5GbE and beyond ethernet adapters

[abstrax]

ok. So if I install the 10G LAN, i will see 2 Ethernet (options) on the windows Network Connections (under control panel) and I just disable the other one? Yep.

Hope so, my PC has quite a few fans for good airflow.

Does your X540-T2 run hot? I saw it has heatsinks. there's 2 options, 矮挡板 and 高矮双挡板, may i know which you get ? The heatsink is super hot. same as SFP+. get the 高矮双挡板. If the NIC comes with the short bracket, u can change to the longer one to fit to ur casing.

 

[1 Ghz]

Does your X540-T2 run hot? I saw it has heatsinks. there's 2 options, 矮挡板 and 高矮双挡板, may i know which you get ?

Just be aware X540 uses PCIE 2.1 which is 5GT/s per lane, which is less than 5Gbps per lane after overhead. You will need >2 lanes on that last PCIE slot to hit 10G ceiling.

X540-T2 uses 17.4W @ 10G, requires 200LFM airflow.

 

[Jurong640]

Just be aware X540 uses PCIE 2.1 which is 5GT/s per lane, which is less than 5Gbps per lane after overhead. You will need >2 lanes on that last PCIE slot to hit 10G ceiling.

X540-T2 uses 17.4W @ 10G, requires 200LFM airflow.

what do you mean by the lanes? you mean the 2 ports, split 5g/5g?

According to the picture I posted few post ago, I only have the last slot below my GPU.

 

[1 Ghz]

what do you mean by the lanes? you mean the 2 ports, split 5g/5g?

According to the picture I posted few post ago, I only have the last slot below my GPU.

Lanes refer the to PCIE electrical connectivity between the CPU/chipset and the PCIE slot/card.

Your last PCIE slot is physically x16 (same as GPU), but we have no idea how many PCIE lanes it has. Many times, the last physical slot (regardless of how it looks physically ) is x1 or or x4 electrically.

Manufacturers still use physical x16 slot to provide mechanical support to the card and to ensure compatibility with x1, x4, x8, x16 PCIE cards. PCIE card with x4/x8/x16 lanes will work at x1 lane bandwidth when plugged into a physical x16 slot that only has x1 lane.

Furthermore, even if the slot supports PCIE 4.0 or 3.0, using a PCIE 2.0 card with that slot will mean the card still runs at PCIE 2.0 speeds.

So, knowing all of the above, the throughput of the card is the lower of the (lanes supported by the card | lanes supported by the slot) x lower of the (PCIE spec of the card | PCIE spec of the slot).

 

[Jurong640]

Lanes refer the to PCIE electrical connectivity between the CPU/chipset and the PCIE slot/card.

Your last PCIE slot is physically x16 (same as GPU), but we have no idea how many PCIE lanes it has is. Many times, the last physical slot (regardless of how it looks physically ) is x1 or or x4 electrically.

Manufacurers still use physical x16 slot to provide mechanical support to the card and to ensure compatibility with x1, x4, x8, x16 PCIE cards. PCIE card with x4/x8/x16 lanes will work at x1 lane bandwidth when plugged into a physical x16 slot that only has x1 lane.

Furthermore, even if the slot supports PCIE 4.0 or 3.0, using a PCIE 2.0 card with that slot will mean the card still runs at PCIE 2.0 speeds.

So, knowing all of the above, the throughput of the card is the lower of the (lanes supported by the card | lanes supported by the slot) x lower of the (PCIE spec of the card | PCIE spec of the slot).

i see. So this will mean, it will fit, but do not guarantee I will hit the max theoretical speeds of 8gbps ?

 

[1 Ghz]

i see. So this will mean, it will fit, but do not guarantee I will hit the max theoretical speeds of 8gbps ?

You will need to look up your motherboard’s specs. If the last slot is x4 electrically, you should be able to max out 10G. If it’s x2, you will be able to almost hit the XGSPON ceiling. All assuming you aren’t using a really old motherboard that only supports PCIE 1.0.

There are other things like CPU vs chipset lanes, but that’s a topic for another day …

 

[kindredSG]

According to the picture I posted few post ago, I only have the last slot below my GPU.

If you confirm your motherboard model it'll be easier, but as the post above explains, the lowest common denominator determines the speeds.

The X540-T2 is PCIe 2.x, so each lane is 5gbit (a bit less practically) and it support x8 lanes - so from a lane point of view, it could push up to 40gbit/s - which sort of makes sense, the card is dual 10gbit so it needs to support at least 20gbit etc.

