I'd like to share my specification which is finally works absolutely fine with ESXi 5.1.0,838463
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Motherboard: GA-Z77MX-D3H
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-3770 Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)
Cooler: Zalman CNPS8900 Extreme
RAM: 4 x CORSAIR XMS3 Classic CMX8GX3M1A1333C9 DDR3 8Gb
SSD for ESXi system: Intel 520 Series SSDSC2CW120A310 120Gb
RAID controller: 3ware 9650SE-LP
HDD for datastore: SEAGATE Constellation ES.2 ST33000650NS, 3Tb
LAN controller: Intel EXPI9402PT PCI-E4(Intel Pro/1000 PT DUAL PORT)
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To make these parts work together with latest ESXi you just need to do
only two steps:
1. Upgrade firmware at your 3ware 9650SE-LP to the latest one(v4.10.00.027) for correct detection of large size HDDs.
2. Implement 3ware and Atheros drivers into the installation .iso file with ESX Customizer v2.7.1
That's all.
I'll attach to this message some screenshots of my working system and archive with drivers and firmware used by me to prepare the correct .iso file.

Best regards, Alex.

Nice.

Any chance that you can attach a screenshot of the Summary tab too, that shows if this setup supports VMDirectPath?

Sorry, I haven't got access to this system.

You may wish to carefully test your atheros nic. I tried the driver you are using and it would work long enough to configure an IP and send a few pings, and then it would die with TX/RX overflow messages in the console.

Better late than never.
I can get a short time access to the production system for take a picture.

Ok. Thank you for information!
I didn't get any complaints about this system, but nothing is permanent in this world.
Just in case: do you have a correct Atheros driver?

Yes look in the customizing images sub forum. I have a thread there.