The sound card should work.
Raptor recommends either an Radeon HD5850 or an HD7950, but an HD6850 might work.

Why two SAS controllers, and does either utilize a card slot (which would eliminate the possiblity of using the sound card).

And I won't question the idea of using an SAS controller with SATA drives, as I've done it.

I envy you, but I'm joining you ASAP.

Edit - Maybe not ASAP. I keep moving back and forth on this.

If, as a group, we were committed to continuing to support Power with the adoption Power 9, it would be an easier sell.

But, focusing solely on Power 9 wouldn't make sense.
No low power options, no portable/laptop solutions.

We have PowerBooks now, and if it reaches production, the possibility of supporting the T2080 laptop.

But an X64 shift does make sense.

[ Edited by Jim 31.05.2018 - 13:10 ]