5GbE and beyond ethernet adapters

[cj2502]

Hi, need some advice.

I am currently on a 1gbps plan, upgrading to a 10gbps plan.

PC has always been running wired direct to router. However, the existing hardware is not sufficient to support anything beyond 1gbps hence i am looking for solutions.

Initial thought was to run a 10gbps PCIE card, but my graphics card might be blocking the PCIE slot. Anyone has recommendations on the slimmest 10gbps PCIE card? I have at most 6mm-7mm from my graphics card to the middle of the PCIE slot further down.

An alternative would be to use a USB based ethernet dongle, but there doesn't seem to be a 10gbps one that could work with USB 3.1 (Type A/C).

Just for info, i am using a Gigabyte Aorus B450 Pro Wifi MOBO.
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B450-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-1x

 

[morimorimori]

Slimness is not the issue. The card back is already the thinnest part, any spread is towards the bottom of the case. If the gfx card is less than 3 slot (including fan shroud) another card should be able to fit.

Otherwise you can look for a m2 to 10gig adapter or 2.5/ 5 gig x1 card.

 

[limck]

Hi, need some advice.

I am currently on a 1gbps plan, upgrading to a 10gbps plan.

PC has always been running wired direct to router. However, the existing hardware is not sufficient to support anything beyond 1gbps hence i am looking for solutions.

Initial thought was to run a 10gbps PCIE card, but my graphics card might be blocking the PCIE slot. Anyone has recommendations on the slimmest 10gbps PCIE card? I have at most 6mm-7mm from my graphics card to the middle of the PCIE slot further down.

An alternative would be to use a USB based ethernet dongle, but there doesn't seem to be a 10gbps one that could work with USB 3.1 (Type A/C).

Just for info, i am using a Gigabyte Aorus B450 Pro Wifi MOBO.
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B450-AORUS-PRO-WIFI-rev-1x

You have another PCIE slot at the bottom so why cannot use that for the network card?

 

[acpower2025]

You have another PCIE slot at the bottom so why cannot use that for the network card?

Agreed. This is the best solution. 10Gbe internet card is acceptable. You may consider the 10Gbe solution from Wavelink. I also use a 10Gbe network card in my Asus MB.

 

[cj2502]

Actually just had a relook.

I mistakenly thought the semi covered slot was PCIe 3x4. Seems it’s only PCIe 2.0x4.

in such case even that port might struggle to support 10gbps?

 

[cj2502]

You have another PCIE slot at the bottom so why cannot use that for the network card?

Do correct me if I am wrong but the bottom slot is a PCIe 2.0x1… seems it would support a 10gbps card?

 

[limck]

Do correct me if I am wrong but the bottom slot is a PCIe 2.0x1… seems it would support a 10gbps card?

you need PCIe 3.0 X4 or PCIe 4.0 to support 10Gbps.

 

[cj2502]

you need PCIe 3.0 X4 or PCIe 4.0 to support 10Gbps.

Thanks for the clarification. Which in short, means none of the open ports on my MOBO supports 10gbps.

maybe changing to a newer mobo with onboard 10gbps lan port might be overall a better solution.

 

[limck]

Thanks for the clarification. Which in short, means none of the open ports on my MOBO supports 10gbps.

maybe changing to a newer mobo with onboard 10gbps lan port might be overall a better solution.

good excuse to change a new computer.

 

[guangzong]

Do correct me if I am wrong but the bottom slot is a PCIe 2.0x1… seems it would support a 10gbps card?

https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...1-in-pcie-2-0-x4-does-it-run-at-10-gbe.21627/

Read this. Posts #1 and #2 explain it well. Then check your motherboards' manual for the maximum bandwidth for the PCIe slots.

 

[cj2502]

good excuse to change a new computer.

Was trying to hold off cause i don't really game nowadays. Hahah but guess MOBO is really too old!

 

[cj2502]

https://forums.servethehome.com/ind...1-in-pcie-2-0-x4-does-it-run-at-10-gbe.21627/

Read this. Posts #1 and #2 explain it well. Then check your motherboards' manual for the maximum bandwidth for the PCIe slots.

