Plugable 2.5G USB C and USB to Ethernet Adapter, RJ45 2.5 Gigabit LAN Compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux $34.99 AC @ Amazon

[VirtualLarry]

Now $39.99 on Amazon, with a $5.00 "click" coupon.

Amazon.com: Plugable 2.5G USB C and USB to Ethernet Adapter, 2-in-1 Adapter Compatible with USB C/Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.0, USB-C to RJ45 2.5 Gigabit LAN Compatible with Mac and Windows: Home Audio & Theater

Amazon.com: Plugable 2.5G USB C and USB to Ethernet Adapter, 2-in-1 Adapter Compatible with USB C/Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.0, USB-C to RJ45 2.5 Gigabit LAN Compatible with Mac and Windows: Home Audio & Theater

www.amazon.com

Newegg is currently OOS.

Are you a human?

www.newegg.com

The price on these initially was around $40 @ Amazon, but recently, they went up to $58. Now they're available factory-direct through Newegg Marketplace.

I haven't actually had a chance to try this model, but I've used the ($30 @ Amazon) Cable Creation or Cable Matters one, the cheaper one. Unfortunately, that one was unstable in my Asustor NAS (*back to using the official Asustor 2.5GbE-T RealTek adapter), but it works great on Win10.

The Pluggable one looks like quality, and next time I get a chance to order one or two to try them out, I'll let you know. What's nice is that they have a captive adapter, that allows you to use either Type-A USB3.0 or Type-C for your host connection.

 

[VirtualLarry]

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-2-5Gase-T-Standard-Low-Profile-TEG-25GECTX/dp/B07SNQ2NQ1/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=2.5+gigabit&qid=1590622011&sr=8-3

If you prefer an internal PCI-E x1 card, here's a TrendNet card for $39.99 ($15 off), name-brand with RealTek chipset.

(For the record, I've gotten Chinese PCI-E x1 cards with RealTek 2.5GbE-T / 8125 chipset shipped to me for $20 ea., in smaller qtys., but that was before the Pandemic.)

Amazon.com: CableCreation USB 3.0 to 2.5 Gigabit LAN Ethernet Cable Adapter, USB to Network up to 2.5Gbps Compatible with MacBook Pro, Air, Windows 10, 8.1, macOS X 10.6-10.15, Black: Computers & Accessories

Buy CableCreation USB 3.0 to 2.5 Gigabit LAN Ethernet Cable Adapter, USB to Network up to 2.5Gbps Compatible with MacBook Pro, Air, Windows 10, 8.1, macOS X 10.6-10.15, Black: USB Network Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

This is the Cable Creation USB Type-A 3.0 to RealTek 2.5GbE-T dongle that I own and have used. Works fine in Win10, at least. Don't know about Linux support yet. Currently $28.99 @ Amazon.

 

[gibster]

What kind of switching equipment can you use with these? Doing the regular 1Gb switches will likely not result in any speed increases, do you need to use 10Gb, or are there (relatively inexpensive ) 2.5Gb switches?

 

[Shmee]

^ Good question! Also, what cables/router would be needed?

 

[VirtualLarry]

What kind of switching equipment can you use with these? Doing the regular 1Gb switches will likely not result in any speed increases, do you need to use 10Gb, or are there (relatively inexpensive ) 2.5Gb switches?

Apparently QNAP is coming out with an inexpensive 5-port 2.5GbE-T fanless switch next month. Price TBA, but I'm pretty sure that it will be under $100.

