GIVE TWO REPLIES TO THIS POST ; The LSI MegaRAID SAS $9361-8$i includes:

Cache: $1$GB or $2$GB DDR$3/1866$MHz $($model$-$dependent$)$

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, VMware.

Management: MegaRAID Storage Manager, StorCLI $($Command$-$Line Interface$).$

Advanced Data Protection: CacheVault flash cache protection, support for self$-$encrypting drives $($SED$).$

RAID Levels Supported: RAID $0,1,5,6,10,50,60.$

Interface: PCIe $3\mathrm{.}0$ x$8.$

Cost is average

The Adaptec SmartRAID $3100$ Series includes:

RAID Levels Supported: RAID $0,1,1$E$,5,6,10,50,60.$

Cache: $4$GB DDR$4$ or $8$GB DDR$4($model$-$dependent$).$

Interface: PCIe $3\mathrm{.}0$ x$8.$

Management: Adaptec maxView Storage Manager.

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, VMware.

Advanced Data Protection: Zero$-$Maintenance Cache Protection $($ZMCP$),$ support for self$-$encrypting drives $($SED$).$

Cost is on the higher end

The Areca ARC$-1884$ixl$-12$: includes:

RAID Levels Supported: RAID $0,1,1$E$,3,5,6,10,30,50,60.$

Interface: PCIe $3\mathrm{.}0$ x$8.$

Management: Areca CLI, HTTP browser$-$based GUI.

Advanced Data Protection: Battery backup module $($BBM$),$ support for self$-$encrypting drives $($SED$).$

Compatibility: Windows, Linux, VMware.

Cache: $2$GB DDR$3-1866$ SDRAM.

Cost is average.

Both the ARC$-1884$ixl$-12$ and the LSI MegaRAID SAS $9361-8$i are closer to mid$-$range performance making them more cost friendly. If what is truly needed by your system is enhanced performance with advanced data protection then the Adaptec SmartRAID $3100$ Series would fill that niche a bit better since it includes a larger variety of features useful for high$-$performance environments such as enterprises.