5GbE and beyond ethernet adapters

[jjj9288]

There is a updated firmware 3.1.11.0 in Marvell webpage. Go download from there. It will not supersede/update your current firmware as it will recognize 3.1.10 as the latest.

1. Download Marvell drivers from https://www.marvell.com/support/downloads.html
A. Category - Marvell Public Drivers
B. Platform - Windows
C. AQC113 / AQC113C / AQC 113CS - All the same driver
D. Press apply and download to desktop
2. Control Panel - Devices - Network Adaptor - Marvell Aquion - Properties - Driver - Uninstall device
3. Reboot after uninstall device.
4. Control Panel - Devices - unknown device - properties - update driver - choose location of driver.
5. Once installed. Reboot for changes to take effect.
6 . You should see 3.1.11 in the driver details.

Uncheck WOL and "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE): Set to Disabled
Speed & Duplex: Set to 10 Gbps Full Duplex.
Recv Segment Coalescing (RSC) (IPv4/IPv6): i remain default.

Only issue i have is that i cannot torrent and WZ at the same time, it will crash the network adaptor.
IF anyone got a fix, please share

Managed to upgrade to 3.1.11.0 but Windows update auto downgrade it back to 3.1.10.0...

 

[xiaofan]

Another RTL8127 PCIe 4.0x1 10Gbe RJ45 adapter, simple review from STH.

https://www.servethehome.com/bzizu-realtek-rtl8127-pcie-10gbe-network-adapter-review

Key Lessons Learned
Low-cost 10Gbase-T options have expanded beyond Marvell AQC107 and AQC113-based adapters. Realtek RTL8127 brings another affordable choice for home labs and workstations that need faster networking without enterprise pricing.

PCIe Gen4 x1 provides sufficient bandwidth for 10GbE in each direction, making these cards practical for systems with limited expansion slot availability. A single-lane interface also reduces power consumption compared to wider PCIe NICs.

 

[xiaofan]

1. For those who want to get a new branded USB4/TB4/TB3 10Gbe RJ45 adapter, Sabrent NT-P10G USB4 10GbE Network Adapter may be an option at US$117 on Amazon. It is based on AWC113C chipset.

Review from STH.
https://www.servethehome.com/sabrent-nt-p10g-usb4-10gbe-network-adapter-review/

2. STH has also the review of XikeStor SKN-U310GT Realtek RTL8159 USB 10GbE NIC for those who do not have USB4/TB4 or TB3 port.

This was mentioned earlier in this thread, just repost for convenience.

https://www.servethehome.com/xikestor-skn-u310gt-realtek-rtl8159-usb-10gbe-nic-review/

1) USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 x86: Measured maximum 9.5Gbps throughput (spec: up to 9.6Gbps)
2) USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 x86 Measured 6.6Gbps throughput (spec: approximately 7Gbps)
3) USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 Apple M4 MBP Measured 6.3Gbps throughput
4) USB 3.2 Gen 1 x86: Measured 4.7Gbps throughput (spec: up to 5Gbps)

 

[keenklee]

1. For those who want to get a new branded USB4/TB4/TB3 10Gbe RJ45 adapter, Sabrent NT-P10G USB4 10GbE Network Adapter may be an option at US$117 on Amazon. It is based on AWC113C chipset.

Review from STH.
https://www.servethehome.com/sabrent-nt-p10g-usb4-10gbe-network-adapter-review/

2. STH has also the review of XikeStor SKN-U310GT Realtek RTL8159 USB 10GbE NIC for those who do not have USB4/TB4 or TB3 port.

This was mentioned earlier in this thread, just repost for convenience.

https://www.servethehome.com/xikestor-skn-u310gt-realtek-rtl8159-usb-10gbe-nic-review/

1) USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 x86: Measured maximum 9.5Gbps throughput (spec: up to 9.6Gbps)
2) USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 x86 Measured 6.6Gbps throughput (spec: approximately 7Gbps)
3) USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 Apple M4 MBP Measured 6.3Gbps throughput
4) USB 3.2 Gen 1 x86: Measured 4.7Gbps throughput (spec: up to 5Gbps)

IMHO.
I just want to update that my Xikestor, connected to an older notebook supposingly USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 can only get about 29xx / 31xx speedtest.

Also, not hopeful can get 9.5 Gbps for my connection.