Page 2 - Question - Anyone moving from AM4 platform to Z490 (Intel)? For the 2.5Gbit LAN?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

forums.anandtech.com

 

[gibster]

I ordered this one, seems to have good reviews and is only $27 after instant 10% off with free shipping:

Amazon.com: 2.5GBase-T PCIe Network Adapter with 1 Port, 2500/1000/100Mbps PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Card RJ45 LAN Controller Support Windows Server/Windows/Linux, Standard and Low-Profile Brackets Included: Computers & Accessories

Amazon.com: 2.5GBase-T PCIe Network Adapter with 1 Port, 2500/1000/100Mbps PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Card RJ45 LAN Controller Support Windows Server/Windows/Linux, Standard and Low-Profile Brackets Included: Computers & Accessories

www.amazon.com

I figure I have a free x1 slot, and if I have the card in my system, I will look to upgrade with some switches in the near future. Will start out in my office first, maybe extend to the whole house if the switches become cheap enough.
Interestingly I have not seen new MBs adapt 2.5Gb as the new standard, they always seem to jump on newer standards before they are even half-baked it seems, so they can brag about the specs...

 

[VirtualLarry]

Interestingly I have not seen new MBs adapt 2.5Gb as the new standard,

Most of the new Intel Z490 boards, that are above the bottom-tier budget level, have 2.5GbE-T, and many/most similar non-bottom-tier B550 boards for AMD/AM4 will have 2.5GbE-T too.

 

[gibster]

Most of the new Intel Z490 boards, that are above the bottom-tier budget level, have 2.5GbE-T, and many/most similar non-bottom-tier B550 boards for AMD/AM4 will have 2.5GbE-T too.

Thanks, this makes sense, looks like I was just most recently dealing with yesterday's budget chipsets...

 

[SamirD]

^ Good question! Also, what cables/router would be needed?

Cabling is the same that you're using now for 1Gbps. You would need a new router/switch unless you're just doing a point to point connection like from a computer to a freenas system.

 

[funboy6942]

Here is one that plugs into a USB 3.0 jack, like the op one minus the type c connector, that I can assume you can just buy that adapter cheap if need be, and its only $28.99 shipped prime, and for me chances are there is no tax on it for what I buy on ebay has tax because the warehouse is here in TN.

Im really thinking of buying it, for I heard that even though Im on a 1gb fiber, and mt switch is a 1gb switch, Id get better performance between my Nas, and my pc, if I had a faster then 1gb card in my pc. Unless this isnt true, for then I wont waste my money.

I run cat 6 to everything but our phones, and its rated at 10gbs, so Im good there, Id just like to see faster speed when Im moving files, or adding more photos to my nas

 

[VirtualLarry]

Id get better performance between my Nas, and my pc, if I had a faster then 1gb card in my pc. Unless this isnt true, for then I wont waste my money.

Only if you have a straight-shot, to a NAS with a 2.5GbE-T port as well, or you're running on a LAN in which you've deployed a 2.5GbE-T switch, and have your NAS (with a 2.5GbE-T port) and your adapter, plugged into said switch.

Otherwise, no, you won't see a difference in bandwidth.

 

[gibster]

Here is one that plugs into a USB 3.0 jack, like the op one minus the type c connector, that I can assume you can just buy that adapter cheap if need be, and its only $28.99 shipped prime, and for me chances are there is no tax on it for what I buy on ebay has tax because the warehouse is here in TN.

Im really thinking of buying it, for I heard that even though Im on a 1gb fiber, and mt switch is a 1gb switch, Id get better performance between my Nas, and my pc, if I had a faster then 1gb card in my pc. Unless this isnt true, for then I wont waste my money.

I run cat 6 to everything but our phones, and its rated at 10gbs, so Im good there, Id just like to see faster speed when Im moving files, or adding more photos to my nas

The review that says the guy is getting slow speeds is scaring me off, and he is using 10G equipment...

 

[Oneto]

Do you need cat6 or do these work with cat5e?

 

[SamirD]

Do you need cat6 or do these work with cat5e?

The 2.5Gbps spec works on existing 5e.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The review that says the guy is getting slow speeds is scaring me off, and he is using 10G equipment...

I had that problem, and then I realized, that I had my USB extension cable, or my USB hub, one of the two, plugged into a USB2.0 port on the rear I/O panel, rather than USB3.0, and it was shunting all of my devices connected, to USB2.0 speeds.

