iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The LSI MegaRAID SAS3 9361-8i is an eight-port internal SAS/SATA RAID controller for servers, built around a PCIe 3.0 x8 interface and Broadcom’s SAS3108 RAID-on-Chip. It remains a clearly specified option for legacy SAS/SATA storage, but the available evidence supports a specification-based evaluation—not a claim that it is fast, reliable, or a good value in a particular system. Broadcom’s product brief is dated September 21, 2018; check present-day OS support, card condition, accessories, and price before buying.
What the 9361-8i is
The 9361-8i is an internal hardware RAID controller, not a SATA-only HBA and not an NVMe controller. Broadcom’s 2018 product brief describes a low-profile MD2 card measuring 6.6 × 2.536 inches, with a PCI Express 3.0 x8 host interface, a dual-core SAS3108 RAID-on-Chip, and two internal SFF-8643 connectors. Its eight internal ports support SAS and SATA drives, with a listed maximum data rate of 12 Gb/s per port. These are vendor specifications, not benchmark results. Broadcom product brief, September 21, 2018.
Broadcom documents two cache configurations: 1 GB and 2 GB of 1866 MHz DDR3. The product brief says the controller can address up to 128 SAS and/or SATA devices, typically through suitable drive enclosures or expanders; that maximum does not mean the card has 128 direct-attached ports.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Ports, cables, and drive compatibility
The card’s two SFF-8643 ports are internal Mini-SAS HD connectors. The cable you need depends on what they connect to: a backplane, drive cage, or individual drives. Match both cable ends to the controller and the target device, and verify whether the system uses a backplane or an expander. The connector on the card alone does not establish which cable assembly your server requires.
#1 Best Overall
- SAS drives: Supported, subject to the drive, backplane, and system configuration.
- SATA drives: Supported; the controller is specified for SAS and SATA devices.
- NVMe drives: Not supported as NVMe storage by this SAS/SATA controller.
Broadcom’s quick installation guide identifies the two SFF-8643 connectors and eight internal SAS/SATA ports. MegaRAID SAS 9361-4i and SAS 9361-8i RAID Controllers Quick Installation Guide, Revision E, March 9, 2018.
RAID levels and management features
Broadcom lists RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. The product brief also specifies online capacity expansion, RAID-level migration, rebuild resumption after power loss, single-controller multipathing and load balancing, configurable stripe sizes up to 1 MB, fast initialization, consistency checks, SSD Guard, patrol read, SMART support, automatic rebuild, and global or dedicated hot spares. It lists support for 64 logical drives and enclosure management through SES and SGPIO.
Management options named in the brief are MegaRAID Storage Manager, StorCLI, CTRL-R BIOS configuration, and HII UEFI management. Fast Path is listed as included; CacheCade Pro 2.0 is described as an optional upgrade. Do not assume a specific used card has a particular paid option or license enabled.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →CacheVault: optional cache protection
CacheVault is not guaranteed to be included with every 9361-8i. Broadcom lists the LSICVM02/CVM02 kit as optional; its documented components include a CVFM04 flash module, a CVPM02 supercapacitor power module, mounting clip, and cable. The flash module offloads cached data, while the supercapacitor provides backup power if the host loses power or the server fails. Confirm the kit and required mounting parts are physically included if cache protection matters to your build. Broadcom installation guide.
Rank #3
- Lsi Logic Megaraid Sas 9361-8i Sgl - 12gb/s Sas, Serial Ata/600 - Pci Express 3.0 X8 - Plug-in Card - Raid Supported - 0, 1, 5, 10, 50, 6, 60 Raid Level - 8 Sas Port(s)
Installation and operating-system support
- Check the PCIe slot. The card requires a PCIe x8-capable slot. Broadcom says it can operate in x8 or x16 slots, but warns that some motherboard slots are intended only for graphics cards. Consult the motherboard or server manual to confirm the slot supports a storage controller.
- Confirm the mechanical fit. The product brief describes an MD2 low-profile card. Check chassis clearance and whether the correct bracket is present for the enclosure.
- Choose the correct cables. Match the controller-side SFF-8643 connector to the backplane, expander, or drive-side connectors used in your system.
- Verify driver availability for your exact OS. The 2018 brief names Windows, Linux, Solaris x86, FreeBSD, and VMware, but directs readers to Broadcom’s download center for the complete supported-OS list. Because support depends on OS and driver version and can change, verify the current compatibility listing before deployment.
What to check before buying a used card
- Ask whether it is the 1 GB or 2 GB cache variant and request a clear photo of the card label.
- Confirm the two SFF-8643 ports, board condition, bracket, and any cables needed for your system.
- Ask whether the LSICVM02 CacheVault kit, mounting clip, and cable are included; do not infer this from the controller model alone.
- Check which management or optional features are enabled if you need them.
- Verify current driver support for your operating system and confirm the seller’s return terms.
Broadcom’s historical single-pack part numbers are 05-25420-08 for the 1 GB card and 05-25420-17 for the 2 GB card; the documented LSICVM02 kit part number is 05-25444-00. These identifiers can help validate what is offered, but do not establish current stock or the contents of a particular listing. Broadcom product brief.
Performance, reliability, and age: what the specifications do not prove
The 12 Gb/s-per-port figure is Broadcom’s interface specification, not a promise of sustained array throughput. No independent benchmark or system-specific test result is established here for throughput, latency, power draw, or real-world reliability. Actual results depend on the drives, RAID level, workload, cabling, host, and configuration.
Rank #4
- Connect up to 128 SATA or SAS drives with eight internal 12Gb/s SATA and SAS ports
- Fit into rack-mounted servers with low-profile form factor and side-mounted SAS connectors
- Support critical, high-bandwidth applications with PCIe 3.0 connectivity
- Balance protection and performance for critical applications with RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60
- Add More Protection And Peace Of Mind With Optional Cache vault Flash Cache Protection
The same 2018 brief gives a calculated MTBF of 1,343,187 hours. That is a vendor-calculated specification, not a prediction of how long an individual used card will operate in the field. Broadcom’s brief also describes a three-year hardware warranty, free 5×8 phone support, and an advanced replacement option; current eligibility and terms for a new or second-hand purchase are not established.
Is the LSI 9361-8i still worth buying?
It is worth considering when a server needs an internal SAS/SATA RAID controller, the PCIe slot and cabling fit, and a compatible driver is available for the intended OS. Its documented RAID levels, cache choices, and optional CacheVault make it a feature-rich older-generation controller on paper. It is a poor fit if you need NVMe support, cannot verify driver compatibility, or require included cache protection and the seller cannot confirm the kit.
Because the product brief dates to 2018 and present-day pricing, stock, and competing-card comparisons are not established here, there is no defensible blanket value ranking. Compare the exact card, accessories, support lifecycle, and price against the requirements of your system rather than treating the model name as proof of suitability.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
