Microchip SmartRAID 3258-16i /e 24Gbps PCIe 4.0 x8 Tri-Mode RAID Controller, 16 Internal Ports, 8GB Cache 3258C16IXS

With a blistering 24 Gbit/s per port and PCIe 4.0 x8 host connectivity, the Microchip SmartRAID 3258-16i /e delivers enterprise-grade storage performance for demanding data centers. This tri-mode controller supports SAS, SATA, and NVMe drives simultaneously, giving you the flexibility to mix and match storage media without compromise.

Overview

The SmartRAID 3258-16i /e is a low-profile MD2 RAID controller built on the Microchip SmartROC 3200 processor. It features 16 internal ports via four SFF-8643 connectors, enabling direct attachment of up to 16 drives. With 8GB of DDR4 cache protected by flash-backed CacheVault technology, your data remains safe even in the event of power loss.

What stands out

• Tri-mode support: SAS-4, SATA-III, and NVMe drives in one controller
• High-performance 24 Gbit/s data rate per port
• Robust RAID engine supporting levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, and JBOD
• 8GB DDR4 cache with flash-backed protection for data integrity
• Advanced management via Microchip maxView Storage Manager
• maxCache 4.0 and maxCrypto for enhanced performance and security

Technical details

• Host Interface: PCI Express 4.0 x8
• Internal Connectors: 4 x SFF-8643 (Mini-SAS HD)
• Internal Ports: 16
• Data Transfer Rate: 24 Gbit/s per port
• Supported Protocols: SAS-4, SATA-III, NVMe
• RAID Levels: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, 60, JBOD
• Cache Memory: 8GB DDR4 with CacheVault flash protection
• Processor: Microchip SmartROC 3200
• Form Factor: Low-profile MD2
• Supported Drives: SAS, SATA, NVMe (Tri-Mode)
• Operating System Support: Windows, Linux, VMware ESXi
• Management Software: Microchip maxView Storage Manager
• Key Features: Tri-Mode support, maxCache 4.0, maxCrypto
• Compliance: RoHS, REACH, WEEE

Our verdict

The Microchip SmartRAID 3258-16i /e is a powerhouse for modern storage environments that demand high throughput and mixed-media flexibility. Its tri-mode capability and large protected cache make it an excellent choice for virtualization, database, and high-availability applications.