 

[deathblade82]

Riding on this topic, my system has this following specs :

Processor AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS w/ Radeon 780M Graphics (3.80 GHz)
Installed RAM 32.0 GB (27.8 GB usable)
Graphics card AMD Radeon 780M Graphics (4 GB)
Storage 128 GB of 954 GB used

It has 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type C), when paired with a Wavlink 5G USB-C adaptor, max I can only get is about 3.3G up/down.

Is this due to my system limitation or is there any software settings I could optimize ? TIA.

 

[keenklee]

Riding on this topic, my system has this following specs :

Processor AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS w/ Radeon 780M Graphics (3.80 GHz)
Installed RAM 32.0 GB (27.8 GB usable)
Graphics card AMD Radeon 780M Graphics (4 GB)
Storage 128 GB of 954 GB used

It has 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type C), when paired with a Wavlink 5G USB-C adaptor, max I can only get is about 3.3G up/down.

Is this due to my system limitation or is there any software settings I could optimize ? TIA.

IMHO.
You ask this before right ?
I think should be be, like mine, your system limitation. I using the Xikestor 10GbE USB NIC and Wavlink 5GbE USB NIC, about the same results.

 

[linuskltan]

Riding on this topic, my system has this following specs :

Processor AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS w/ Radeon 780M Graphics (3.80 GHz)
Installed RAM 32.0 GB (27.8 GB usable)
Graphics card AMD Radeon 780M Graphics (4 GB)
Storage 128 GB of 954 GB used

It has 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type C), when paired with a Wavlink 5G USB-C adaptor, max I can only get is about 3.3G up/down.

Is this due to my system limitation or is there any software settings I could optimize ? TIA.

Your laptop USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports are capped at 5Gbps and with USB overheads, you are not going to get close to 5Gbps DL/UL speeds. You probably need at least USB 3.2 Gen 2 which supports up to 10 Gbps. You also need at least CAT6 ethernet cables, and suitable fibre broadband plan and router (and LAN port).

 

[keenklee]

IMHO.
I tried my Orico Thunderbolt 10G Ethernet Adapter on an Apple IPad Pro M4.
I feel the the performance not really fantastic - 78xx / 66xx
Was hoping for more.

 

[Kepller]

Has anyone here tested this adapter Tp-Link TX401: https://www.tp-link.com/sg/home-networking/high-power-adapter/tx401/
It is unclear which chip are they using.

Am I correct to assume the USB 3.1 Gen 2 spec of 10 Gbps bandwidth is accurate? It seems to be identical to USB 3.2 Gen 2. My Z390F ASUS ROG Motherboard has USB 3.1 Gen 2.

 

[keenklee]

Has anyone here tested this adapter Tp-Link TX401: https://www.tp-link.com/sg/home-networking/high-power-adapter/tx401/
It is unclear which chip are they using.

Am I correct to assume the USB 3.1 Gen 2 spec of 10 Gbps bandwidth is accurate? It seems to be identical to USB 3.2 Gen 2. My Z390F ASUS ROG Motherboard has USB 3.1 Gen 2.

IMHO.
The driver for the TX-401 V2 on the TP-Link website is for Windows 10 and dated 2024-09-23,
Internet says uses the Marvell chipset.
You can also consider the newer Realtek RTL8127 ones.

In short, the two USB are the same.

 

[deathblade82]

Your laptop USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports are capped at 5Gbps and with USB overheads, you are not going to get close to 5Gbps DL/UL speeds. You probably need at least USB 3.2 Gen 2 which supports up to 10 Gbps. You also need at least CAT6 ethernet cables, and suitable fibre broadband plan and router (and LAN port).

I am pretty sure everything else is fully compatible. Probably then is the USB port, is the limiting factor here.

 

[Kepller]

IMHO.
The driver for the TX-401 V2 on the TP-Link website is for Windows 10 and dated 2024-09-23,
Internet says uses the Marvell chipset.
You can also consider the newer Realtek RTL8127 ones.

In short, the two USB are the same.

Thanks for the info. I'll continue hunting for a cheap RTL8127 usb c dongle or pci e 4.0 variant, whichever is cheaper, though I think the usb c dongle variant maybe more "flexible" since it's simply plug and play (does not require opening my PC chassis), especially if I were to switch between multiple computers

 

[keenklee]

Thanks for the info. I'll continue hunting for a cheap RTL8127 usb c dongle or pci e 4.0 variant, whichever is cheaper, though I think the usb c dongle variant maybe more "flexible" since it's simply plug and play (does not require opening my PC chassis), especially if I were to switch between multiple computers

IMHO.
PCIe can get higher speed - tweak a little
USB have to tweak but not always can get high speed.
If 5G is ok, get Wavlink 5Gbe USB NIC, I consistently get 47xx/47xx.
The Wavelink got I user here report get around 3xxx only.