Thanks alot! Seems PCIE 2.0 x 4 should be fine for 10gbps. I'll probably get the NIC first and test it out on my existing MOBO. If i run into issues will look to upgrade the board.

 

[prince_fan]

Thanks alot! Seems PCIE 2.0 x 4 should be fine for 10gbps. I'll probably get the NIC first and test it out on my existing MOBO. If i run into issues will look to upgrade the board.

i was looking through new MOBO as well for potential upgrades, and most of them are onboard with 2.5g, some 5g, and the top end boards will include a 10g onboard, which mostly are Marvell chip Aqtion, and they are quite bad. i bought a Marvell NIC and experiencing constant internet drop, and found out even those onboard experience it too. it'd frustrate the f out of me if my onboard 10g cant perform.

 

[cj2502]

i was looking through new MOBO as well for potential upgrades, and most of them are onboard with 2.5g, some 5g, and the top end boards will include a 10g onboard, which mostly are Marvell chip Aqtion, and they are quite bad. i bought a Marvell NIC and experiencing constant internet drop, and found out even those onboard experience it too. it'd frustrate the f out of me if my onboard 10g cant perform.

I was looking at MOBOs with onboard 10g as well, but not too many and way too pricey.

Sucks to hear about the Marvell, that was one of my considerations for a standalone NIC.

I took a look at my MOBO again, no way my NIC can fit into the PCIE slot as the fan shroud for GPU is blocking the mounting at the back of the case completely.

Guess I have to buy a cheap MOBO with the suitable PCIE lanes and get a NIC.

 

[TanKianW]

When hunting for Mobo with reliable 10GbE NICs, you dun go for "top range gaming/consumer boards". You look at server/workstation boards. Mobo brands you should be looking for are Gigabyte Ent, Asrock Rack, Supermicro, Tyan and Asus WS.

High-end 10GbE NICs are never meant for most consumer and gamers boards where reliability and network performance are not mission critical.​

 

[guangzong]

i was looking through new MOBO as well for potential upgrades, and most of them are onboard with 2.5g, some 5g, and the top end boards will include a 10g onboard, which mostly are Marvell chip Aqtion, and they are quite bad. i bought a Marvell NIC and experiencing constant internet drop, and found out even those onboard experience it too. it'd frustrate the f out of me if my onboard 10g cant perform.

Is yours the AQC107 or AQC113?

Go back a page and look at post #325. There are solutions out there.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/5gbe-and-beyond-ethernet-adapters.7068236/post-156025399

 

[Boomboomshaketheroom]

Of all the usb4 10gbe external cards, which would be recommended?

I was reading #6 on page 1 and do not mind any china brands or should I just get a ubiquiti one?

will be using it for gaming pc

 

[prince_fan]

Is yours the AQC107 or AQC113?

Go back a page and look at post #325. There are solutions out there.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/5gbe-and-beyond-ethernet-adapters.7068236/post-156025399

AQC113, i was not even that concerned about the speed once it got into the second week of use, the main issue was it is dropping constantly. and this intermittent dropping was happening more frequently.

Tried those solution but none seem to work. also ruled out my pc issue as i changed to X550-T2 and the issue did not occur anymore. although i am only getting max 7.5Gbps on my M1 10G network but at least the stability is there.

 

[guangzong]

AQC113, i was not even that concerned about the speed once it got into the second week of use, the main issue was it is dropping constantly. and this intermittent dropping was happening more frequently.

Tried those solution but none seem to work. also ruled out my pc issue as i changed to X550-T2 and the issue did not occur anymore. although i am only getting max 7.5Gbps on my M1 10G network but at least the stability is there.

AQC113 is easy, just change this:
Recv Segment Coalescing (IPv4): Disabled.
My similar issue was resolved after disabling this.

 

[robolee]

tp link tx401 everything off also will drop connection once in awhile :/ AQC chipset really cmi

waiting for realtek to release their 10G network card end of the year