{"product_id":"lsi-logic-sas-9300-8e-sgl-lsi00343-external-8-port-hba","title":"LSI Logic SAS 9300-8e SGL LSI00343 - External 8-Port HBA","description":"\u003cp\u003eOur review of the LSI Logic SAS 9300-8e SGL LSI00343 finds it to be a practical external host bus adapter for users who need to connect multiple SATA or SAS drives to a server or workstation. The single biggest reason to buy is straightforward: it provides reliable, high-throughput connectivity for up to eight drives via two miniSAS SFF-8644 ports while using a PCIe x8 3.0 interface. With recent IT mode firmware preinstalled and native 4k drive support, the card is aimed at IT professionals and home lab builders who prioritize compatibility and stable external storage expansion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePCIe x8 3.0 port:\u003c\/strong\u003e Delivers ample host bandwidth for multiple drives without bottlenecking common server workloads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2x miniSAS SFF-8644 ports:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow connection of up to eight SATA or SAS drives using external cables and enclosures for flexible storage expansion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12 Gbit\/s transfer rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supports the faster SAS generation for improved throughput on compatible drives and arrays.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIT mode firmware installed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ships with the latest IT firmware so the card operates as a simple HBA for direct drive passthrough and easy integration into software RAID or ZFS setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative 4k drive support:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ensures compatibility with modern high-capacity drives formatted with 4k sectors without requiring firmware adjustments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull and low profile brackets included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provides installation flexibility across rackmount servers and small form factor systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LSI Logic SAS 9300-8e is best for system administrators, NAS builders, and lab enthusiasts who need to expand external drive capacity while retaining direct drive access. Its IT mode firmware makes it particularly suited to setups that rely on host-managed RAID, ZFS, or virtualization where the OS requires raw drive access.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is less appropriate for users who need internal drive connectors only or those seeking integrated RAID features on the controller itself, since this is an HBA intended for passthrough rather than a hardware RAID card with complex onboard management.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSupports up to eight external drives through two SFF-8644 ports for flexible expansion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e12 Gbit\/s link speed and PCIe 3.0 x8 interface provide solid throughput for multi-drive arrays.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIT mode firmware and native 4k support ensure broad compatibility with modern drives and software stacks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIncludes both full and low profile brackets for easy installation in varied chassis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNo built-in hardware RAID features, as it is designed to act as an HBA for passthrough use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eExternal cabling and enclosures are required to connect drives, adding to system complexity and cost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLSI Logic SAS 9300-8e (LSI00343)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInterface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCIe x8 3.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExternal Ports\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2x miniSAS SFF-8644 (up to 8 drives)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMax Data Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 Gbit\/s\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirmware Mode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIT mode firmware preinstalled\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrive Support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatible with SATA and SAS, native 4k drives supported\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAccessories\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull and low profile brackets included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LSI Logic SAS 9300-8e is a dependable choice for anyone needing external expansion of multiple SATA or SAS drives with reliable passthrough operation. It offers modern throughput and 4k support in a compact card, making it good value for administrators and home lab builders who will pair it with external enclosures and software-based arrays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this card support hardware RAID?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, the 9300-8e ships in IT mode and functions as an HBA for direct drive access rather than providing onboard hardware RAID.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many drives can I connect?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe card provides two miniSAS SFF-8644 ports and supports up to eight SATA or SAS drives with the appropriate cables and enclosures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the card compatible with modern 4k drives?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, native 4k sector drives are supported and the latest IT firmware is installed for broad compatibility.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LSI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48610258321627,"sku":"B00DSUROKS","price":67.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61hslWdIJ-L._AC_SL1000.jpg?v=1778352443","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/lsi-logic-sas-9300-8e-sgl-lsi00343-external-8-port-hba","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}