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StarTech 1-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Server Adapter, Card (ST1000SPEX2) | Gigabit Desktop Adapter REV E Intel 6 Chip support, Dual Profile, NIC
StarTech.com

StarTech.com StarTech 1-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Server Adapter

Bottom line: The StarTech.com StarTech 1-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Server Adapter ($24.75 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Intel 6-series chip drives broad OS driver support without hunting for third-party drivers; main trade-off: single RJ45 port only, so link aggregation needs a second card and a free slot.

$24.75

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Buy on Amazon — $24.75 Compare to similar retro networking cards

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Intel 6-series chip drives broad OS driver support without hunting for third-party drivers
  • ✓ Full-profile and low-profile brackets both included for desktop or 1U/2U chassis
  • ✓ 9K jumbo frame support cuts CPU overhead on NAS and file-server transfers
  • ✓ 802.1Q VLAN tagging and 802.1P priority encoding for segmented home-lab networks
  • ✓ Link/Activity and Gigabit-speed LEDs make cable faults diagnosable at a glance

Cons

  • ✗ Single RJ45 port only, so link aggregation needs a second card and a free slot
  • ✗ Gigabit ceiling dates it against 2.5GbE and 10GbE upgrades on newer switches
  • ✗ PCIe-only, so it will not revive a PCI-slot-era retro build
  • ✗ Wake on LAN depends on motherboard BIOS support the card cannot guarantee

Manufacturer description

The ST1000SPEX2 PCIe Gigabit Ethernet Network Card adds a 10/100/1000 Mbps compatible RJ45 Ethernet port to a PCI Express-enabled client, server or workstation, providing a convenient addition or replacement networking interface. Compliant with IEEE 802.3/u/ab standards, and with support for 9K Jumbo Frames, VLAN tagging and Wake on LAN (WOL), this versatile Gigabit NIC/Server Adapter delivers rock-solid performance. Plus, the card includes both full profile and low profile/half-height installation brackets for installation in a wide range of computer/server chassis, regardless of form…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored StarTech.com StarTech 1-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Server Adapter using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. StarTech.com's retro networking cards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for retro networking cards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • A single 10/100/1000Mbps compatible RJ45 Ethernet port
  • Gigabit detection and Link/Activity LED indicators
  • Fully Compliant with IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3x and IEEE 802.3ab standards
  • Supports IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging, IEEE 802.1P Layer 2 Priority Encoding and IEEE 802.3x Full Duplex Flow Control
  • Jumbo frame support

Full Specifications

BrandStarTech.com
ColorClear
Unit Count1.0 Count
Model NumberST1000SPEX2
Built-In Media1 Port PCI Express PCIe Gigabit Network Server Adapter NIC Card - Dual Profile, 1 x Low Profile Bracket, 1 x Driver CD, 1 x Instruction Manual
Item Type NameGigabit Ethernet Card
Mfr Part NumberST1000SPEX2
Number of Packs1
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Link ProtocolEthernet
Data Transfer Rate1000 Megabits Per Second
Hardware InterfaceEthernet, Unknown
Warranty Description2 Year
Item Dimensions L x W x H2.7"L x 4.7"W x 0.7"H
External Testing CertificationCE, FCC
Global Trade Identification Number00065030849265
Full listing titleStarTech 1-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Server Adapter, Card (ST1000SPEX2) | Gigabit Desktop Adapter REV E Intel 6 Chip support, Dual Profile, NIC

Ready to buy?

StarTech 1-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Server Adapter, Card (ST1000SPEX2) | Gigabit Desktop Adapter REV E Intel 6 Chip support, Dual Profile, NIC is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $24.75

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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StarTech 1-Port PCIe Gigabit Network Server Adapter, Card (ST1000SPEX2) | Gigabit Desktop Adapter REV E Intel 6 Chip support, Dual Profile, NIC
$24.75
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