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Network Cards under $250

All Network Cards

18 network cards under $250 from StarTech.com and Synology. Most cost $172 to $211, and half cost less than $193.

10GtekSpec score 8.6

25 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, SFP28

+Two 25 Gbps SFP28 ports
+PCIe 4.0 x8 interface
+Intel E810 controller
−Uses a full x8 PCIe slot
−SFP28 ports need compatible modules or cables
$194.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:06 PST - Details
KnjcsvhghSpec score 7.2

1 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, RJ45

+Dual Gigabit RJ45 ports for wired network connections
+Uses Intel I350AM2 chip
+Fits PCIe x1 slots
−Supports PoE, which requires PoE-compatible equipment
$214.47
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 PST - Details
Akpzkyywn

2.5 Speed, PCIe, RJ45, Intel

+2.5Gbps wired Ethernet speed
+Intel I226 chip
+Connects to a PCIe slot
−Takes up a PCIe slot
$193.90
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
Intel

PCIe, Intel

+Intel chipset used in this Ethernet network adapter
+Connects through a PCIe bus interface
+Dual-port configuration for two network connections
−Specifications list only the chipset and bus type
$150.00
as of 11/04/2026 03:07 PST - Details
LpxlqklypSpec score 7.6

10 Speed, 4 Ports, PCIe, RJ45

+Offers four 10 gigabit RJ45 ports on one card
+Uses an Intel X540-T4 chip for 10G networking
+Installs in a PCIe slot for desktop and server systems
$181.24
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 PST - Details
GenericSpec score 7.6

10 Speed, 4 Ports, PCIe, SFP+

+Four ports for four separate 10 Gbps connections
+Intel chip for a 10 Gbps network connection
+SFP+ ports for 10GbE fiber or direct attach links
$168.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:09 PST - Details
KnjcsvhghSpec score 7.5

1 Speed, 4 Ports, PCIe, Intel

+Four ports for multiple connections at 1 Gbps
+Intel I350 chipset
+PCIe x4 lane interface
$182.61
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 PST - Details
BfqtxlavkSpec score 7.4

10 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, Intel

+Two 10 Gbps network ports for high-speed connections
+Intel chip for network compatibility
+Uses a PCIe x8 slot for server and workstation builds
$211.00
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
YrwygcgwySpec score 7.4

10 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, Intel

+Two 10 Gbps network ports for high-speed connections
+Intel chip for network compatibility
+Uses a PCIe x8 slot for server and workstation builds
$211.00
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
YrwygcgwySpec score 7.4

10 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, SFP+

+Two 10 Gbps SFP+ ports for high-speed fiber or copper links
+Intel 82599ES chip for network compatibility
+Uses a PCIe x8 slot for server and workstation builds
$192.53
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
BfqtxlavkSpec score 7.4

10 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, SFP+

+Two 10 Gbps SFP+ ports for high-speed fiber or copper links
+Intel 82599ES chip for network compatibility
+Uses a PCIe x8 slot for server and workstation builds
$192.53
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
AkpzkyywnSpec score 7.3

2.5 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, RJ45

+2.5 Gbps speed on each RJ45 port
+Two RJ45 ports for two connections
+PCI Express interface with Intel I226 chip
$210.14
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
KnjcsvhghSpec score 7.2

1 Speed, 2 Ports, PCI, Intel

+Two ports at 1 Gbps each
+Intel I350 chipset
+Multi-mode fiber connectivity
$172.17
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 PST - Details
AkpzkyywnSpec score 7.1

1 Speed, 1 Ports, Intel

+Single port for one network connection
+Supports gigabit speed for wired networking
+Built on an Intel chip for network connectivity
$183.33
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
Bfqtxlavk

10 Speed, SFP+, Intel

+Delivers 10Gbps speed through an SFP+ port
+Uses an Intel 82599 network chip
+Works with fiber connections through SFP+ ports
$178.38
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
Yrwygcgwy

10 Speed, SFP+, Intel

+Delivers 10Gbps speed through an SFP+ port
+Uses an Intel 82599 network chip
+Works with fiber connections through SFP+ ports
$178.38
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
Akpzkyywn

1 Speed, Intel

+Built on an Intel network controller chip
+Supports 1 Gbps gigabit network speed
$217.78
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
EuqvosSpec score 8.6

2 Ports, PCIe, SFP28, Intel

+SR-IOV: only 2 of 37 here have one
+2 ports: only 4 of 21 here have more ports
$198.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:07 PST - Details

Compare specs

network cardSpeedPortsInterfacePort typeControllerSpec scorePrice
252PCIeSFP28Intel8.6$194.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:06 PST - Details
12PCIeRJ45Intel7.2$214.47
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 PST - Details
2.5PCIeRJ45Inteln/a$193.90
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
PCIeInteln/a$150.00
as of 11/04/2026 03:07 PST - Details
104PCIeRJ45Intel7.6$181.24
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 PST - Details
104PCIeSFP+Intel7.6$168.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:09 PST - Details
14PCIeIntel7.5$182.61
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 PST - Details
102PCIeIntel7.4$211.00
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
102PCIeIntel7.4$211.00
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
102PCIeSFP+Intel7.4$192.53
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details

Before you buy

Spec scores, pros and cons, and prices are explained in the How it works section of the About page.