Now look at the motherboard, even if the last slot is PCIe 3.0 or 4.0, it'll still only run at PCIe 2.0 since the card spec is the lowest at 2. So if you're running at PCIe 2.0 (5gbit per lane), you then look at how many lanes that slot has - which is typically x1 or x4 (I see x1 more for that last slot on average consumer boards), so the max speed of the card would be 5gbit x 1 = 5gbit. If it was x4 you'd be able to get ~20gbit from the card etc (transmission speeds - actual practical data transfer speed is a bit less).

So for your situation, to get near 10gbit (your SG 10gbit ISP connection only really gets to around 8gbit anyway), you need a solution where the lowest common spec amongst the card and motherboard is either PCIe 2.0 with 4 lanes, or PCIe 3.0 with at least 1 lane (~8gbit per lane - not strictly 10gbit, but as close as you'd practically see anyway) . So depending on your motherboard, if its PCIe 3.0 x1, the X540 will still only run at ~5gbit. If its PCIe 3.0 x4, the X540 could achieve 10gbit+.

So if your motherboard does end up to be PCIe 3.0 x1, the only way you're getting near 10gbit out of that slot is to find a PCIe 3.0 NIC, which will get you around 8gbit (bit less, but so are most ISPs etc..)

 

[Jurong640]

You will need to look up your motherboard’s specs. If the last slot is x4 electrically, you should be able to max out 10G. If it’s x2, you will be able to almost hit the XGSPON ceiling. All assuming you aren’t using a really old motherboard that only supports PCIE 1.0.

There are other things like CPU vs chipset lanes, but that’s a topic for another day …

If you confirm your motherboard model it'll be easier, but as the post above explains, the lowest common denominator determines the speeds.

The X540-T2 is PCIe 2.x, so each lane is 5gbit (a bit less practically) and it support x8 lanes - so from a lane point of view, it could push up to 40gbit/s - which sort of makes sense, the card is dual 10gbit so it needs to support at least 20gbit etc.

Now look at the motherboard, even if the last slot is PCIe 3.0 or 4.0, it'll still only run at PCIe 2.0 since the card spec is the lowest at 2. So if you're running at PCIe 2.0 (5gbit per lane), you then look at how many lanes that slot has - which is typically x1 or x4 (I see x1 more for that last slot on average consumer boards), so the max speed of the card would be 5gbit x 1 = 5gbit. If it was x4 you'd be able to get ~20gbit from the card etc (transmission speeds - actual practical data transfer speed is a bit less).

So for your situation, to get near 10gbit (your SG 10gbit ISP connection only really gets to around 8gbit anyway), you need a solution where the lowest common spec amongst the card and motherboard is either PCIe 2.0 with 4 lanes, or PCIe 3.0 with at least 1 lane (~8gbit per lane - not strictly 10gbit, but as close as you'd practically see anyway) . So depending on your motherboard, if its PCIe 3.0 x1, the X540 will still only run at ~5gbit. If its PCIe 3.0 x4, the X540 could achieve 10gbit+.

So if your motherboard does end up to be PCIe 3.0 x1, the only way you're getting near 10gbit out of that slot is to find a PCIe 3.0 NIC, which will get you around 8gbit (bit less, but so are most ISPs etc..)

Thanks guys.

My motherboard model is MSI B550M. The specs I googled is:

Chipset: AMD B550 Chipset

Graphics Interface
1x PCI-E 4.0 x16 slot
1x PCI-E 3.0 x16 slot
Support 2-way AMD CrossFire™ Technology

Expansion Slots 2x PCI-E 3.0 x1 slots

 

[1 Ghz]

Thanks guys.

My motherboard model is MSI B550M. The specs I googled is:

Chipset: AMD B550 Chipset

Graphics Interface
1x PCI-E 4.0 x16 slot
1x PCI-E 3.0 x16 slot
Support 2-way AMD CrossFire™ Technology

Expansion Slots 2x PCI-E 3.0 x1 slots

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B550M-MORTAR/Specification

Assuming that's the board:

• 1x PCIe 3.0/ 4.0 x16 slot (PCI_E1) (1)
• 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (PCI_E4), supports x4 mode (2)
• 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots

1. The supported specification depends on installed processor.
2. PCI_E4 will be unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed in the M2_2 slot.

Last slot is electrically x4, and is only available if you aren't using the M2_2 slot.

 

[1 Ghz]

The X540-T2 is PCIe 2.x, so each lane is 5gbit (a bit less practically) and it support x8 lanes - so from a lane point of view, it could push up to 40gbit/s - which sort of makes sense, the card is dual 10gbit so it needs to support at least 20gbit etc.

Small quibble - PCIE 1.0/2.0 has a 20% overhead compared to PCIE 3.0 and later (1.54%), which is pretty significant. Hence, effective throughput of each PCIE 2.0 lane is only 4Gbps (5GT/s - 20% overhead).

