StarTech.com SATA PCIe Card - 4 Port PCIe SATA Expansion Card - 6Gbps - Low Profile Bracket - Stacked SATA Connectors - ASM1164 Non-Raid - PCI Express to SATA Converter

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £39.47 ex-VAT, this StarTech PCIe SATA add-in card is a pretty sensible “get it done” purchase if you’re trying to add a few internal drives to an older desktop/server without swapping the whole machine. The ASM1164 non-RAID angle matters: it’s not trying to be clever or replace a proper RAID controller, it just exposes the drives to the OS as normal SATA devices. In real terms, that usually means fewer headaches, straightforward drive management, and good value for basic storage expansions (small file servers, backups, homelab boxes, secondary NAS duties, etc.).

That said, I’d only buy this if your expectations match what it is. If you need RAID features, performance under heavy concurrent I/O, or “enterprise-style” monitoring/management, you’ll be happier with a proper RAID/HBA controller rather than a basic adapter card. Also check your server/PC has enough airflow and clean PCIe slot power—4-drive SATA cards can be fine, but reliability still depends on the host system and your cabling. Bottom line: great for a straightforward, non-RAID expansion on a tight budget; not the right tool if you’re chasing redundancy, advanced storage management, or high-end throughput.