StarTech.com
StarTech.com 4 Port PCI Express 2.0 SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller Card
Bottom line: The StarTech.com 4 Port PCI Express 2.0 SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller: 4x SATA III 6Gbps ports added via a single PCIe 2.0 x1 slot; main trade-off: hyperDuo tiering works only on Windows, not Mac or Linux.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 4x SATA III 6Gbps ports added via a single PCIe 2.0 x1 slot
- ✓ HyperDuo SSD auto-tiering blends SSD speed with HDD capacity
- ✓ Marvell hardware RAID 0, 1, and 1+0 plus JBOD via BIOS
- ✓ NCQ and Port Multiplier support for multi-drive setups
- ✓ Full and low-profile brackets fit standard and SFF cases
Cons
- ✗ HyperDuo tiering works only on Windows, not Mac or Linux
- ✗ PCIe x1 bandwidth bottlenecks four simultaneous 6Gbps drives
- ✗ Marvell Storage Utility setup steep for first-time RAID users
Manufacturer description
The PEXSAT34RH 4-Port PCI Express 2.0 SATA Controller Card with HyperDuo adds 4 AHCI SATA III ports to a computer through a PCIe slot (x2), delivering multiple internal 6Gbps connections for high-performance hard drives and Solid State Drives (SSDs). Featuring HyperDuo technology, the SATA card offers SSD auto-tiering which lets you balance the performance advantages of SSD storage with the cost-effectiveness and large capacity of standard hard drives. By combining SSD and HDD drives into a single volume (up to 3 SSD + 1 HDD), HyperDuo discreetly works in the background to identify and move…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored StarTech.com 4 Port PCI Express 2.0 SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. StarTech.com's ssds & storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for ssds & storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Key Features
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE: Add four SATA III 6Gbps ports to your desktop computer or server using a PCIe x1 slot to connect SATA drives (HDD/SSD); 4-Port SATA PCIe card features 4x SATA connections for connecting drives using SATA cables (sold separately)
- MARVELL RAID CONTROLLER: JBOD or Hardware RAID 0, 1, and 1+0 modes can be configured through BIOS - HyperDuo feature allocates frequently accessed files to faster SSD drive - Supports Port Multiplier, Native Command Queuing (NCQ) and ATA/ATAPI commands
- COMPATIBILITY: Supports PCIe 2.0, SATA III & AHCI specs and backwards compatible w/ earlier versions - Supports Windows, Mac, and Linux and is also compatible with Optical/Blu-Ray drives - NOTE: HyperDuo configuration supported in Windows only
- EASY INSTALL: Expansion card includes full and low-profile brackets for PCIe slot compatibility - Marvell Storage Utility software included for card configuration and drive management
Full Specifications
| Brand | StarTech.com |
|---|---|
| Style | 4x SATA III |
| Style Name | 4x SATA III |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Model Number | PEXSAT34RH |
| Compatibility | Mac, Linux |
| Built-In Media | Storage controller (RAID) - plug-in card - low profile |
| Mfr Part Number | PEXSAT34RH |
| Compatible Devices | Fully compliant with SATA 3.0 specifications and backward compatible with SATA I/II (1.5/3.0Gbps) drives |
| Hardware Interface | SATA 6.0 Gb/s |
| Warranty Description | 2-Year |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 2.8"L x 4.7"W x 0.8"H |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00065030849951 |
| Full listing title | StarTech.com 4 Port PCI Express 2.0 SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller Card with HyperDuo SSD Tiering - PCIe SATA 3 Controller Adapter , TAA (PEXSAT34RH) |
Ready to buy?
StarTech.com 4 Port PCI Express 2.0 SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller Card with HyperDuo SSD Tiering - PCIe SATA 3 Controller Adapter , TAA (PEXSAT34RH) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
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