This article covers 10Gtek 2.5G NIC 100.

Overview

The 10Gtek 2.5G PCIe Network Card is a single-port wired LAN expansion card built around the Realtek RTL8125B controller. It supports data rates of 100/1000/2500 Mbps, making it an affordable upgrade path from standard Gigabit Ethernet to 2.5 Gigabit. The card uses a PCI Express 2.1 x1 interface and is compatible with most desktop PCs, including low-profile cases thanks to the included bracket. Priced at around ¥1,900, this card offers excellent value for users who want to improve file transfer speeds over a local network without investing in more expensive 10GbE hardware. It supports advanced features like WOL, PXE, DPDK, VLAN tagging, and jumbo frames, making it suitable for both home and light server use.

Connectivity & Compatibility

The card connects via a PCIe 2.1 x1 slot and is physically compatible with x1, x4, x8, and x16 slots. It comes with a standard-height bracket pre-installed and an additional low-profile bracket for compact cases or 1U servers. Supported operating systems include Windows 7/8/10/11, Windows Server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, CentOS/RHEL 6/7/8, Ubuntu 18/19/20/21/22, Debian 9/10/11, FreeBSD 10/11/12, and VMware ESXi 5/6. Note that ESXi 7.0, macOS, and Bypass Mode are not supported. The card does not support hot-swapping and is not compatible with iSCSI or PCoE.

Product Info

This network card was released around 2021 by 10Gtek and sits in the entry-level segment of the 2.5G market. Its typical retail price is between ¥1,800 and ¥2,200, making it one of the most affordable ways to add 2.5GbE to a desktop computer. The package includes the card with a standard bracket, a low-profile bracket, and a quick-start guide. Warranty information is not publicly listed, but Japan's standard return policy applies.

Best Use Cases

  • NAS Users: If you have a 2.5G-capable NAS, adding this card to your PC will boost real-world transfer speeds to around 280 MB/s, significantly reducing wait times for large file transfers. It's a cost-effective upgrade for home or small office backup workflows. - Home Lab Enthusiasts: Running Proxmox, Linux KVM, or VMware ESXi 6.x? This card provides reliable 2.5G connectivity at a low cost. It's especially useful for building a dedicated management network or for inter-node communication in a cluster. - Budget-conscious Gamers: While not reducing latency, faster download speeds for game updates and patches can be a real convenience. If your router and switch already support 2.5G, this card is a no-brainer for the price. Not recommended for: macOS users, those needing 10GbE or higher, VMware ESXi 7.0+ environments, or hot-swap server applications.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: 10Gtek
  • Seller: 10Gtek-JP★適格請求書の発行対象
  • Fulfilled by: Amazon
  • ASIN: B09PD7CYJ3
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.