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BrosTrend 5Gb PCIe Network Card, PCIe Ethernet Card with Extra Low-Profile, PCI Express Network Adapter for PC Windows 11/10 & Windows Server 2022 ONLY, PCI-e to 5 Gigabit NIC Lifetime Protection
BrosTrend

BrosTrend 5Gb PCIe Network Card

Bottom line: The BrosTrend 5Gb PCIe Network Card ($28.79 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 5GBASE-T link rate, 5x the bandwidth of a standard Gigabit Ethernet card; main trade-off: windows needs a driver from the disc or BrosTrend's site for full 5Gbps.

$28.79

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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

  • ✓ 5GBASE-T link rate, 5x the bandwidth of a standard Gigabit Ethernet card
  • ✓ Extra low-profile design suits slim and small form factor desktop cases
  • ✓ Finned aluminum heatsink keeps throughput steady during long transfers
  • ✓ Wake on LAN and QoS support for remote power-on and traffic priority
  • ✓ Works out of the box on Linux kernel 6.9 or newer, no driver install

Cons

  • ✗ Windows needs a driver from the disc or BrosTrend's site for full 5Gbps
  • ✗ Officially limited to Windows 11/10 and Server 2022; macOS not listed
  • ✗ Linux kernels older than 6.9 unsupported; no Linux help from the vendor
  • ✗ Needs a multi-gig switch or router on the other end to exceed 1Gbps

Manufacturer description

The BrosTrend 5Gb PCIe Network Card gives your desktop PC a 5GBASE-T wired connection, five times the bandwidth of a standard Gigabit Ethernet card. If your ISP plan, NAS or home server has outgrown a 1Gbps onboard port, this PCI Express network adapter lets you use that extra headroom without rewiring your whole setup. The card has an extra low-profile design, so it suits slim and small form factor desktops as well as full towers. A finned aluminum heatsink spreads heat away from the controller, which keeps throughput steady during long file copies, game downloads and 4K streams. Inside…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored BrosTrend 5Gb PCIe Network Card using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. BrosTrend'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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the BrosTrend 5Gb PCIe card work on Linux?

Yes. It works out of the box with any Linux distribution running kernel 6.9 (released May 12, 2024) or newer. Older kernels are not supported, and BrosTrend does not provide Linux support.

Do I need to install a driver on Windows 11 or Windows 10?

Yes. To get the full 5Gbps speed on Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows Server 2022, install the driver from the included disc or download it from BrosTrend's website.

Will this network card fit in a slim or small form factor PC?

It has an extra low-profile design meant for compact desktop cases. Check your case's expansion slot height and confirm you have a free PCIe slot before buying.

Will I get 5Gbps if my router only has Gigabit ports?

No. The link runs at the speed of the slowest device on the connection. To go past 1Gbps, the switch, router or NAS on the other end needs a 2.5G or 5G multi-gig port, and your internet speed is still capped by your ISP plan.

Does the card support Wake on LAN?

Yes. It supports both Wake on LAN and QoS on Windows, so you can power the PC on remotely and prioritize traffic like gaming or video calls. For warranty coverage under BrosTrend's lifetime protection, check the product listing for current terms.

Key Features

  • Unparalleled 5 Gbps Speed: Future-proof your desktop PC's wired connection with the 5 Gbps PCIe network card. It takes your connectivity to the next level with speeds 5 times faster than a typical Gigabit PCIe Ethernet card
  • Hyper-Fast Internet Access: Experience boosted speed, reduced latency, and enhanced responsiveness with the PCIe network card, making your computer ideal for intense gaming and flawless streaming. Harness your ISP's speeds with added 5GBASE-T technology
  • Instant Local Network Transfer: Whether integrated into your client PC or host server, the PCI Express network card establishes lightning-fast connections with other devices in your local network, elevating the efficiency of data transmission
  • Crafted for Maximum Reliability: Enhanced with dense fins and high-quality aluminum construction, the PCIe nic optimizes heat dissipation, ensuring consistent performance and reliability
  • Supports Windows 11 / 10 / Windows Server 2022: Simply install the driver from the included disc or download it from our website to achieve the full 5Gbps speed. Supports Wake on LAN and QoS
  • Important Note: Works out of the box with any Linux distribution running kernel 6.9 (released May 12, 2024) or newer. Linux expertise support is not provided

Full Specifications

BrandBrosTrend
ColorBlack
Item Weight61.3 Grams
Important NoteWorks out of the box with any Linux distribution running kernel 6.9 (released May 12, 2024) or newer. Linux expertise support is not provided
Compatible DevicesAny desktop computer with PCI Express slot, including full tower, mid tower, mini tower and small form factor PC. Compatible with x1, x4, x8, x16 PCIe slots
Data Link ProtocolIEEE 802.3/u/ab/az/bz
Data Transfer Rate5 Gigabits Per Second
Hardware InterfaceEthernet, PCI Express x1
Product Dimensions4.72"L x 2.87"W x 0.47"H
Full listing titleBrosTrend 5Gb PCIe Network Card, PCIe Ethernet Card with Extra Low-Profile, PCI Express Network Adapter for PC Windows 11/10 & Windows Server 2022 ONLY, PCI-e to 5 Gigabit NIC Lifetime Protection

Ready to buy?

BrosTrend 5Gb PCIe Network Card, PCIe Ethernet Card with Extra Low-Profile, PCI Express Network Adapter for PC Windows 11/10 & Windows Server 2022 ONLY, PCI-e to 5 Gigabit NIC Lifetime Protection 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 — $28.79

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

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