Description
IOCREST USB4 to 10GbE Adapter
Marvell AQC113 โข USB4 & Thunderbolt 3/4/5 โข Plug-and-Play on Mac, Windows & Linux โข Bus Powered
Why 10 Gigabit Ethernet Changes Everything
Standard Gigabit Ethernet (1GbE) has been the ceiling for most home and small office setups for over two decades โ and for most tasks it was enough. But modern NAS systems with NVMe arrays, 4K/8K video production workflows, and SSD-backed Mac Minis can push far beyond what 1GbE can deliver. 10 Gigabit Ethernet removes that bottleneck entirely, allowing up to 1,000 MB/s of sustained throughput โ giving you the full potential of fast storage over the network.
- NAS file transfers: Copy a 100GB video project in ~100 seconds vs ~15 minutes over 1GbE
- NVMe-backed Mac Mini NAS: Sustained iperf3 throughput of 9.49 Gbit/s confirmed in independent testing
- Video editing over network: 500โ600 MB/s sustained real-world transfer rates for large media files
- Latency: Sub-millisecond wired latency โ stable, interference-free, no Wi-Fi dropouts
Why Choose the IOCREST IO-HTB113-GLAN?
- โ True 10GbE speeds โ no PCIe slot required โ Connects via USB-C (USB4 / Thunderbolt). Perfect for laptops, Mac Minis, mini PCs, and NAS devices that can’t accept a PCIe expansion card.
- โ Marvell AQC113 chipset โ The same chipset Apple uses in their own 10G Mac upgrades. Proven, mature, and widely supported across Windows, macOS, and Linux with no driver installation required on Mac.
- โ Universal USB4 & Thunderbolt compatibility โ Works on USB4, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 5 ports. Auto-negotiates down to 5G / 2.5G / 1G / 100M on older switches.
- โ Bus-powered โ no external PSU โ Draws only 2.5W at full 10G speed. No extra cables, no power brick. Just plug into your USB-C port and go.
- โ Fanless passive cooling โ Silent operation. The metal enclosure acts as a heatsink. In sustained 5-minute 8-stream torture tests, the case temperature rose only +5ยฐC above ambient.
- โ Significantly cheaper than Thunderbolt-only alternatives โ OWC, Sonnet, and Sabrent charge ยฃ150โยฃ200+ for Thunderbolt-certified 10G adapters. This adapter uses the same AQC113 chipset at a fraction of the cost, made possible by USB4’s open licensing vs Intel’s Thunderbolt certification.
- โ Advanced networking features โ Jumbo frames up to 16KB, AVB, PTP/1588v2 (precision time protocol), Sync-E, NC-SI, MCTP. Full IEEE 802.3an/bz/ab compliance.
- โ Endorsed by independent reviewers โ Reviewed by NASCompares (“opens the door to affordable and accessible 10GbE connectivity”) and MCTK (“best upgrade for a GbE-limited Mac”, achieving 9.49 Gbit/s in testing).
Ideal Applications & Use Cases
๐ฅ๏ธ Mac Users & Mac Mini NAS
Plug-and-play on macOS โ no drivers needed. Instantly identified as Marvell/Aquantia AQC113. Transforms a GbE-limited Mac Mini into a 10G-capable machine. Confirmed working on M1, M2, and Intel Macs.
๐๏ธ Home NAS & Network Storage
Perfect for: Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS, Unraid, and DIY NAS builds. Connect your workstation directly to a NAS with a 10G port and copy files at 500โ1000 MB/s โ limited only by your storage, not your network.
๐ฌ Content Creators & Video Editors
Edit 4K/8K timelines directly from a NAS. Real-world transfer of 33 high-end multimedia files (10GB total) measured at 500โ600 MB/s. No more waiting for massive project files to copy before you can start.
๐ผ Professionals & Remote Workers
Stable, low-latency wired connection for video conferencing, VPN, and large file collaboration. Works on any USB4 or Thunderbolt-equipped laptop โ Dell XPS, Lenovo ThinkPad, HP Spectre, Surface Pro, and more.
๐งช Home Lab & Mini PCs
Give mini PCs (Intel NUC, Beelink, MINISFORUM, etc.) proper 10GbE without cracking open the case. Also ideal as the first of a new wave of affordable dual-10GbE and even 25GbE USB4 connectivity in the future.
๐ง Linux & Windows Power Users
Supported on Linux Kernel 3.10 and later โ including common NAS distros. Windows 10/11 drivers available. Bring up a 10G link on your homelab server without touching the PCIe configuration.