 

[phayze]

 

[Jurong640]

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B550M-MORTAR/Specification

Assuming that's the board:

• 1x PCIe 3.0/ 4.0 x16 slot (PCI_E1) (1)
• 1x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (PCI_E4), supports x4 mode (2)
• 2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots

1. The supported specification depends on installed processor.
2. PCI_E4 will be unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed in the M2_2 slot.

Last slot is electrically x4, and is only available if you aren't using the M2_2 slot.

Small quibble - PCIE 1.0/2.0 has a 20% overhead compared to PCIE 3.0 and later (1.54%), which is pretty significant. Hence, effective throughput of each PCIE 2.0 lane is only 4Gbps (5GT/s - 20% overhead).

that's the motherboard i'm using. The second last slot was used by my GPU and only left with 1 slot at the bottom. I have an SSD installed, but not sure if its attached to M2 _2 Slot though.

I watched the video above, it says if the SSD is installed on M2 slot, the last PCIe slot can still be installed, but may have bottle neck.

Saw the recommendations of Intel X540-T2, actually, what does the 2 ethernet port do when I only need one? Aggregate speeds?
Also, I;m using an AMD Processor, can I use this intel x540?

 

[1 Ghz]

that's the motherboard i'm using. The second last slot was used by my GPU and only left with 1 slot at the bottom. I have an SSD installed, but not sure if its attached to M2 _2 Slot though.

I watched the video above, it says if the SSD is installed on M2 slot, the last PCIe slot can still be installed, but may have bottle neck.

Saw the recommendations of Intel X540-T2, actually, what does the 2 ethernet port do when I only need one? Aggregate speeds?
Also, I;m using an AMD Processor, can I use this intel x540?

It's a server NIC; 2nd port is used for redundancy or aggregation.

As long as the M2_2 slot is empty, you can use the X540 card.

Regarding bottlenecks, B550 only has a x4 PCIE 3.0 link (~4GB/s) between CPU and chipset. 10G NIC will consume max x1.25 PCIE 3.0 lane's worth of BW in that link, leaving x2.75 PCIE 3.0 BW remaining for all other peripherals hanging off chipset. So if you are using multiple BW-heavy USB + SATA + NIC + Wifi concurrently, you can't attain max speed of some/all of those peripherals at the same time.

 

[kindredSG]

Last slot is electrically x4, and is only available if you aren't using the M2_2 slot.

It's kinda cool - you can literally see the bottom slot's pins aren't fully wired, so you know its not x16. The 1x slots are too cute lol.

 

[1 Ghz]

It's kinda cool - you can literally see the bottom slot's pins aren't fully wired, so you know its not x16. The 1x slots are too cute lol.

It doesn't cost much for the manufacturer to make those x1 slots open-ended, but they chose not to do so

 

[xiaofan]

Looks like the spec of the computer plays a part.

My old Acer Swift 3 laptop with Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU and 16GB/512GB running Windows 11 24H2. USB4/TB4 port, connected to Singtel ZTE F8648P ONR (Singtel 5Gbps plan).

Our new Acer Swift GO 14 OLED laptop with Intel Core Ultra 125H CPU and 16GB/1TB running Windows 11 24H2. USB4/TB4 port.

This is probbaly the limit of this USB to 5Gbps network adapter already.

WIth some RealTek Windows 11 driver updates on my older Acer Swift 3 early 2021 model (Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU, 16G/512GB configuration), the speed I get from the Wavelink USB to 5Gbe netowor adapter seems to get better now.

SIngtel ONR bridged --> Intel N100 mini PC virtual OpenWRT main router --> TP-Link HB710 in router mode (Double NAT) --> Acer Swift 3 laptop with Wavelink USB to 5Gbe adapter (connected to the USB4/TB4 port).

Tested twice and the speed achived is much better than before.

PS C:\work\speedtest\ookla-speedtest-1.2.0-win64> .\speedtest.exe -s 13623

   Speedtest by Ookla

      Server: Singtel - Singapore (id: 13623)
         ISP: Singtel Fibre
Idle Latency:     2.38 ms   (jitter: 0.48ms, low: 2.17ms, high: 3.67ms)
    Download:  4518.07 Mbps (data used: 6.0 GB)
                  8.63 ms   (jitter: 1.09ms, low: 1.86ms, high: 15.53ms)
      Upload:  4701.50 Mbps (data used: 5.1 GB)
                  6.72 ms   (jitter: 0.64ms, low: 2.68ms, high: 13.20ms)
 Packet Loss:     0.0%
  Result URL: https://www.speedtest.net/result/c/d3b4ec55-d35b-4ef8-a0f9-c6b7a488b772

