Pomya 6-Port PCI Express SATA III Expansion Card

1. Introduction and Overview

The Pomya PCE6SAT-M01 is a PCI Express 2.0 expansion card designed to add six SATA III 6Gbps ports to your computer system. It provides high-speed connectivity for SATA devices such as hard drives and solid-state drives, supporting SATA 6Gbps, 3Gbps, and 1.5Gbps speeds. This card operates in AHCI mode, functioning as a host bus adapter for expanded storage connectivity. While the product name may include 'RAID Controller Card', this device primarily functions as a SATA host bus adapter and does not provide hardware RAID capabilities. Software RAID solutions may be implemented via your operating system.

Image 1: Overview of the Pomya 6-Port PCI Express SATA III Expansion Card.

2. Features

• SATA Compatibility: Compatible with Serial SATA 3.0 specification, backward compatible with SATA 2.0 and SATA 1.0.
• PCI-Express Compliance: Compliant with PCI-Express v2.0 specification, backward compatible with PCI-Express v1.0.
• Speed Support: Supports communication speeds of 6.0 Gbps, 3.0 Gbps, and 1.5 Gbps.
• Generation Support: Supports Gen 1i, Gen 1x, Gen 2i, Gen 2m, Gen 2x, and Gen 3i.
• Port Multiplier Support: Supports FIS (Frame Information Structure) based on port multiplier switch or command switching.
• Operating Mode: Operates in AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) mode.

Image 2: The card supports communication speeds of 6.0 Gbps, 3.0 Gbps, and 1.5 Gbps.

Image 3: The card is compliant with Serial ATA 3.0 specification and backward compatible with SATA 2.0 and SATA 1.0.

Image 4: The card is compliant with PCI-Express v2.0 specification and backward compatible with PCI-Express v1.0.

3. System Requirements

• An available PCI-Express slot (x1, x4, x8, or x16).
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7, Windows 10, Linux.
• SATA data cables (not included).
• Power cables for SATA devices (not included).

4. Setup and Installation

4.1 Physical Installation

1. Power Off: Power off your computer completely and disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet.
2. Open Case: Open your computer's side panel to access the motherboard.
3. Locate Slot: Identify an available PCI-Express slot (x1, x4, x8, or x16).
4. Insert Card: Carefully align the PCE6SAT-M01 card with the chosen PCI-Express slot and press down firmly until it is securely seated.
5. Secure Card: Use a screw or the case's retention clip to secure the card in place.
6. Close Case: Close the computer case and reconnect the power cord.

Image 5: Top-down view of the PCE6SAT-M01 card, showing the PCI-Express connector and SATA ports.

4.2 Driver Installation

For most modern operating systems (Windows 7/10, Linux), the PCE6SAT-M01 card should be recognized automatically as a standard AHCI SATA controller. The necessary drivers are typically included with the operating system and will be installed automatically upon first boot. Manual driver installation is rarely required. If prompted for drivers, refer to the manufacturer's website for the latest versions.

4.3 Connecting SATA Devices

1. Data Cables: Connect SATA data cables from the six ports on the PCE6SAT-M01 card to your SATA hard drives or SSDs.
2. Power Cables: Ensure all connected SATA devices receive adequate power from your computer's power supply.

5. Operating Instructions

5.1 BIOS/UEFI Configuration for Boot Drives

The SATA interface mode of this PCI-E to SATA 3.0 card is AHCI. If you intend to boot your operating system from a disk connected to this card, it is crucial that your system disk was originally installed in AHCI mode when the operating system was set up on your motherboard. If this condition is met, you can directly connect the hard drive to the PCE6SAT-M01 card and then enter your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings to set this disk as the primary boot device.

If you encounter boot issues (e.g., the system fails to start or restarts repeatedly) after connecting a system disk to this card, it may be due to a conflict between your motherboard's integrated SATA controller and the PCE6SAT-M01 card. To resolve this, enter your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings and locate the option for the integrated SATA interface. Set this option to Disabled. Save the changes and restart your system.

5.2 Disk Management

After successful installation and system boot, any newly connected drives via the PCE6SAT-M01 card will appear in your operating system's disk management utility. For Windows, access 'Disk Management' (right-click on 'This PC' -> 'Manage' -> 'Disk Management'). For Linux, use tools like 'GParted' or command-line utilities such as 'fdisk' or 'lsblk'. New drives may need to be initialized, partitioned, and formatted before they can be used for storage.

6. Troubleshooting

• Card Not Detected:
  • Ensure the card is fully and correctly seated in the PCI-Express slot.
  • Try installing the card in a different PCI-Express slot on your motherboard.
  • Verify that the PCI-Express slot is enabled in your motherboard's BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Drives Not Detected:
  • Check all SATA data and power cable connections to ensure they are secure.
  • Confirm that your SATA drives are receiving power from the power supply.
  • In your operating system's disk management utility, ensure the drives are initialized, partitioned, and formatted.
• Boot Issues After Installation:
  • Refer to the 5.1 BIOS/UEFI Configuration for Boot Drives section. Ensure your system disk was installed in AHCI mode and adjust motherboard SATA settings if conflicts arise.
• Slow Performance:
  • Ensure you are using SATA III (6Gbps) compatible drives and high-quality SATA data cables.
  • Verify the card is installed in a PCI-Express 2.0 (or higher) slot for optimal bandwidth.

7. Specifications

8. Warranty Information

For detailed warranty terms and conditions, please refer to the official Pomya website or the warranty card included with your product packaging. Warranty coverage typically includes manufacturing defects for a specified period from the date of purchase.

9. Support

Should you require technical assistance, have questions about product functionality, or need troubleshooting guidance beyond this manual, please visit the official Pomya support website. You can typically find FAQs, driver downloads, and contact information for customer service there.

Pomya Official Website: Visit Pomya Store on Amazon