This article covers StarTech.com ギガビットイーサネット2ポート増設PCIeネットワークアダプタLANカード 2x Gigabit Ethernet 1000Mbps NIC ST1000SPEXD4.

Overview

The StarTech.com ST1000SPEXD4 is a PCI Express x1 network interface card that adds two Gigabit Ethernet ports to a desktop PC or workstation. It's an ideal solution when you need extra wired LAN ports for tasks like network segmentation, NIC teaming, or simply replacing a failed onboard port. Each port supports 10/100/1000 Mbps and can deliver up to 2000 Mbps total bandwidth in full-duplex mode. One of the standout features is the inclusion of both standard and low-profile brackets. This means the card fits not only in standard ATX towers but also in small form factor (SFF) cases. It also supports enterprise-grade features like Wake-on-LAN, jumbo frames (up to 9K), and VLAN tagging, making it suitable for home labs and small office environments.

Connectivity & Compatibility

Interface: PCI Express 2.0 x1 (backward compatible with 1.0a/1.1) Ports: 2 x RJ45 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Standards: IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, 802.1Q VLAN tagging, 802.1P Layer 2 priority encoding, 802.3x full-duplex flow control OS support: Microsoft NDIS5 checksum offload (IP, TCP, UDP), Large Send offload * Brackets: Standard profile (pre-installed), low-profile (included)

Product Info

Released around 2014, the ST1000SPEXD4 remains a reliable, long-selling model. It typically retails for around $70–$80 USD or ¥11,000–¥12,000 JPY. StarTech.com is a Canadian manufacturer known for business-grade accessories, and this card comes with a 2-year warranty and unlimited free technical support. The package includes the card itself, a standard bracket (pre-installed), a low-profile bracket, and a quick-install guide. In terms of market positioning, this is an entry-to-mid-range dual-port NIC. It's more affordable than Intel or Broadcom-based cards but offers better reliability and support than ultra-budget Realtek-based alternatives. It's a solid choice for home file servers, lightweight virtualization hosts, and small office setups.

Best Use Cases

Home lab enthusiasts: If you're running Proxmox, ESXi, or another hypervisor at home and need separate management and data networks, this card gives you two ports in one slot. It's perfect for network segmentation without taking up multiple PCIe slots. However, if you need 10GbE for high-throughput storage or VM migration, this card will be a bottleneck. DIY NAS or file server builders: Adding a second wired port to a custom-built NAS enables NIC teaming for redundancy or load balancing. The PCIe 2.0 x1 interface provides up to 500 MB/s of theoretical bandwidth per direction, which is sufficient for most SMB/CIFS file sharing scenarios. Just be aware that heavy concurrent traffic on both ports may saturate the PCIe lane. * Users adding wired LAN to an older PC: If your motherboard's LAN port has failed, or you're using a mini PC that only has Wi-Fi, this card provides a reliable wired connection. The included low-profile bracket makes it compatible with compact cases. Just make sure you have a free PCIe slot available. ## Alternatives
Direct competitors in the same price tier include the TP-Link TG-3468 (single port, ~$20) and the Intel EXPI9301CT (single port, ~$50). The TG-3468 is much cheaper but offers only one port and no low-profile bracket. The Intel EXPI9301CT is more reliable but still single-port. The ST1000SPEXD4 stands out with its dual-port design and low-profile support. If you need two ports, this is the clear choice; if one port suffices, you can save money with a single-port card.

Things to Consider

Always check your motherboard for an available PCIe slot. The card uses a x1 connector but can physically fit into x4 or x16 slots. However, the slot's location may cause interference with a large graphics card. The chipset is likely Realtek-based (not officially specified). Compared to Intel or Broadcom NICs, CPU usage under heavy load may be slightly higher. For typical file sharing or web server use, this is negligible. * This card is Gigabit-only. If you anticipate needing 10GbE in the future, consider investing in a 10GbE card now to avoid an extra upgrade cycle.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: スターテック(StarTech.com)
  • Brand: StarTech.com(スターテック)
  • Seller: Startech Japan KK
  • Fulfilled by: Amazon
  • ASIN: B00OUSU2P6
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.