single SFF-8087 Mini-SAS connector provides four lanes to attach multiple drives while keeping cabling tidy.
• 6Gb/s interface: Native 6 gigabit per second SAS and SATA support lets modern drives operate at their intended throughput.
• 512MB DDR SDRAM cache: Onboard cache helps maintain consistent I/O performance for RAID operations and improves write efficiency.
• PCI Express x8 form factor: The PCIe 2.0 x8 interface provides enough host bandwidth for multi-drive setups in server and workstation slots.
• Compact single-card solution: Fits into standard PCIe slots and uses a single internal Mini-SAS connector for easy installation in dense systems.

Who It's For

The LSI00197 is aimed at small business servers, home lab builders, and IT technicians who need a dependable SAS RAID controller with four port connectivity and onboard cache. It is a good match when upgrading older systems that still have PCIe x8 capacity and require hardware RAID for mixed SAS and SATA drives.

Users who need very high-end features such as large onboard memory, battery-backed cache, or advanced management suites should look elsewhere. Likewise, buyers seeking NVMe RAID or external SAS expanders for dozens of drives will need a different class of controller.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good balance of features for the price, with 6Gb/s support and 512MB cache that help real-world RAID performance.
• Simple installation using a single SFF-8087 Mini-SAS connector keeps internal cabling compact.
• PCI Express x8 card fits most server and workstation motherboards where an x8 slot is available.

Cons

• Not targeted at enterprise users who require battery-backed cache or very large onboard memory for intense write workloads.

Specifications

Brand	LSI
Model	LSI00197 (SAS9260-4i)
Cache	512MB DDR SDRAM
Interface	PCI Express x8 (PCIe 2.0)
Ports	1 x SFF-8087 Mini-SAS (4 internal lanes)
Drive Support	6Gb/s SAS and SATA

Our Verdict

The LSI Logic LSI00197 4-Port SAS RAID Controller is a solid choice for small servers and lab systems that need reliable 4-port SAS RAID capability without premium extras. It delivers practical performance with 6Gb/s support and 512MB cache, making it a cost-effective upgrade for mixed SAS/SATA setups where enterprise features are not required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this card support SATA drives?
Yes. It supports both 6Gb/s SAS and SATA drives through the Mini-SAS SFF-8087 connector.

What slot does this require?
The controller uses a PCI Express x8 interface and will fit in compatible x8 or larger PCIe slots.

Is cache battery backed?
No. The onboard 512MB DDR SDRAM cache is not shown with battery backup in the product description, so consider that for critical write-heavy workloads.