the 1231 is sata 3gb.s. anyone investing money in a 3gb/s card right now is mentally retarded. by this time next year all drives will have 6gb.s drives. you want your controller to be forward compatible right? the difference between the 1231 and the 9260-8i does n0ot even begin to justify the cost of the 1231. DOUBLY so considering that is a last gen card.