RAID Cards
Dell PERC, HPE Smart Array, and LSI/Broadcom RAID controllers — tested and ready to drop into your server. Not sure which RAID level to run? Plan the array with our free RAID calculator first.
RAID Controllers — Dell PERC, HPE Smart Array, LSI/Broadcom
A RAID card, also called a RAID controller, is a dedicated expansion card that combines several drives into one array and presents it to the server as a single volume. It handles the striping, mirroring and parity work on its own processor instead of the host CPU, and on enterprise models it adds battery- or capacitor-backed write cache so writes survive a power cut. That is what makes RAID 5, 6 and 10 practical for databases, virtualization and file servers.
We stock tested Dell PERC and HPE Smart Array controllers matched to their server generations, plus LSI/Broadcom cards for Supermicro and custom builds — hardware RAID for datastores, and HBA/IT-mode cards for ZFS and software-defined storage that wants raw disks.
Picking the Right Controller
- Match the platform: PERC and Smart Array cards are generation-specific — the controller must speak to your backplane and fit the dedicated slot or its PCIe variant.
- Cache and battery: write-back cache needs a healthy battery or capacitor module; we test both before shipping.
- Port count: internal ports limit direct-attached drives — a SAS expander multiplies how many drives one card can address.
- RAID vs HBA: hardware RAID suits VMware/Windows datastores; ZFS, Ceph, and Storage Spaces want an HBA or a controller flashed to IT mode.
- RAID level support: entry-level cards stop at RAID 0/1/10; parity levels and nested RAID 50/60 need a controller with a cache module and full RAID firmware.
Plan the Array Before You Buy
Choosing between RAID 5, 6, and 10? Our free RAID calculator compares usable capacity, rebuild time, and failure risk for any drive count, and the IOPS calculator shows what performance to expect once the write penalty is counted. For a primer on the levels themselves — and on hardware RAID vs software RAID — read What is RAID? Then pick the drives to fill the bays.
Why Buy RAID Cards from PCSP
- Tested pulls: every controller is verified in compatible hardware before listing.
- Platform-matched: tell us your server model and backplane and we confirm the right card and cables.
- 90-day returns: DOA or non-conforming cards come back on us.
- Fast shipping: in-stock cards ship the same business day when ordered before 1:00 pm EST.
Quick Answers: Buying from PCSP
What does a RAID card do?
A RAID card combines several physical drives into one logical volume and manages how data is written across them — striped for speed, mirrored for redundancy, or with parity so the array survives a drive failure. It performs that work on its own processor and cache rather than the host CPU, monitors drive health, and rebuilds the array onto a replacement disk when one fails. The operating system sees one drive.
Do I need a RAID card, or is software RAID enough?
You need a RAID card for write-heavy parity workloads: the battery-backed cache on a hardware controller is what keeps RAID 5 and 6 fast under load, and VMware and Windows datastores expect a supported controller. Software RAID (Linux mdadm, ZFS, Windows Storage Spaces) is enough for lighter or capacity-oriented arrays and moves with the disks between machines. ZFS and Ceph specifically want raw disks, so pair them with an HBA or an IT-mode card instead.
Hardware RAID or HBA/IT-mode — which do I need?
Follow the operating system. VMware and Windows datastores want a hardware RAID controller with cache. ZFS, TrueNAS, Ceph, and Storage Spaces expect direct access to raw disks, so they call for an HBA or a controller running IT-mode firmware — hardware RAID in front of them causes more problems than it solves.
Does the card come with a cache battery?
Check the individual listing — cards ship with exactly what is pictured. When a battery or capacitor module is included, it has been tested along with the controller. Keep in mind that without a healthy battery most controllers disable write-back caching and fall back to slower write-through mode until one is fitted.
Will a controller from one server generation work in another?
Dell PERC and HPE Smart Array cards are tied to their platform generation — connectors, cabling, and dedicated slots change between generations. Send us your server model or service tag and we will confirm which controller and cables your chassis actually takes.
What happens to my existing array if I replace the controller?
A same-family replacement can usually import the existing configuration straight from the drives (a "foreign config" import) and bring the array back online intact. Still, treat any controller swap as a risk event: back up first, then swap, then import.
What is the return policy on controllers?
90-day returns cover dead-on-arrival and non-conforming cards at our expense. Orders placed before 1:00 pm EST ship the same business day, with free ground shipping on orders over $35 to the contiguous United States.