{"product_id":"pcie-x8-to-2x-10gbps-rj45-network-adapter-dual-10gbe-pcie-card","title":"PCIE X8 to 2x 10Gbps RJ45 Network Adapter - Dual 10GbE PCIe Card","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review the FebSmart PCIE X8 to 2x 10Gbps RJ45 Network Adapter is evaluated for desktop and server use where high-throughput copper Ethernet is required. The bottom line: it is a practical, no-frills way to add two stable 10GbE RJ45 ports using the original \u003cstrong\u003eIntel X540-AT2\u003c\/strong\u003e controller, and it delivers consistent multi-gigabit links on supported Windows and Linux systems. Installers and small lab owners will appreciate the straightforward fit and driver support, while buyers must confirm an active PCIE X16 slot wired for X8 lanes to reach peak speeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual 10GbE ports:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two 10GBASE-T RJ45 interfaces provide copper 10Gbps connectivity for workstations, servers, and NAS without fiber transceivers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntel controller:\u003c\/strong\u003e Built on the Intel X540-AT2 ethernet controller for proven firmware and driver compatibility across Windows Server and common Linux kernels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible cabling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supports Cat6 up to about 55 meters and Cat6A up to 100 meters so you can use existing structured cabling for short-to-medium runs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePCIe X8 interface:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uses a PCIe v2.1 X8 lane interface compatible with X8 or X16 slots, enabling high throughput when the slot provides the required lanes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVirtualization features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardware support for SR-IOV, VMDq and port partitioning helps offload networking tasks in virtual machine and soft router setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe adapter is aimed at power users, IT hobbyists, and small business servers that need inexpensive 10GbE copper on commodity hardware. It is a sensible upgrade for desktop PCs used as soft routers, small NAS systems, or development machines where 10GbE to the device reduces transfer times.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is not intended for systems without an available PCIE X16\/X8 slot wired for X8 lanes or for buyers who require SFP+ fiber optics. Users who cannot confirm lane availability or who need passive low-profile solutions may want to look at other form factors.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReliable Intel X540-AT2 chipset ensures wide OS driver support and stable operation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo full 10GbE RJ45 ports provide flexible copper connectivity for many environments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEasy to install with both full-height and low-profile brackets included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRequires an active PCIE X16\/X8 slot wired with X8 or X16 lanes to reach full 2x 10GbE performance, which can be limiting in some PCs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnection speed feedback is mixed among users, so actual throughput depends on cabling and host lane configuration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNetwork controller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntel Ethernet Controller X540-AT2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePorts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 x 10GbE RJ45\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eData rates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10GbE, 1GbE, 100Mb (10GBASE-T, 1GBASE-T, 100MBASE-T)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCIe interface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePCIe v2.1, PCIE X8 lane\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatible OS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWindows Server 2012-2022, Windows 7-11, Linux kernels with ixgbe, FreeBSD\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCable type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCat6 up to 55m; Cat6A up to 100m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FebSmart X540T2 adapter is a pragmatic way to add two 10GbE copper ports using a trusted Intel controller, delivering strong value for desktops, soft routers, and small servers when the host provides the required PCIE lanes. Confirm slot wiring and use appropriate Cat6A cabling for best results; for those constraints it offers reliable multi-gigabit networking at a reasonable cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this card work in a standard PCIe X16 slot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it works in a PCIE X16 slot but the slot must provide X8 or X16 lanes for full performance; otherwise the card cannot reach expected 2x 10GbE speeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it support Linux and virtualization?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it uses the Intel X540-AT2 controller with ixgbe drivers for many Linux kernels and supports SR-IOV and VMDq for virtualization.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat cable type is required for 10GbE?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCat6 is acceptable for shorter runs up to about 55m; Cat6A is recommended for full 100m reach and reliable 10GbE links.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FebSmart","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48186773471451,"sku":"B0BMZ8PQFN","price":62.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71bBYYk6ipL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1769619852","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/pcie-x8-to-2x-10gbps-rj45-network-adapter-dual-10gbe-pcie-card","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}