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Network Cards under $250

All Network Cards

13 network cards under $250 from StarTech.com and Synology. Most cost $172 to $244, and half cost less than $210.

StarTech.comSpec score 7.4

10 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, RJ45

+Two ports for two separate 10 Gbps Ethernet connections
+10 Gbps speed, well above standard gigabit Ethernet
+PCIe x4 interface for desktop motherboards
−Uses a PCIe x4 slot, which many boards lack
$216.36
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 PST - Details
SynologySpec score 7.4

10 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, RJ45

+Two RJ45 ports for 10 Gbps Ethernet connections
+PCIe interface for desktop and server expansion slots
+Model E10G30-T2 fits Synology network storage setups
$244.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 PST - Details
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
LpxlqklypSpec score 8.1

40 Speed, 2 Ports, PCIe, QSFP

+Dual-port design with two 40 Gbps ports
+PCIe 3.0 x8 interface
+Includes two QSFP+ modules
$170.26
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, 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
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
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
Odlnmoiox

2 Ports, PCIe, SFP+, Mellanox

+Two SFP+ ports for network connections
+Mellanox ConnectX-3 chip
+Installs in a PCIe slot
$248.78
as of 11/04/2026 03:07 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
102PCIeRJ45Marvell (Aquantia)7.4$216.36
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 PST - Details
102PCIeRJ457.4$244.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 PST - Details
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
402PCIeQSFPMellanox8.1$170.26
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 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
2.52PCIeRJ45Intel7.3$210.14
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
12PCIIntel7.2$172.17
as of 11/04/2026 09:09 PST - Details
102PCIeIntel7.4$211.00
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.