 

[mikegg]

Do you need cat6 or do these work with cat5e?

Cat5e works up to 10Gbps provided the distance is short enough.

 

[piokos]

Cat5e works up to 10Gbps provided the distance is short enough.

Cat5e is not supported by the 10GBASE-T standard and there is absolutely no guarantee it would work. In other words: enterprises won't take that risk. You, as a consumer, can always try.

Also, it would probably have to be shielded Cat5e, which is extremely rarely used, which is extremely rarely used.
10GbE over unshielded Cat5e... maybe for few meters, point-to-point...

2.5GBASE-T will work on unshielded Cat5e (>=100 meters) - making it a plug&play upgrade - which is the main reason for adding this standard.

 

[SamirD]

Cat5e is not supported by the 10GBASE-T standard and there is absolutely no guarantee it would work. In other words: enterprises won't take that risk. You, as a consumer, can always try.

While 5e isn't part of the official 10G spec, I have read enough experiences with people having no problems with the short runs found in a typical house to say it is more likely to work than not.

Obviously, the right cable like 6a would guarantee it, but no one really knew how to install that and hence 5e was much cheaper.

 

[piokos]

While 5e isn't part of the official 10G spec, I have read enough experiences with people having no problems with the short runs found in a typical house to say it is more likely to work than not.

It's not in the spec. End of story. Why take the risk?

It may work, it may not work. It may stop working at some point in the future.
You can try and get really burned when it fails and you can't upgrade the cables.
And if you can upgrade cables, just do it - it's a tiny cost compared to upgrading NICs, switches, routers and so on.

 

[mikegg]

It's not in the spec. End of story. Why take the risk?

It may work, it may not work. It may stop working at some point in the future.
You can try and get really burned when it fails and you can't upgrade the cables.
And if you can upgrade cables, just do it - it's a tiny cost compared to upgrading NICs, switches, routers and so on.

I agree. Enterprises are smart enough to do this. Unfortunately for homeowners, the contractors often use whatever cables they can get for cheap which is usually cat5e. When the owners want to upgrade to a 10G system in the future, there's a chance that it won't work. Cat6 cables are just slightly more expensive than Cat5e but it's well worth it.

This happened to me in my home remodeling. The contractors used cat5e cable through the house without consulting me. There were too many things for me to juggle during the remodel to think about the ethernet cable type.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Bump, Amazon's got it for $39.99 minus a $5.00 coupon.

I have a feeling that the price of 2.5GbE-T USB dongles is going to come down to "peanuts", due to both B550 and Z490 mobos adopting 2.5GbE-T standard on most $150-and-up models.

Sure, there's a HUGE installed base out there with only 1GbE NICs onboard, and there is the additional expense of a 2.5GbE-T switch (QNAP has a 5-port coming out soon that should be $100 or less), but if you're going to buy a new mobo, or assemble a new system, might as well get one with 2.5GbE-T onboard, rather than fiddle with a dongle. At least for "fixed location" devices, like a desktop PC. (These dongles could still be useful for laptops.)

 

[piokos]

I have a feeling that the price of 2.5GbE-T USB dongles is going to come down to "peanuts", due to both B550 and Z490 mobos adopting 2.5GbE-T standard on most $150-and-up models.

2.5GbE is still quite new for a networking standard - manufacturers are marketing it towards gamers / enthusiasts, so you're paying a premium. Early adopting... painful as usual.

As it becomes ubiquitous - with 2.5GbE NICs available in most new PCs - the base price will go down to probably just a notch above 1GbE.

These dongles could still be useful for laptops.

Enterprise users connect their laptops with LAN via a dock, so it's really a question of when these will be updated. Best bet: with Tiger Lake launch later this year.
Which of course doesn't mean companies will instantly replace all their inventory...

Home users generally don't use LAN with laptops (and less and less with desktops).