[CentOS] SAS/SATA DAS

I need to replace a slow HP MSA20 that's a bottleneck right now (We are an HP shop).
HP's only option with 3.5" SATA drives is stuck at SATA I behind a SAS controller.
Dell makes an MD1000 that claims SATA II speeds behind a SAS Perc 5/E (Don't know anything about dell).

Anyone got any real world info they can share? I need 3.5" SATA II at least 12 drives behind SAS,
I am not concerned about space and could use multiple 1u chassis if I had to.

Thanks!
jlc
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