HP z820 - PERC H710P - Cable ?

[lemence]

Hi,

I'm trying to install PERC H710p RAID controller card, can anyone help me with what cable do I need to connect 4x SATA HDs?

Thanks in advance.

[BambiBoomZ]

Lemence,

There are two ports and the cables used are a sprig of quite thin double cables- mini SAS to 4X SATA cables per port, with 90 degree drive side connectors. Something like this:

I have a not yet installed Dell PERC H310  (intended for a Dell Precision 390) which uses the same configuration and the cables appear to be the same thin double cable and the blue color.  Consider looking for: "Cable Matters Internal Mini SAS to SATA Cable (SFF-8087 to SATA Forward Breakout)".

> Verify with them that this is correct. It seems odd to me that while the PERC H710P are PCIe x8 and each SATA 3.0 port takes x2, that the cables should be 1X mini SAS into 2X SATA not 4X.  SAS drives as dais- chained seems correct. However, as mentioned, the H310 arrived with the same cable configuration as the above.

One other consideration with these controllers: they apparently make a ton of heat.

There is a quite similar HP 9212-4i HBA/ RAID SAS/SATA controller in the office z420 and that  is extremely hot running.  I leave the two slot covers below it on the back panel off to allow more air to circulate out the back. The HP 9212-4i by the way, also x8, uses 4X mini-SATA to SATA.

Somehow, I'm more confident of full bandwidth on 4-ports to 4 connectors. Sorry I couldn't be more exact in the recommendation. I believe Cable Matters can sort out the situation.

BambiBoomZ

[DGroves · Accepted solution]

one other thing you need to be aware of, the cable MUST BE A "FORWARD" TYPE SFF-8087 to SAS/SATA

not a reverse one, they look exactly the same but are wired different

again you need a "FORWARD" sff-8087 cable for each port on the dell 310 card (two cable sets)

next, the dell H710 card uses the LSI 2208 chip the z820 uses the 2308 as such there will be absolutely no speed or feature set improvements over the onboard SAS/SATA controller

if you are looking for more speed or more raid modes i recommend a adaptec ASR -71605 with the optional cache/supercap module, which is about 60.00 on ebay, again you will need the correct  sff-8647 "forward type to SAS/SATA cables and 4 MALE TO MALE adapters to allow the 71605 to connect to the z820 's 4 internal hotswap bays

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adaptec-ASR-71605-1GB-16Port-PCIe-Raid-w-Battery-4x-Cables-SFF-8643-to-SATA...

https://www.amazon.com/Dalco-SATA-Cable-Coupler-Adapter/dp/B0033Z74L2/ref=pd_lpo_147_t_2/132-7232683...

or

https://www.amazon.com/SATA-Cable-Male-Connections-Pin/dp/B002P6Y4HC