Intel
Intel W56W0, 0W56W0 Dell PERC H700 512MB SAS RAID Controller
★★★★★
Deliver 6 Gb/s SAS RAID performance with 512 MB of write-back cache for your Dell PowerEdge server.
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Overview
Supercharge Your Server Performance with Advanced RAID Control
Maximize data reliability and performance with the Dell PowerEdge PERC H700 RAID Controller. Featuring 512MB of cache and 6Gb/s SAS connectivity, this PCIe 2.0 x8 card delivers robust RAID capabilities for your Dell PowerEdge server. Ensure data integrity and accelerate your applications with this high-performance RAID controller.
Specifications:
- Hardware Interface: SAS, PCI
- Compatible Devices: Server, Workstation
- Operating System: Windows Server, Linux
- Item Weight: 12.8 ounces
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- 6 Gb/s SAS interface doubles the per-port bandwidth of its 3 Gb/s predecessor, reducing I/O bottlenecks on busy arrays.
- 512 MB of DDR2 write-back cache accelerates random write performance, critical for database and virtualization workloads.
- PCIe 2.0 x8 bus provides 4 GB/s of host bandwidth, sufficient to saturate multiple drive arrays simultaneously.
- Support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60 covers the full spectrum from performance-first to redundancy-first configurations.
- Compatible with both SAS and SATA drives, allowing flexible storage tiering within a single server.
👎 Cons
- 512 MB cache is modest by current standards — write-intensive workloads on large arrays may benefit from the 1 GB variant.
- Battery Backup Unit for write-back cache protection is sold separately, adding cost to reach production-ready configuration.
- PCIe 2.0 x8 interface limits future use in newer servers that could benefit from PCIe 3.0 bandwidth.
- This is a refurbished or third-party-sourced part — no original Dell warranty, so reliability depends on the seller's quality control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dell PowerEdge servers are compatible with the PERC H700?
The PERC H700 is designed for Dell PowerEdge 11th and 12th generation servers, including the R710, R610, R510, R810, T610, and T710 among others. It uses a PCIe 2.0 x8 slot. Verify your specific chassis supports the H700's full-height bracket or request a low-profile bracket if needed.
What RAID levels does the PERC H700 support?
The H700 supports RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. This gives you flexibility ranging from pure striping performance (RAID 0) to dual-parity protection (RAID 6/60) depending on your availability and throughput requirements.
Does the 512 MB cache include battery backup for write-back caching?
The controller supports a Battery Backup Unit (BBU) or RAID controller battery, but it is typically sold separately. Without a BBU, the controller defaults to write-through mode, which is significantly slower for write-heavy workloads. A BBU is strongly recommended for production use.
Can this controller manage both SAS and SATA drives simultaneously?
Yes. The PERC H700 supports both SAS and SATA drives on the same controller, though mixing drive types within a single RAID array is not recommended due to performance differences. Use separate arrays for SAS and SATA drives.
What is the maximum storage capacity this controller can address?
The PERC H700 supports up to 32 physical drives and can address drives larger than 2 TB using GPT. Maximum array sizes depend on the RAID level and number of connected drives.
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