LSI Logic MegaRAID 9361-8i 8-Port SAS RAID Controller - Enterprise

In this review of the LSI Logic MegaRAID 9361-8i RAID controller the bottom line is clear: this card is for IT professionals and system builders who need high-throughput, reliable storage connectivity in servers and demanding storage platforms. Its standout feature is native support for 12GB/s SAS links across eight internal ports, which delivers meaningful performance gains for database, virtualization, and archival workloads that require fast access and robust data protection. The review focuses on real-world suitability, integration notes, and why the controller remains a practical choice for enterprise applications.

Key Features

• 12GB/s SAS performance: Eight internal 12GB/s SATA+SAS ports provide a significant throughput increase for high I/O workloads.
• PCIe 3.0 x8 interface: The card uses a PCI Express 3.0 x8 host interface to minimize host bottlenecks in compatible servers.
• 1GB DDRIII cache: Onboard 1GB DDRIII cache memory helps improve write efficiency and sustained performance for transactional loads.
• Broad RAID support: Hardware RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50 and 60 offer flexible data protection and performance tuning for different storage needs.
• Controller chipset: The LSISA3108 dual-core 1.2GHz PowerPC ROC provides the processing required for advanced RAID features and offloads work from the host CPU.
• Flash and cache protection: Support for flash cache and CacheVault-style protection preserves cached data during power events to reduce risk.

Who It's For

This controller is aimed at enterprise administrators, storage appliance builders, and data center teams that need fast internal connectivity and hardware RAID features. It fits well in servers that host virtualization platforms, database systems, or high-density storage arrays where multiple SAS or SATA drives are present.

Those running small home labs with only a few drives, or users who want a plug-and-play consumer solution with simple software RAID, should look elsewhere; the 9361-8i is best leveraged where enterprise-class performance, cache protection, and RAID flexibility are required.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High aggregate bandwidth with eight 12GB/s internal ports ideal for high I/O environments.
• Hardware RAID offload via the LSISA3108 processor reduces host CPU overhead under load.
• 1GB DDRIII cache and support for flash cache protection help maintain data integrity and performance.
• Wide range of RAID levels provides flexible protection and performance tradeoffs for varied workloads.

Cons

• Enterprise focus means it requires compatible server hardware and some RAID management know-how to deploy effectively.

Specifications

Brand	LSI Logic
Model	MegaRAID 9361-8i
Internal Ports	Eight 12GB/s SATA + SAS
Host Interface	PCI Express 3.0 x8
Controller	LSISA3108 Dual Core 1.2GHz PowerPC
Cache Memory	1GB DDRIII
RAID Levels	0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60

Our Verdict

The MegaRAID 9361-8i is a solid enterprise RAID controller for teams that need dependable 12GB/s SAS connectivity, robust hardware RAID options, and cache protection. It delivers strong value where performance and data integrity matter, but its enterprise orientation means it is best deployed by IT professionals comfortable with server integration and RAID management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this card support 12GB/s SAS drives?
Yes. The controller exposes eight internal 12GB/s SATA+SAS ports that support modern 12GB/s SAS drives.

What RAID levels are available?
Hardware RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50 and 60 are supported for flexibility in protection versus performance.

Is cache protection included?
The card supports flash cache protection and CacheVault-style preservation to protect cached data during power events.