PCIe network cards are expansion cards that add or upgrade wired Ethernet, and in some cases Wi-Fi, on a desktop PC, workstation or server. They suit builders whose motherboard lacks fast Ethernet and anyone who needs extra ports. No products are listed in this category at the moment, so the guidance below covers what to check before buying.
How to choose a PCIe network card
Speed. Common wired speeds are 1 GbE, 2.5 GbE, 5 GbE and 10 GbE. A 2.5 GbE card works over the Cat5e cabling already in many homes, while 10GBASE-T generally calls for Cat6 or better. Your router or switch must support the same speed, otherwise the link falls back to the slower one.
Connector type. RJ45 cards take ordinary copper Ethernet cables and are the simplest choice for home and office use. SFP+ cards have a cage for fibre transceivers or direct-attach cables, which is common in servers, storage systems and rack-based networks.
Slot and bracket. Cards are made for PCIe x1, x4 or x8 slots. A 10 GbE card usually needs at least an x4 slot to reach full speed, and the slot must be wired for that width, not just physically long enough. In a small case, check that the card comes with, or is available with, a low-profile bracket.
Chipset and driver support. Check that the card has drivers for your operating system, such as Windows 11 or a current Linux distribution. If you run a hypervisor such as VMware ESXi or Proxmox, confirm support before buying, because some budget chipsets are poorly supported there.
Number of ports. A single port is enough for most desktops. Dual-port and quad-port cards suit servers, firewalls and software routers, where separate networks or link aggregation are needed.
Brands and chipsets
- Chipset first: the controller on the card often matters more than the name on the box, because it decides driver quality and feature support.
- Server-oriented cards: these usually offer features such as VLAN tagging, offloading and SR-IOV, which matter for virtualisation.
- Consumer cards: these focus on plug-and-play use at 1 GbE or 2.5 GbE, usually with Wake-on-LAN.
No brands are listed in this category at the moment, and there are no subcategories below it. The wider network cards and adapters section is the place to look for USB adapters and other connection types.
PCIe network cards: frequently asked questions
Do I need a PCIe network card if my motherboard already has Ethernet?
Not always. A card is worth adding if the onboard port is slower than your network, for example 1 GbE on a 10 GbE setup, or if the onboard port is faulty. It is also useful when you need extra ports for a firewall, a server or a separate network.
Will a 10 GbE card work with a 1 GbE switch?
Yes, most 10GBASE-T cards negotiate down to 1 GbE, and many also support 2.5 GbE and 5 GbE. You will only get the slower speed. SFP+ cards are different, as they need a compatible transceiver or cable to connect to a copper switch.
Which PCIe slot does a network card need?
It needs a free slot at least as wide as the card connector. An x1 card fits in any PCIe slot, while an x4 or x8 card needs a slot of that width or larger. Check your motherboard manual, as a long slot is sometimes wired for fewer lanes than its size suggests.
Do I need Cat6a cable for 10 GbE?
Not for short runs. Cat6 usually carries 10 GbE over distances of about 55 metres, while Cat6a is rated for the full 100 metres. For a PC next to the switch, either works, but Cat6a is the safer choice for cables inside walls.