 

[yusoffb01]

Thanks for the info. I'll continue hunting for a cheap RTL8127 usb c dongle or pci e 4.0 variant, whichever is cheaper, though I think the usb c dongle variant maybe more "flexible" since it's simply plug and play (does not require opening my PC chassis), especially if I were to switch between multiple computers

rtl8127 usb requires usb 4 or usb 3.2 gen 2 x2. if you use on usb 3.2 gen 2, probably only get 6gbps.

 

[stanlawj]

WAVLINK USB4 / Thunderbolt 3/4/5 to 10Gbps Ethernet Adapter​

WL-NWU342G​

Powered by AQC113-B1

Review:


Works on M4 Ipad Pro too (Thunderbolt 3).

Wavlink official page: https://www.wavlink.com/en_us/product/WL-NWU342G-black.html

Google's analysis:

Feature	Marvell AQC113-B1	Realtek RTL8159
Primary Interface	PCIe 4.0 / 3.0 (Internal / Thunderbolt)	USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps Type-C)
Form Factor	Internal cards, desktop motherboards, large docks	Ultra-compact pocket dongles, portable adapters
Power & Thermals	Higher power draw; requires a dedicated heatsink	Under 2W; runs cool without heavy cooling
macOS Support	Native, excellent stability	Spotty; prone to performance drops or disconnects
Linux Support	Built into modern kernels; highly reliable	Requires manual driver tweaks on some distros
Windows Support	Plug-and-play; rock-solid performance	Plug-and-play; performs best on Windows
Price Range	Higher-end ($100 - $200+)	Budget-friendly ($50 - $80)
Best Used For	Pro workstations, NAS, sustained heavy editing	Laptops, Mini-PCs, affordable casual upgrades

 

[keenklee]

WAVLINK USB4 / Thunderbolt 3/4/5 to 10Gbps Ethernet Adapter​

WL-NWU342G​

Powered by AQC113-B1

Review:


Works on M4 Ipad Pro too (Thunderbolt 3).

Wavlink official page: https://www.wavlink.com/en_us/product/WL-NWU342G-black.html

Google's analysis:

Feature	Marvell AQC113-B1	Realtek RTL8159
Primary Interface	PCIe 4.0 / 3.0 (Internal / Thunderbolt)	USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps Type-C)
Form Factor	Internal cards, desktop motherboards, large docks	Ultra-compact pocket dongles, portable adapters
Power & Thermals	Higher power draw; requires a dedicated heatsink	Under 2W; runs cool without heavy cooling
macOS Support	Native, excellent stability	Spotty; prone to performance drops or disconnects
Linux Support	Built into modern kernels; highly reliable	Requires manual driver tweaks on some distros
Windows Support	Plug-and-play; rock-solid performance	Plug-and-play; performs best on Windows
Price Range	Higher-end ($100 - $200+)	Budget-friendly ($50 - $80)
Best Used For	Pro workstations, NAS, sustained heavy editing	Laptops, Mini-PCs, affordable casual upgrades

IMHO.
I will wait for someone local to test this.
I got 1x Orico and 1x Acasis but I am not getting those speed. Like I said, maybe my notebook low end.

 

[stanlawj]

IMHO.
I will wait for someone local to test this.
I got 1x Orico and 1x Acasis but I am not getting those speed. Like I said, maybe my notebook low end.

Your Orico and Acasis are both AQC113 chipset?

 

[keenklee]

Your Orico and Acasis are both AQC113 chipset?

IMHO.
I can't recall. I may do a check later.
So far, the maximum I've gotten is about 81xx/81xx on PCIe with Realtek.

 

[nezz78]

This is the best my Thunderbolt 3/4/5 to 10Gbps Ethernet Adapter can achieve on my Mac. is there anywhere can improve?

 

[xiaofan]

This is the best my Thunderbolt 3/4/5 to 10Gbps Ethernet Adapter can achieve on my Mac. is there anywhere can improve?

Nothing to improve already. You already hit the limit of XGS-PON technology used by local ISPs for the 10Gbps plan (kind of fake 10Gbps, should really be called 8.5Gbps plan).