sata problems

[Christopher Chan]

> I have had a similar problem with USB connected SATA drives (system 
> crashes or hangs when writing to more than 1 drive simultaneously, read 
> from one, write to another works)  and decided to try moving them to an 
> ESATA interface.  I have heard that the AHCI based controllers on the 
> motherboard are often the most reliable soulutions.    I'm planning to 
> try this card which is sil3124 based.  At least a handful of people have 
> reported success with the 3124 chipset.
> http://eshop.macsales.com/item/DAT%20Optic/ESATAPCIE8/

The Silicon Image 3124 appears to be one of the more stable sata chipset 
available. However, even that has issues with certain multiplexers IIRC. 
The Marvell 8 port sata chipset is perhaps the most stable. It was used 
in the Sun Thumper. Supermicro has such a card...