PS C:\work\speedtest\ookla-speedtest-1.2.0-win64> .\speedtest.exe -s 13623

   Speedtest by Ookla

      Server: Singtel - Singapore (id: 13623)
         ISP: Singtel Fibre
Idle Latency:     2.47 ms   (jitter: 0.70ms, low: 1.85ms, high: 3.87ms)
    Download:  4502.90 Mbps (data used: 2.0 GB)
                  8.77 ms   (jitter: 0.93ms, low: 3.75ms, high: 11.62ms)
      Upload:  4555.11 Mbps (data used: 2.2 GB)
                  5.97 ms   (jitter: 1.26ms, low: 3.04ms, high: 16.33ms)
 Packet Loss:     0.0%
  Result URL: https://www.speedtest.net/result/c/963f6b58-97e8-4d0b-925f-923378b3e4a9

 

[xiaofan]

So far the reported fasted speed with the Wavelink USB 5Gbe adpater is from kashix, at 4759Mbps download and 4731 Mbps upload.

Just got my WAVLINK adapter delivered. I'm actually surprised they delivered it on Sunday.
Starhub 5Gbps ONT > Deco BE85 > Wavlink 5Gbps

 

[TanKianW]

The best way to know whether a mobo (chipset) supports your CPU's PCIE lanes is to check the CPU connectivity spec and the mobo block diagram.

 

[sfflatwhite]

HI all, any recommendations for a 10G NIC card for PC?

Mobo: X870 Asrock Pro RS with an open PCIE x 16 slot (Gen 4 x 4 lanes).
CPU: Ryzen 7600X
Good airflow PC build.

Ive signed up recently with Starhub for their 5GB plan + EB810v router. Having finally had a taste of 2gb speed (mobo LAN port) for past few weeks.. and now want moarrrr..

So far, shortlisted in my carts:-

- $130 (Amazon AG) : WAVLINK: 10G Base-T PCIe Network Card, 10000/5000/2500Mbps PCI Express Ethernet Adapter with AQC113 Controller: https://www.amazon.sg/gp/product/B0DNF1T55H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=AYH85219XLWXU&psc=1

- $75 (Amazon SG) 10Gtek 10Gb PCI-E NIC Network Card, Single Copper RJ45 Port, with Intel X540-BT1 - https://www.amazon.sg/gp/product/B01LWU8BEB/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ARPIJN329XQ0D&psc=1

// Edit: realised the 10Gtek card above would not negotiate at 5G. It is either you give it 10 or if not, it will drop nego at 1G? //

- $ 110 (Amazon SG) - ASUS 10Gbps Network Card XG-C100C V2 - https://www.amazon.sg/gp/product/B09Q546Y7N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AFOV6SKRLWY2&psc=1

// Edit, add x550 //

- $120 (Shopee) - X550-T2 10Gb PCIe Network Card RJ45 - https://sg.shp.ee/usTBgpp

Is there anything I should take note of with any of the above?

 

[snoopydog]

HI all, any recommendations for a 10G NIC card for PC?

Mobo: X870 Asrock Pro RS with an open PCIE x 16 slot (Gen 4 x 4 lanes).
CPU: Ryzen 7600X
Good airflow PC build.

Ive signed up recently with Starhub for their 5GB plan + EB810v router. Having finally had a taste of 2gb speed (mobo LAN port) for past few weeks.. and now want moarrrr..

So far, shortlisted in my Amazon cart:-

- $130 WAVLINK: 10G Base-T PCIe Network Card, 10000/5000/2500Mbps PCI Express Ethernet Adapter with AQC113 Controller: https://www.amazon.sg/gp/product/B0DNF1T55H/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=AYH85219XLWXU&psc=1

- $75 10Gtek 10Gb PCI-E NIC Network Card, Single Copper RJ45 Port, with Intel X540-BT1 - https://www.amazon.sg/gp/product/B01LWU8BEB/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ARPIJN329XQ0D&psc=1

// Edit: realised the 10Gtek card above would not negotiate at 5G? It is either you give it 10 or if not, it will drop nego at 1G? //

- $ 110 - ASUS 10Gbps Network Card XG-C100C V2 - https://www.amazon.sg/gp/product/B09Q546Y7N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AFOV6SKRLWY2&psc=1

Is there anything I should take note of with any of the above?

I am on the same plan with the same router
Bought the Wavlink 10Gbase NIC for less than S$90 at Shopee..works very well achieving about 4.7gbps up and down wired... and I am still on Cat5e cabling!
I was considering the intel x540 but not sure if it supports 5gps...specs usually states Data Rate Per Port: 10GbE / 1GbE / 100Mb.
I am happy with my Wavlink...its small form doesnt take up much room too.