5GbE and beyond ethernet adapters

[soreloser]

The "WISE" or "HQST" thingy is the transformer. The chipset is under the heat sink. Since you buy from the official Xikestor shop, the adapter should be correct.

From the descriptions, it should come with two types of brackets -- half height bracket (80x18mm) and full height bracket (120x18mm). You have to change to the full height bracket.

Contact the vendor if it only comes with the half height bracket.

You may also need to download the device driver if Windows does not have the built-in driver.
Xikestor has the 30.1 version and Intel website has version 30.3. So you may want to go with Intel site to download.

http://visit.xikestor.com:6555/app/file-en/new_download.html

Network Card->PCIe NIC->SKS-I226-2.5ET (version 30.1 now)​

https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...el-ethernet-adapter-complete-driver-pack.html (version 30.3 now).

Ended up rmaing the board, no issues whatsoever, went down there and completed the process in less than 1 hr. Props to CDL trading. No idea why the ethernet chip just died in the board though

 

[1 Ghz]

Two more interesting M.2 -> 10G daughterboard products from LRLink/LinkReal.

Marvell AQC113

Intel X550

I wonder when they will come out with their first M.2 -> 25G offering.

 

[xiaofan]

New chipset for USB 3.2 Gen 2*2 10Gbe Ethernet Adapter.

https://www.cnx-software.com/2025/0...bps-ethernet-cards-usb-adapters-and-switches/

Realtek RTL8159 specifications:

• Ethernet – 10Mps, 100Mps, 1000Mps, 2500Mps, 5000Mps, and 10Gbps
• Host interface – USB 3.2 Gen2 x2
• Features
  • CDC-NCM compatible
  • UEFI PEX
  • Hardware support for RSS
  • MAC Address pass-through
• Power consumption – TBD
• Package – 8×8 mm QFN68

 

[xiaofan]

XikeStor may soon offer RTL8159 based 10Gbe Network Adapter with USB 3.2 Gen 2*2 interface. This may be useful for some users who do not have USB4/TB4/TB3 interface on their laptop. Or desktop users who do not have spare PCIE slot.

Take note not many desktops/laptops have such 20Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2*2 Interface.

 

[LIN_JOEL]

Someone shared in the local broadband Facebook group. There’s a RTL8159 adapter by Diewu selling at USD $48 before shipping.
However already OOS and next available shipment is Oct.

 

[xiaofan]

Someone shared in the local broadband Facebook group. There’s a RTL8159 adapter by Diewu selling at USD $48 before shipping.
However already OOS and next available shipment is Oct.

Nice.

AliExpress entry: US$48.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/10GbE-USB-C-Ethernet-Adapter-USB3_1601486617235.html

Taobao official shop is also out of stock but the list price shown is too high at RMB 498. Maybe that is not the real price.

【淘宝】https://e.tb.cn/h.husGF3wKPIu6cPg?tk=wARD4P76O7f HU591 「10G网卡USB3.2网线转接口10000Mbps高速typec千兆万兆rj45有线转换器2.5Gwin10 11 笔记本台式机电脑使用」
点击链接直接打开 或者 淘宝搜索直接打开

 

[xiaofan]

Just as a comparison.

XikeStor USB4/TB4/TB3 to 10Gbe adapter is at RMB 538.36 now (usual price RMB 626).
This is the nicer new model SKN-U410GT (AQC113 chipset), less noisy than the older black version (AQC107 chipset). I have the older version.

【淘宝】假一赔四 https://e.tb.cn/h.husCDwKWr37HEYF?tk=t6T64P7kj9g HU287 「兮克usb4网卡10G电口雷电3/4转万兆网卡RJ45转接器SKN-U410GT雷电口转网线口雷电拓展坞适配器」
点击链接直接打开 或者 淘宝搜索直接打开

 

[LIN_JOEL]

Just as a comparison.

XikeStor USB4/TB4/TB3 to 10Gbe adapter is at RMB 538.36 now (usual price RMB 626).
This is the nicer new model SKN-U410GT (AQC113 chipset), less noisy than the older black version (AQC107 chipset). I have the older version.

【淘宝】假一赔四 https://e.tb.cn/h.husCDwKWr37HEYF?tk=t6T64P7kj9g HU287 「兮克usb4网卡10G电口雷电3/4转万兆网卡RJ45转接器SKN-U410GT雷电口转网线口雷电拓展坞适配器」
点击链接直接打开 或者 淘宝搜索直接打开

If my laptop support TB3 and Desktop support TB4 40Gbps / USB C 3.2 Gen 2 10gbps, its better to get AQC113 rather than RTL8159?

 

[xiaofan]

If my laptop support TB3 and Desktop support TB4 40Gbps / USB C 3.2 Gen 2 10gbps, its better to get AQC113 rather than RTL8159?

Yes, I will think USB4/TB3/TB4 interface is more stable for 10Gbe network card as it offers 40Gbps bandwidth.

