10Gtek
10Gtek 10Gb Dual RJ45 Port Network Card with X540 Controller
Bottom line: The 10Gtek 10Gb Dual RJ45 Port Network Card with X540 Controller ($47.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 10:21 UTC): Original Intel X540 controller with intelligent offloads for server workloads; main trade-off: windows 11 needs manual setup; 10Gtek asks buyers to request an install guide.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Original Intel X540 controller with intelligent offloads for server workloads
- ✓ Two 10GbE RJ45 ports run up to 100 m on Cat6A (55 m on Cat6)
- ✓ Falls back to 1 GbE and 100 Mb/s for existing copper switches
- ✓ Ships with full-height and low-profile brackets for SFF and server cases
- ✓ 3-year warranty and lifetime tech support from 10Gtek
Cons
- ✗ Windows 11 needs manual setup; 10Gtek asks buyers to request an install guide
- ✗ Uses an x8 lane on PCIe 2.1, so it needs an x8 or x16 slot for full bandwidth
- ✗ No hot-swap support; power down before installing or removing
- ✗ Rated for 0-55 C operation; cramped chassis need good airflow over the card
Manufacturer description
The 10Gtek X540-10G-2T is a dual-port 10GbE PCIe network card built on an original Intel X540 controller. It is sold as an alternative to the Intel X540-T2. Its two copper RJ45 ports run up to 100 m over Category-6A cable, or up to 55 m over Cat6. The integrated PHYs also drop to 1 GbE and 100 Mb/s, so you can install the card now and upgrade your switch later. The X540 handles intelligent offloads, jumbo frames up to 15.5 KB, 802.1q VLAN tagging and Data Center Bridging (802.1Qaz, 802.1Qbb, 802.1p). It supports iSCSI, FCoE and NFS storage over Ethernet, which makes it a good fit for a…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored 10Gtek 10Gb Dual RJ45 Port Network Card with X540 Controller using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the networking category. 10Gtek's networking 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 networking 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this 10Gtek card work in a PCIe x16 slot?
Yes. It is a PCI Express 2.1 x8 card running at 5 GT/s, and 10Gtek states it fits both PCIe x8 and x16 slots. Plug it into an x8 or x16 slot so both 10GbE ports get full bandwidth.
Does the 10Gtek X540 network card work with Windows 11?
Yes, but you have to set it up by hand. 10Gtek recommends contacting them for the installation guide before you use it on Windows 11. The listed supported systems are Windows Server 2003/2008/2012, Windows 7/8/10, Linux and ESX/ESXi.
What Ethernet cable do I need to get 10Gb speeds?
Use Category-6A cable for runs up to 100 m. Standard Cat6 supports 10GbE up to 55 m. Both ports also negotiate 1 GbE and 100 Mb/s for older switches.
Will it fit in a low-profile or small form factor case?
Yes. The package includes a low-profile bracket in addition to the full-height profile bracket, so you can install the card in a small form factor desktop or a low-profile server chassis.
What warranty and support come with the 10Gtek X540-10G-2T?
10Gtek offers 30-day free returns, a 3-year free warranty and lifetime technical support. The box contains the X540-10G-2T card and a low-profile bracket.
Key Features
- Equipped with original Intel X540 controller chip which supports Intelligent Offloads and make the servers more stable.
- Compatible with Windows Server 2003/ 2008/ 2012, Windows7/8/10*/Visa, Linux, ESX/ESXi*. Storage over Ethernet: iSCSI, FCoE, NFS. (Note that this card can be used with Windows 11, but it needs to be manually set up. If you buy it for Windows 11, please contact us for installation guide before using.)
- Dual copper RJ45 ports let you connect to Category-6A and up to 100m((Category-6 up to 55 m) for meeting the demands of data center environments. PCI Express* 2.1. 5.0 G T/s X8 Lane is suitable for both PCI-E X8 and PCI-E X16 slots.
- With profile bracket and additional low profile bracket that makes it easy to install the card in a small form factor/low profile computer case/server.NOT support hot swaping.
- What You Get: 10Gtek 10GbE PCI-E X8 Network Card X540-10G-2T (compare to Intel X540-T2) x1, Low-profile Bracket x1. Backed by 10Gtek 30 Days Free-returned, 3 Year Free Warranty and Lifetime Technology Support.
Full Specifications
| Brand | 10Gtek |
|---|---|
| Color | X540-10G-2T(2xRJ45) |
| Weight | 5.0 g |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Model Number | X540-T2(Intel-1pc) |
| Compatibility | Linux |
| Mfr Part Number | X540-T2 (Intel-1pc) |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Compatible Devices | Server, Desktop |
| Data Link Protocol | Ethernet |
| Data Transfer Rate | 10 gigabits_per_second |
| Hardware Interface | PCIE x 8 |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 8.8"L x 5.7"W x 2.69"H |
| Full listing title | 10Gtek 10Gb Dual RJ45 Port Network Card with X540 Controller, PCIe Ethernet LAN Adapter for Windows/Linux/ESX Servers, Compare to Intel X540-T2 |
Ready to buy?
10Gtek 10Gb Dual RJ45 Port Network Card with X540 Controller, PCIe Ethernet LAN Adapter for Windows/Linux/ESX Servers, Compare to Intel X540-T2 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.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
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