When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
Wiki Shopping

Network Cards under $250

All Network Cards

19 network cards under $250 from StarTech.com and Synology. Most cost $173 to $223, and half cost less than $193.

StarTech.comSpec score 7.3

10 Speed, 1 Ports, PCIe, RJ45

+10 Gbps speed over RJ45 copper
+Low profile bracket fits small form factor cases
+Jumbo frame support for larger packets
−Only two PCIe lanes limit peak throughput
$172.99-6%List: $183.46
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 PST - Details
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
SynologySpec score 7.3

10 Speed, 1 Ports, M.2, RJ45

+Combines a 10 Gbps RJ45 port with an M.2 slot
+Model E10M20-T1 fits Synology network storage setups
+Provides 10 Gbps speeds over copper Ethernet cabling
$223.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 PST - Details
OWC

10 Speed, Thunderbolt, RJ45

+10 Gb/s Ethernet speed over an RJ45 port
+Connects through a Thunderbolt 4 interface
+Thunderbolt 4 link rated at 40Gb/s
$199.99
as of 11/04/2026 06:06 PST - Details
Akpzkyywn

10 Speed, PCIe, RJ45, Marvell (Aquantia)

+Uses an RJ45 port for standard copper Ethernet cabling
+PCIe x4 slot fits many motherboards with a 10G connection
+Marvell Aquantia AQC107 chip for 10 Gbps networking
−Requires a PCIe x4 slot or larger
$237.96
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
Sonnet

10 Speed, PCIe, RJ45

+Two 10GbE RJ45 ports on one card
+Supports link aggregation
+Low-profile form factor fits small cases
−Requires a PCIe slot in the computer
$199.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:07 PST - Details
HP

10 Speed, PCIe

+10 Gbps speed for fast wired network transfers
+Uses a PCI Express interface for desktop installation
+Low-profile form factor fits compact PC cases
$185.00
as of 11/04/2026 05:06 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
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
AkpzkyywnSpec score 7.3

10 Speed, 1 Ports, PCIe, RJ45

+10 Gbps speed for fast transfers on high-bandwidth networks
+Single RJ45 port for standard Ethernet cabling
+PCIe x4 interface
−Uses a full x4 PCIe slot
$170.72
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
Akpzkyywn

10 Speed, PCIe, RJ45, Realtek

+Delivers 10 gigabit speed over a standard RJ45 port
+Installs in a PCIe slot for desktop computers
+Uses a Realtek chip for network connectivity
$197.68
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
StarTech.com

10 Speed, Thunderbolt, RJ45

+10 Gbps external Ethernet speed
+Connects over Thunderbolt 3, 4, and 5
+Multi-gigabit speed support
$179.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 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

Compare specs

network cardSpeedPortsInterfacePort typeControllerSpec scorePrice
101PCIeRJ45Marvell (Aquantia)7.3$172.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 PST - Details
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
101M.2RJ457.3$223.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:08 PST - Details
10ThunderboltRJ45n/a$199.99
as of 11/04/2026 06:06 PST - Details
10PCIeRJ45Marvell (Aquantia)n/a$237.96
as of 11/04/2026 10:07 PST - Details
10PCIeRJ45n/a$199.99
as of 11/04/2026 03:07 PST - Details
10PCIen/a$185.00
as of 11/04/2026 05:06 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

Before you buy

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