The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/clipghost on 2024-10-13 02:09:49.

HBA Card question for Plex Server Unraid build in a Supermicro SuperChassis 846B with SAS2 Backplane…

Am I correct in my thinking below for an HBA card?

I have a question for my plex server Unraid build in a Supermicro SuperChassis 846B. The backplane is BPN-SAS2-846EL1 backplane.

I am looking at the Broadcom HBA 9500-16i as the HBA card.

This is my motherboard but I can change it if need be - ASUS TUF Gaming Z790-Plus WiFi LGA 1700(Intel14th & 13th & 12th Gen) ATX gaming motherboard - https://www.newegg.com/asus-tuf-gaming-z790-plus-wifi-atx-motherboards-intel-intel-z790-lga-1700/p/N82E16813119618?Item=N82E16813119618

I was going to go for the Supermicro AOC-S2308L-L8i PCIe but my motherboard ports would not allow full bandwidth from what I understand? PCIe 3.0 x4 is about 31.5Gbps of bandwidth which is a bottleneck. Where as if I get the Broadcom HBA it is PCIe 4.0 x4 is 63Gbps so that is much better than PCIe 3.0. Also, the SAS bandwidth is 48Gbps so that’s sort of the limit anyway. 24 HDD’s.

I will then have extra SATA ports on the Broadcom which seems like a good idea if I run some SSD’s down the line? My MOBO only has 4 SATA ports currently. Could I use the extras on the 9500-16i if wanted even after attaching to backplane? Or bad idea?

Any other HBA card recommendations for me?

Also is this a bad place to buy it? https://www.ebay.com/itm/144729881871

Heavenforbid it comes not in IT mode or I need to update firmware, is it hard to do? Is there a guide someone recommends?