A PCIe 4x card will work just fine in an 8x slot. For that matter, an 8x card would work just fine in a 4x slot, assuming it's an 'open' slot (the end of the plastic is intentionally left open to allow higher "x" cards to go in anyway), it just wouldn't use the full bandwidth that the card has to offer.

The SAS5iR didn't have an option to enable write cache. This hurts performance. The SAS6iR can enable write cache I believe, but there would be a risk; if the power goes out, data in write cache could be lost, meaning you end up with data corruption. This is why the PERC models have batteries; to allow the controller to keep that data in write cache till power is restored.

Thanks for the reply.

That's what I thought as well, but when I asked tech support, he said that was true with other brands but not with the PowerEdge models. When I install the Adaptec controller into either of the PCI 8x slots the system halts at "Resource Conflict - PCI in Slot 02/03 Bus 00." I can press F2 to continue and it seems to still work (Windows 2008 recognizes the adapter and I could install the driver). When I restarted again later it gave the same error but then booted into Recovery Mode (not sure if that's related yet, I haven't had time to look into it). Pressing F1 goes into the BIOS but I don't see any way to manually assign resources.

I'd love to get this card working but if that doesn't work I suppose I'll have to spring for the SAS6iR. There's a few on the site, I'm guessing this is the one I'm looking for?

I'm sorry for my ignorance (haven't used SAS) but it looks like SATA drives will plug in directly to the SAS6iR without any adapters. Is this correct?

Thanks again for the info.

The controller on the link can support SAS and SATA drives, up to eight (4 in each port).  You only need one cable (or two) that connects to the controller on one end and split into four on the other to connect to to the drives.

I am not sure this link is correct:

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

 but if you can really get the PERC 6/i controller for $239 vs $209 for the SAS 6/iR get it NOW!!!

The PERC 6/i has onboard memory cache powered with an independent battery (to save cached data in case of power failure), it also support a lot more RAID levels . . . and it smoked the SAS 6/iR controller on performance.

There is one problem with that linked model; it's made for systems that support integrated PERC models; it doesn't have the regular bracket to secure it in a PCIe slot (instead it comes with a metal plate to put it inside the server (usually near the front where the drives are located)). If you can find a bracket, or you're good with metal so that you can make a bracket, it should work in a regular PCIe slot though.

I'd definitely go for the PERC6i for $239. I just have three questions:

1) Why the price difference on all the integrated cards? Are there any differences in the models?

2) Will this card be supported by Dell in my T105? I'm primarily concerned with this error I'm having and I want to make sure I can send it back if I have the same issue.

3) Can I just attach another PCI bracket to it (with same distance between the screws on the left) and make it fit that way?

Thanks so much for your help.

You can remove the metal plate (two screws) and insert the controller in the PCIe slot directly, without the bracket.  The controller will not be rigidly secure in place but, as long as you do not plan to move the server aroud it will work . . . 

If all the PERC6i integrated models are the same, then they also have this one for $219.99: 

http://accessories.dell.com/sna/products/Controllers/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&cs=cadhs1&sku=341-7212#Overview

I have a couple of T105s with the sas 5/ir controller. Yes you can enable disk cache, if you have an UPS unit on it then I wouldn't think of it to be a big deal to enable. Good luck trying to find any other brand of RAID controller to work on it properly.

If you do go with a dell RAID controller, keep in mind you are going to need the HD fan kit or else it will always halt on missing HD fan error on boot, it's a good thing to have anyways to keep the drives cool.

Also beware of the clearance between the side of the case and the HDs, you'll want 90 degree connectors. I ended up ordering the original SAS cable for the T105, but realize that the cable only supports two drives instead of the full 4 that the 5/ir supports, or 6/ir (which supports 8 total i think, 4 per 8484 connector on the card).

EDIT:

Oh i forgot to add that you will also need a special cable to send HD activity from the SAS card to the motherboard for the HD LED on the front of the case. I just used one of those old internal analog audio cables that connect the motherboard to the CDROM...mine only had 3 conductors but worked fine if you get the orientation right.

Thank you everyone for your help and information so far.

I finally received my card (Dell PERC 6i / Product Code #341-7395) today. I was surprised to see that it wasn't as pictured on the website, but had the PCI bracket and fit nicely. Unfortunately, upon boot I received the same error as with the Adaptec (Resource Conflict). This doesn't matter right now, but I also noticed that it didn't come with an adapter to plug 7pin SATA HDDs into the wide-SAS ports on the card.

This, obviously, made me pretty angry, and after a long talk with technical support they said that the PERC 6i wasn't compatible with my T105. The only options I have for a RAID controller are the SAS 5/iR or SAS 6/iR, neither of which support RAID 10. So I guess I'm shipping this one back, ordering the SAS 6/iR and waiting another two weeks for it to arrive.

This is the card I'll be ordering as given to me by tech support. It looks like it has the same SAS connectors as the PERC 6i, which my 7pin SATA cables won't fit into. I'm new to SAS, so excuse my ignorance if I'm overlooking something obvious, but won't I need some sort of an adapter to plug in my SATA drives to the SAS 6/iR?

Thanks again for all your help. I hope this helps anybody else looking to get a RAID card for their T105.

I hate to revive this thread, but I finally received my SAS6iR today. They sent me two 1 x 32-pin SAS to 4 x 7-pin SATA cables, but the ones they sent have power and data combined. I wouldn't mind this, but of course the power connector it has is this rather strange 10-pin ATX-type lead which I don't have a clue what to do with.

Here are pictures of the cable and power lead (sorry for the *low* quality). I've looked at all of my power supplies and I can't find anything on the web about this 10-pin power adapter. I'd really like to avoid waiting another three weeks for Dell to send a little cable. Any ideas?

Hello BCAZANDER

Have you had any luck with this, I have received a cable, though I am unable to connect it to a power supply, if that is what I am suppose to do, the documentation supplied is no use & the on-line Pdfs are no good, I just hope I have the wrong cable, thanks. 

I have to same problem that I received the weird power connector cable for my T110.   The part number was provided by Dell Tech support.  Anyone found an adapter to connect to the power supply?  It looks like the 10 pin is supposed to adapt to two separate power rails supplying the SATA power.

Thanks!

I have to same problem that I received the weird power connector cable for my T110.   The part number was provided by Dell Tech support.  Anyone found an adapter to connect to the power supply?  It looks like the 10 pin is supposed to adapt to two separate power rails supplying the SATA power.   Thanks!

Hello, bbaez, Dell in fact sent me the wrong cable, the correct cable does not directly connect to the motherboard, it connects to the existing power cable from the motherboard, I am now awaiting a floppy drive so I can install the driver for the raid controller, thank you.