Question Startech USB-C to 5GbE-T $89.99 @ Amazon (arrives Jan 20)

[VirtualLarry]

Amazon.com: StarTech.com 5GbE USB C Network Adapter - NBASE-T NIC - USB 3.0 Type C 2.5 GbE /5 GbE Multi Speed Gigabit Ethernet - USB 3.1 Laptop to RJ45/LAN - Thunderbolt 3 Compatible/MacBook Pro/Air (US5GC30): Computers & Accessories

Buy StarTech.com 5GbE USB C Network Adapter - NBASE-T NIC - USB 3.0 Type C 2.5 GbE /5 GbE Multi Speed Gigabit Ethernet - USB 3.1 Laptop to RJ45/LAN - Thunderbolt 3 Compatible/MacBook Pro/Air (US5GC30): USB Network Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Edit: In hindsight, this may seem semi-spammy. I have been posting new USB3.x to 2.5GbE/5GbE dongle releases as I see them, at Amazon and on ebay, to keep people abreast of the new devices.

Alfa (makers of high-powered USB Wifi adapters) also have a 2.5GbE-T (RealTek) dongle available in USB-C as well.

I've had fairly decent luck with my CableCreations (not CableMatters, I think) 2.5GbE-T (RealTek) dongles that I wrote about before, but was still getting occasional dropouts. I recently upgraded/switched my USB 3.0 hub to an Orico jobby, that has an external power adapter (as did my prior jCreate one, and my Orico before that one). The one I'm using has 7 USB 2.0 ports in front, each arranged vertically next to each other in a horizontal row, and then a row of three USB 3.0 ports arranged horizontally in a horizontal row on top. Since most of my adapters are USB2.0 (wired keyboard, wired mouse, two wired USB2.0 webcams, USB2.0 Comfast AC+BT dongle w/antenna), and few USB 3.0 devices (my gigE / 2.5GbE-T dongles, and an occasional USB3.0 flash drive or portable external HDD), it works out.

Also, I've been VERY happy with my Unitek USB3.0 Type-A to 3-port USB3.0 Type-A hub / ASIX 88179 Gigabit ethernet combo adapter dongle. I've been using one on my primary desktop, and one on my laptop, and haven't really had any noticeable internet drop-outs, like I did with the RealTek-chipset ethernet dongles (both 1GbE and 2.5GbE).

 

[SamirD]

Thank you for posting this! It's interesting to see a 5Gbps usb nic as I wouldn't have thought that would have made sense. This presents a really great value too--5x the speed for <$100. It's also 2.5Gbps all the way down to 100Mbps so really flexible too.

The chipset is great too as it is made by Aquantia who has been making enterprise 10Gbps cards for years now. These should be rock solid stable.

Now the only challenge is that you need a usb c adapter to use them with the 'normal' usb 3.0 ports.

 

[Muadib]

Aquantia also has a 10G chipset: https://www.amazon.com/Sonnet-Technologies-Thunderbolt-10GBASE-T-SOLO10G-TB3/dp/B07BZRK8R8?th=1

 

[VirtualLarry]

What's interesting about this one, is that it appears to be utilizing the actual USB AQ 5GbE chipset. The prior-released QNAP 5GbE adapter, with the AQ chipset, may have a USB3.x to PCI-E x1 bridge chip, and an AQ PCI-E 5GbE chipset onboard. Not 100% sure.
I know that when I finally got my QNAP 5GbE adapter, results were very underwhelming. I barely got more than 125-130MB/sec out of it, with my Intel-based TS-451 4-bay NAS (WD Red x4 in RAID-5).

 

[mxnerd]

What's interesting about this one, is that it appears to be utilizing the actual USB AQ 5GbE chipset. The prior-released QNAP 5GbE adapter, with the AQ chipset, may have a USB3.x to PCI-E x1 bridge chip, and an AQ PCI-E 5GbE chipset onboard. Not 100% sure.
I know that when I finally got my QNAP 5GbE adapter, results were very underwhelming. I barely got more than 125-130MB/sec out of it, with my Intel-based TS-451 4-bay NAS (WD Red x4 in RAID-5).

Probably cable problem?

Initial first day "review"

 

[VirtualLarry]

Probably cable problem?
Initial first day "review"

Interesting. Looks like I should get a Type-C to Type-A USB3.x shielded cable, and give it another go, before I pass judgement on it.