RTL8159 is only recommended for those who do not have the USB4/TB3/TB4 interface, yet have USB 3.2 Gen 2*2 Interface (20Gbps).

Take note many USB 4 /TB4 ports do not support USB 3.2 Gen 2*2 speed (20Gbps), only USB 3.2 Gen 2 speed (10Gbps). Your TB3 port is not compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2*2 interface either. So you anyway cannot use RTL8159 based 10Gbe NIC effectively.

 

[jack27]

Just as a comparison.

XikeStor USB4/TB4/TB3 to 10Gbe adapter is at RMB 538.36 now (usual price RMB 626).
This is the nicer new model SKN-U410GT (AQC113 chipset), less noisy than the older black version (AQC107 chipset). I have the older version.

【淘宝】假一赔四 https://e.tb.cn/h.husCDwKWr37HEYF?tk=t6T64P7kj9g HU287 「兮克usb4网卡10G电口雷电3/4转万兆网卡RJ45转接器SKN-U410GT雷电口转网线口雷电拓展坞适配器」
点击链接直接打开 或者 淘宝搜索直接打开

Hi, did you try WERO 10G adapter before?
JHL7440+AQC113

 

[xiaofan]

Hi, did you try WERO 10G adapter before?
JHL7440+AQC113

No

I have three already, IOcrest, GRiS and XikeStor.

 

[ykeen]

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Ubiquiti-launches-5G-Ethernet-adapter-for-49.1101093.0.html

Something from Ubiquiti

https://store.ui.com/us/en/category...t-adapter/products/uacc-adapter-rj45-usbc-5ge

 

[xiaofan]

IOcrest USB4/TB4/TB3 to dual 10Gbe SFP+ adapter, based on Intel 82599ES chipset, RMB 699

The review seems to say that no problem with 10Gbps performance for single port, for dual ports then each is about 8.4Gbps.

Not so sure if this has any practical use cases versus the single port.

【淘宝】假一赔四 https://e.tb.cn/h.hzfIFPKI4EZYI94?tk=pbm24pcjf7M HU293 「乐扩 USB4/雷电转10G双光口SFP+网卡兼容雷电3/4 适用于苹果MAC M4免驱」
点击链接直接打开 或者 淘宝搜索直接打开

 

[xiaofan]

Realtek RTL8127 10GbE PCIe cards and M.2 modules are starting to show up for $35 and up​

https://www.cnx-software.com/2025/09/05/buy-realtek-rtl8127-10gbe-pcie-cards-and-m2-modules/

 

[perperdino]

does usb4 adapter generate alot of heat? will it overheat if like no fan blowing towards the area?

 

[guangzong]

Found a PCI-E Realtek RTL8127 on AliExpress:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...059394!ct!SG!183600667!!1!0#nav-specification

Only one review, which is positive.

 

[xiaofan]

does usb4 adapter generate alot of heat? will it overheat if like no fan blowing towards the area?

Many of them have internal fans (most of them low noise).

On the other hand, PCIe or M2 based 10Gbe NICs are always preferred over USB4/TB4/TB3 10Gbe NICs, or the new USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 10Gbe NICs.

 

[kickass22]

Many of them have internal fans (most of them low noise).

On the other hand, PCIe or M2 based 10Gbe NICs are always preferred over USB4/TB4/TB3 10Gbe NICs, or the new USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 10Gbe NICs.

Hi Xiaofan,

My apologies for thus newbie question, For my StarHub 5 Gbps, What Network adaptor card do I need to get for my Laptop? There seems to be a lot adaptor cards and most of what I read says, My laptops needs to have USB 4 / Thunderbolt to use the adaptor.

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Thank You.

 

[xiaofan]

Hi Xiaofan,

My apologies for thus newbie question, For my StarHub 5 Gbps, What Network adaptor card do I need to get for my Laptop? There seems to be a lot adaptor cards and most of what I read says, My laptops needs to have USB 4 / Thunderbolt to use the adaptor.

Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Thank You.

Please do not direct @ me for the initial technical question next time. Such question will be ignored. Thanks.

You may have to state your Laptop model and specifications to see if it really have USB4 or TB4 ports.

And if NO USB4/TB4 ports, does the laptop have USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps) or just USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (10Gbps)? Or even worse, only USB 3.2 Gen 1 port (5Gbps)?

What is your budget?

 

[perperdino]

Many of them have internal fans (most of them low noise).

On the other hand, PCIe or M2 based 10Gbe NICs are always preferred over USB4/TB4/TB3 10Gbe NICs, or the new USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 10Gbe NICs.

with so many reviews for aqc113 saying it heats up and it goes down
but i cant really visualize the extent of heat build up people are referring to
wont usb4 be more stable in this case?

i have both pcie g4 and usb4 free so i can pick either
hope to get just 1 with less troubleshooting


i looked through the post6 listings, the xikestor listing seem to be what i am looking for
just trying to see if there are any newer developments before i dig into this rabbit hole