Lenovo ThinkSystem 545-8i RAID Controller

The Lenovo ThinkSystem 545-8i is a high-performance, cacheless RAID controller designed for enterprise storage environments. Based on the Broadcom MegaRAID 9540-8i chipset, it delivers reliable hardware RAID and HBA modes for SAS and SATA drives. With PCIe 4.0 x8 host interface and 8 internal ports via two SFF-8643 connectors, it supports up to 240 physical devices at 12 Gbps per port. Ideal for Lenovo ThinkSystem servers, this low-profile card includes both low-profile and full-height brackets for flexible installation.

Advantages

Optimized for maximum throughput and scalability, the 545-8i offers advanced RAID levels (0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60) and features like Online Capacity Expansion and RAID Level Migration. Its cacheless design reduces power consumption to just 13.5 W, making it an energy-efficient choice for data centers. Comprehensive management tools including StorCLI and UEFI HII simplify configuration and monitoring.

Suitable for

• Enterprise servers requiring hardware RAID or JBOD expansion
• Lenovo ThinkSystem and compatible x86 servers
• High-availability storage with hot spare support
• Virtualized environments (VMware, Hyper-V)

Key specifications

• Controller Chipset: Broadcom MegaRAID 9540-8i equivalent
• Host Interface: PCIe 4.0 x8
• Internal Ports: 8 (2 x SFF-8643)
• Data Transfer Rate: 12 Gbps per port
• Supported RAID Levels: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60
• Cache Memory: None (cacheless)
• Max Physical Devices: 240
• Form Factor: Low Profile (full-height bracket included)
• Power Consumption: 13.5 W typical
• Operating Modes: HBA (JBOD) and Hardware RAID

Recommendations

For optimal performance, pair with Lenovo ThinkSystem servers and enterprise-grade SAS SSDs. Use StorCLI for advanced RAID management. Ensure your system has a free PCIe 4.0 x8 slot and adequate cooling.