LSI SAS3008 9300-8I IT-Mode HBA 8-Port SAS3 - Reliable 12Gb/s IO

Our review of the LSI SAS3008 9300-8I IT-Mode HBA finds it best suited for storage builders who need straightforward JBOD connectivity and native pass-through for software RAID systems. The main reason to buy is the controller's focus on HBA IT mode and 12Gb/s SAS3 lanes, which make it a practical choice for FreeNAS, ZFS, and unRAID setups where drives must be exposed directly to the OS. This card favors reliability and compatibility over flashy extras, and it is useful when you require two Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643 ports to feed multiple drive enclosures from a single card.

Key Features

• 12Gb/s Data Transfer Rate: Delivers high-speed SAS3 throughput for faster rebuilds and data access across multiple drives in a JBOD configuration.
• LSI SAS3008 Controller: Uses a proven controller chip designed for stable HBA operation and broad compatibility with storage OS platforms.
• HBA IT Mode: Exposes individual drives to the host for use with ZFS, FreeNAS, and unRAID without hardware RAID interference.
• Two Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643: Provides dual external/internal ports to connect multiple drive trays or breakout cables for up to eight drives.
• PCI-E 3.0 Interface: Uses a PCI-E 3.0 lane set to maintain low latency and adequate bandwidth for typical multi-drive home or small-lab arrays.

Who It's For

The card is ideal for home lab enthusiasts, small office NAS builders, and IT pros who run ZFS or similar software-defined storage systems and need direct access to individual drives. It works well when paired with enclosures or SATA breakout cables that connect to the two SFF-8643 ports to populate multiple 3.5in or 2.5in drives.

Users seeking an all-in-one hardware RAID solution, preconfigured management features, or on-card cache will want a dedicated RAID controller instead. Also, if you need built-in drive power connectors or hot-swap backplane management, look for a full NAS backplane solution rather than this HBA card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Proven LSI SAS3008 chipset provides reliable HBA operation and wide OS compatibility.
• Dual SFF-8643 ports allow connecting multiple drives or external trays from one card.
• Native IT mode is perfect for FreeNAS and unRAID deployments that require pass-through drives.
• 12Gb/s per port class performance reduces bottlenecks for multi-drive reads and rebuilds.

Cons

• Does not include on-card hardware RAID features, so users wanting that functionality need a different controller.
• Requires compatible breakout cables or enclosures to connect standard SATA drives; these are not included in the card description.

Specifications

Controller	LSI SAS3008
Ports	8 SATA/SAS (via 2x SFF-8643)
Interface	PCI-E 3.0
Transfer Rate	12Gb/s per SAS3 port
Mode	HBA IT Mode (JBOD/pass-through)
Compatible Systems	ZFS, FreeNAS, unRAID

Our Verdict

The LSI SAS3008 9300-8I is a no-frills HBA that gives builders dependable 12Gb/s connectivity and clean pass-through for software RAID and ZFS-based storage. It is good value for users who need direct drive access and stable performance across multiple drives, but it is not the right choice for those who require integrated hardware RAID or bundled cabling. For most home lab and small NAS deployments it provides the right balance of compatibility and throughput.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this card support ZFS and FreeNAS?
Yes, the HBA operates in IT mode which exposes drives directly to the host OS and is compatible with ZFS and FreeNAS.

How do I connect standard SATA drives?
Use Mini-SAS HD SFF-8643 to 4x SATA breakout cables or a compatible drive enclosure to connect SATA drives to the two card ports.

Is hardware RAID available on this card?
No, this product is an HBA in IT mode and does not provide onboard hardware RAID features; it is intended for pass-through JBOD use.