Should I Add a 10Gb Ethernet Card to My Desktop?
Asked by
MellowCedar42
I had a desktop built a few months ago using an MSI MAG X870E Tomahawk motherboard. I'm planning to upgrade to 10Gb Ethernet, but the motherboard only has a built-in 5Gb Ethernet port. At the time, I didn't expect to have access to a 10Gb connection, so I didn't plan for it. Would adding a PCIe network card be the best solution, and is installation manageable for someone who hasn't worked inside a PC before? I also noticed the motherboard has a 40Gb USB port and wondered whether an external 10Gb Ethernet adapter would be a worthwhile alternative. I download several gigabytes of data every day, so I'd like to make the most of the faster connection. Any recommendations for reliable hardware would be appreciated.
Answers
Before buying anything, make sure the entire network path supports 10Gb: your internet plan or file server, router or switch, cabling, and the other device. Cat6a is the safest choice for 10Gb over typical home cable runs. If your downloads come from the internet, you’ll also need a connection faster than 5Gbps to see a benefit over the motherboard’s existing port.
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A PCIe 10Gb Ethernet card is probably the cleanest and most reliable option. Installation is fairly simple: shut the computer down, unplug it, remove the side panel, insert the card into an available PCIe slot, secure it with the case screw, and install the driver if Windows doesn’t do it automatically. It’s generally no more difficult than installing a graphics card, though you should check that you have a suitable free slot and enough room in the case.
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A USB4 or 40Gb USB Ethernet adapter can work, but I’d treat it as a second choice. You need an adapter that specifically supports 10Gb Ethernet, plus a proper USB4-capable cable and updated drivers. External adapters can also run warmer and may be less consistent under sustained transfers. A PCIe card from a reputable manufacturer using an Intel or Marvell 10Gb controller would usually be preferable.
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MellowCedar42: That makes sense. I’m mainly trying to avoid the motherboard port becoming the bottleneck, so I’ll check the router, cabling, and available PCIe slots before choosing a card.