New 10 GbE USB adapters are cooler, smaller, cheaper (jeffgeerling.com)

Article summary

New 10 GbE USB adapters based on the RTL8159 chip are available, offering a more compact and affordable option for 10 gigabit networking. However, their performance is dependent on the USB port speed, with only USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports capable of reaching full 10 Gbps speeds. The adapters are cooler and more power-efficient than previous Thunderbolt adapters. They may not be the best value for those who don't need 10 Gbps speeds, as 2.5 or 5 Gbps adapters are still more cost-effective.

Main themes

• 10 GbE USB adapters
• USB port speed limitations
• Networking performance
• Power efficiency
• Cost-effectiveness
• Ethernet standards

What commenters say

• The new 10 GbE USB adapters are a good option for those who need 10 Gbps speeds and have a compatible USB port, but may not be the best value for others.
• Some commenters argue that 100M Ethernet is still necessary for certain applications, such as low-power devices or embedded systems, and that removing support for it would render some devices unusable.
• Others disagree, stating that 100M Ethernet is no longer necessary and that switches can handle devices with different speeds without degrading network performance.
• There is a discussion about the limitations of USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports and the trade-offs between different USB standards, such as USB4 and Thunderbolt.
• Some commenters mention that the availability of USB4 devices is limited, while others argue that USB4 devices are widely available.
• The importance of 10/100 support is highlighted by some commenters, who have experienced difficulties finding devices that support these speeds, particularly in industrial or embedded applications.