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: Network Controllers Barcode (EAN/UPC): 740501398526 Brand: Lekuo, IOcrest

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

Power down your computer and disconnect power cable
Select PCIe slot: Any available x1, x4, x8, or x16 slot
Install card: Remove slot cover, insert card, secure with screw
Connect cables: Attach Cat5e/6/6a Ethernet cables to both ports
Boot system: Windows 10/11 will auto-install drivers
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

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