Dual Port 2.5G Ethernet PCIe 2.5 Gb Network Card – RTL8125E Chipset – 2x RJ45 Gigabit NIC Adapter with Low Profile Bracket

Upgrade to 2.5G networking with dual Ethernet ports – Professional network card with Realtek RTL8125E chipset. 2.5x faster than Gigabit, fully backward compatible. Perfect for NAS, gaming, content creation. Includes low-profile bracket.

  • Dual 2.5G ports – Up to 250MB/s per port
  • PCIe x1 interface – Fits any PCIe slot
  • Universal OS support – Windows, Linux, macOS
  • Advanced features – VLAN, jumbo frames, link aggregation

Only 2 left in stock

£29.99

SKU: IO-PCE8125E-2GLAN Category: Barcode (EAN/UPC): 740501398526 Brand: ,

Description

Dual Port 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet Upgrade

Realtek RTL8125E • 2x RJ45 • PCIe x1 • 2.5x Faster Than Gigabit

Why Upgrade to 2.5G?

Standard Gigabit Ethernet (1Gbps) has been the networking standard for over 20 years. Modern applications demand more:

  • 📊 NAS Transfers: Move 100GB+ media libraries in minutes instead of hours
  • 🎮 Gaming: Reduced latency and faster game/update downloads
  • 🎬 Content Creation: Edit 4K/8K video from network storage without stuttering
  • 💼 Business: Faster backups, VM migrations, and file sharing
  • 🏠 Future-Proof: Ready for next-generation home and office networks

Proven RTL8125E Chipset

Built around the industry-standard Realtek RTL8125E 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet controller, this network card benefits from mature, stable drivers and widespread compatibility. The RTL8125E is the same chipset used by major motherboard manufacturers (ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, ASRock) in their premium boards, ensuring excellent long-term support across Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms.

Real-World Performance

Sequential Transfers: 250-280 MB/s per port (2.0-2.24 Gbps actual)
4K Video Streaming: Stream multiple 4K streams simultaneously without buffering
Large File Transfers: 100GB in ~6-7 minutes vs. ~14-15 minutes on Gigabit
Latency: Lower ping times in gaming and time-sensitive applications

Dual Port Advantages

Two independent 2.5-Gigabit ports unlock advanced networking capabilities:

🔗 Link Aggregation (LACP)

Combine both ports for up to 5Gbps aggregate throughput. Requires LACP-capable switch. Perfect for servers and high-bandwidth workstations.

🌐 Network Separation

Connect to two different networks simultaneously. One for internet, one for isolated local network/NAS. Ideal for security-conscious users.

🔄 Failover Protection

Automatic switchover if one connection fails. Ensures continuous uptime for critical applications and servers.

💾 Dedicated Paths

Use one port for internet access, another for direct NAS connection. Prevents NAS traffic from competing with internet bandwidth.

Universal Compatibility

Installation Flexibility

  • PCIe Slot: Works in any x1, x4, x8, or x16 PCIe slot (only uses x1 electrical lanes)
  • Form Factor: Compact 65.3mm x 75mm design – single slot footprint
  • Chassis: Standard full-height bracket installed, low-profile bracket included
  • PCIe Version: PCIe 2.1 spec (compatible with PCIe 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 slots)

Operating System Support

Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (32/64-bit) – Native support in Win10/11
Linux Kernel 5.9+ (native r8125), earlier kernels via r8125 module
macOS 10.x+ with third-party kext (LucyRTL8125Ethernet recommended)
DOS Packet driver support available

Advanced Professional Features

VLAN Support
  • 802.1Q VLAN tagging
  • 802.1ad Double VLAN (Q-in-Q)
  • 802.1P Layer 2 priority
  • Multiple VLAN configurations
Time Synchronization
  • IEEE 1588v1/v2 PTP
  • IEEE 802.1AS gPTP
  • Hardware timestamping
  • Sub-microsecond accuracy
Performance
  • Jumbo frames (16KB)
  • Hardware CRC & ECC
  • TX/RX buffer offload
  • MSI & MSI-X interrupts
Power Efficiency
  • 802.3az EEE (Energy Efficient)
  • PCIe L1 substates
  • ECMA-393 ProxZzzy
  • Wake-on-LAN support

Complete Technical Specifications

Specification Details
Model Number IO-PCE8125E-2GLAN
Chipset 2x Realtek RTL8125E 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet Controllers
Interface PCI Express x1 (PCIe 2.1 specification)
Ports 2x RJ45 Ethernet (independent controllers)
Network Speeds 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps per port (auto-negotiation)
Max Throughput 2.5Gbps (250MB/s) per port / 5Gbps combined with LACP
Duplex Mode Full Duplex with IEEE 802.3x flow control
Cable Type Cat5e minimum (Cat6/6a recommended for 2.5G)
Max Cable Length 100 meters (328 feet) at 2.5Gbps
Jumbo Frames Up to 16KB (16,384 bytes)
VLAN Support 802.1Q, 802.1ad (Q-in-Q), 802.1P priority
Card Dimensions 65.3mm (W) x 75mm (H) – Single slot
Bracket Full-height (installed) + Low-profile (included)
LED Indicators Link/Activity per port (on rear bracket)
Power Draw Low power (<5W typical), PCIe slot powered
Operating Temp 0°C to 70°C (32°F to 158°F)

What’s in the Box

  • ✓ 1x Dual Port 2.5G Ethernet PCIe Network Card
  • ✓ 1x Low Profile Bracket
  • ✓ 1x User Manual

*Ethernet cables not included – Cat5e or better required

Installation Guide

  1. Power down your computer and disconnect power cable
  2. Select PCIe slot: Any available x1, x4, x8, or x16 slot
  3. Install card: Remove slot cover, insert card, secure with screw
  4. Connect cables: Attach Cat5e/6/6a Ethernet cables to both ports
  5. Boot system: Windows 10/11 will auto-install drivers
  6. Verify: Check Device Manager or Network Settings for 2.5G adapters

Important Notes

Network Requirements:

  • 2.5G speeds require 2.5G-capable switch/router (backward compatible with 1G/100M)
  • Use Cat5e minimum (Cat6/6a recommended) for reliable 2.5G operation
  • Check NAS/server supports 2.5G to take full advantage of card’s capabilities

Driver Notes:

  • Windows 10/11: Automatic driver via Windows Update (RTL8125E native)
  • Windows 7/8: Download from Realtek website
  • Linux: Kernel 5.9+ has native support; r8125 DKMS module for older kernels
  • macOS: Requires LucyRTL8125Ethernet or RealtekRTL8125 kext

TekHouse Quality Guarantee

Fast UK dispatch • Quality tested networking components • Expert technical support

Additional information

Weight 150 g

Reviews

There are no reviews yet

Add a review
You must be logged in to post a review Log In

Q & A

Ask a question
There are no questions yet