Skip to main content
2.5 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express PCI-E Network Interface Card 10/100/1000/25000 Mbps RJ45 LAN SI-PEX24059
IO CREST

2.5 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express PCI-E Network Interface Card 10/100/1000/25000 Mbps RJ45 LAN SI-PEX24059

Bottom line: The 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express PCI-E Network Interface Card: Adds a 2.5GbE RJ45 port via any PCIe x1/x4/x8/x16 slot; main trade-off: PCIe-only, will not work in a legacy PCI slot.

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →

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.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Adds a 2.5GbE RJ45 port via any PCIe x1/x4/x8/x16 slot
  • ✓ IEEE 802.3ab compliant with 802.1Q VLAN tagging support
  • ✓ Includes both 12cm and 8cm low-profile brackets for HTPC cases
  • ✓ Broad OS support: Windows 98 through 10, Linux, Mac OS 10.7

Cons

  • ✗ PCIe-only, will not work in a legacy PCI slot
  • ✗ Caps at 2.5Gbps, no 5GbE or 10GbE headroom
  • ✗ Bundled driver disk may need manual install on modern PCs
  • ✗ Single RJ45 port, no multi-port or link teaming

Manufacturer description

Provides 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to Mac Pro towers and Windows PCs. Simple way to add or expand 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to any compatible computer. It is suitable for multiple market segments and emerging applications, such as desktop, mobile, workstation, server, communications platforms, and embedded applications.

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express PCI-E Network Interface Card… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. IO CREST'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

  • With this PCIe Card, you can add a 10/100/1000/25000 Mbps Ethernet port to any PC through a PCIe slot.Fits any PCI Express x1, x2, x4, x8 or x16 socket; additional 8cm low-profile bracket provides the option for installation in small size HTPC case.
  • This pci-based 10/100/1000/25000 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet network adapter card provides a simple connection to a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet network, and is fully compatible with 802.1Q virtual LAN (VLAN) tag. And Ethernet card which Is compliant to IEEE802.3, IEEE802.3U & IEEE802.3ab.
  • The high quality PCIe 2.5 Gigabit NIC with 12cm profile bracket and additional 8cm profile bracket that makes it easy to install the card in a small form Factor/Low profile computer case/server.
  • Gigabit network card compatible with a broad range of operating systems, including Windows 10, 8/8.1, 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, xp-64bit, Vista, vista-64bit, 7, 7-64 Bit, Linux, Mac OS 10.7
  • What you get: IO crest 2.5 Gigabit PCI-E network card x1, driver Disk x1, 8cm low-profile bracket x1. Backed by IO crest 3 Year hassle-free warranty and lifetime customer service. Important Note: only work with PCI-E slot, not for PCI slot.

Full Specifications

BrandIO CREST
Color2.5G
Unit Count1 Count
Model NumberSI-PEX24059
CompatibilityPC, Mac, Linux
Built-In Media(1) 2.5Gb NIC Card, (1) Driver CD, (1) Low Profile Bracket, (1) Manual
Mfr Part NumberSI-PEX24059
Number of Items1
Compatible DevicesDesktop
Data Link ProtocolIEEE 802.3
Data Transfer Rate2.5 gigabits_per_second
Hardware InterfaceEthernet, PCI, PCI Express x1
Warranty Description3 Year Warranty
Item Dimensions L x W x H4.3"L x 0.5"W x 5.5"H
Global Trade Identification Number00857426008260

Ready to buy?

2.5 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express PCI-E Network Interface Card 10/100/1000/25000 Mbps RJ45 LAN SI-PEX24059 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.

Check price on Amazon →

Related Retro Networking Cards

More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all articles & guides →

More reviews from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all reviews →

Earliest SpecPicks reviews

Browse full archive →