โ ๏ธ Important: Port Compatibility Requirements
This adapter requires a USB4 or Thunderbolt 3/4/5 port. It does not work with USB 3.2, USB 3.1, USB 3.0, or USB 2.0 ports โ even though they look identical (USB-C shape). Check your device’s spec sheet for “USB4” or “Thunderbolt” labelling before purchasing.
- โ USB4 Gen 2ร2 (20 Gbps)
- โ USB4 Gen 3ร2 (40 Gbps)
- โ Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps)
- โ Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps)
- โ Thunderbolt 5 (120 Gbps)
Not compatible:
- โ USB 3.2 Gen 2ร2 (20 Gbps)
- โ USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)
- โ USB 3.1 / USB 3.0 / USB 2.0
- โ Standard USB-C charging ports without USB4/TB specification
Not sure about your port? On Mac: Apple Menu โ About This Mac โ System Report โ Thunderbolt/USB. On Windows: check Device Manager โ Universal Serial Bus Controllers, or look for the Thunderbolt โก symbol next to the port.
Complete Technical Specifications
| Model | IO-HTB113-GLAN |
| Chipset | Marvell/Aquantia AQC113 |
| Interface | USB-C (USB4 / Thunderbolt 3, 4 & 5) |
| Ethernet Port | 1ร RJ45 โ 10G / 5G / 2.5G / 1G / 100M BASE-T (auto-negotiation) |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 10/11 ยท macOS (plug-and-play, no drivers) ยท Linux Kernel 3.10+ |
| Power | Bus-powered via USB-C โ no external power supply required |
| Power Draw | 2.5W (10GBASE-T) / 1.5W (5GBASE-T) / 1W (1GBASE-T) |
| Jumbo Frames | Up to 16 KB |
| Advanced Features | AVB, PTP/1588v2, Sync-E, MSI, MSI-X, INTx, NC-SI, MCTP |
| IEEE Standards | 802.3an / 802.3bz / 802.3ab / 802.3u / 802.3q / 802.3x / 802.3az |
| Cooling | Passive fanless โ metal enclosure heatsink (+5ยฐC above ambient at full load) |
| Dimensions | 102.7 ร 40.4 ร 25.6 mm |
| Weight | 250 g |
| Operating Temp | 0ยฐC to +108ยฐC |
| Storage Temp | โ40ยฐC to +110ยฐC |
| EAN/UPC | 5060751712268 |
What’s Included in the Package
- โ 1ร IO-HTB113-GLAN USB4 to 10G Ethernet Adapter
- โ 1ร USB4 Cable
- โ 1ร User Manual
Note: An Ethernet cable is NOT included. You will need a Cat6 or better cable to connect to your router or switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my laptop or Mac has USB4 or Thunderbolt?
On Mac: Apple Menu โ About This Mac โ System Report โ Thunderbolt/USB. On Windows: look for the โก Thunderbolt symbol next to the port, or check Device Manager โ Universal Serial Bus Controllers. Most MacBooks from 2019+, Dell XPS 13/15 from 2020+, and Lenovo ThinkPads from 2021+ have USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Q: Does my router or switch need to be 10GbE too?
For full 10G speeds between two devices, both ends need a 10G connection. For the fastest possible NAS transfers, connect the adapter directly to your NAS with an Ethernet cable (point-to-point). If your switch is only 1G or 2.5G, the adapter will auto-negotiate down to match โ it will still work, just not at 10G speeds.
Q: Do I need to install drivers on my Mac?
No. macOS recognises the AQC113 chipset natively โ it’s the same chipset in Apple’s own 10GbE Mac upgrades. Simply plug in and it appears in System Settings โ Network as a new Ethernet interface, ready to use.
Q: What real-world speeds should I expect?
In iperf3 point-to-point testing, the adapter achieves 9.49 Gbit/s. For NAS file transfers, expect 500โ800 MB/s depending on your NAS storage type and configuration. Single large file transfers (4K video, disk images) will be at the higher end; many small files will be lower, as with any file transfer.
Q: Can I use it with Thunderbolt 5? What about older Thunderbolt 3 Macs?
Yes to both. Thunderbolt 5 is fully compatible and will run the adapter at its maximum capability. Thunderbolt 3 (found on MacBooks from 2016โ2020 and many Windows laptops) also works perfectly โ Thunderbolt 3 provides 40 Gbps of bandwidth, more than enough headroom for 10GbE.
Q: Will it get hot in continuous use?
It runs warm but not hot. Independent testing showed the enclosure rose only +5ยฐC above ambient after 5 minutes of 8-stream maximum-load testing. The passive metal enclosure heatsink is well-designed for continuous 24/7 operation in normal room temperatures.
โ System Compatibility Requirements
- โ Required: USB4 or Thunderbolt 3/4/5 port (USB-C connector)
- โ OS: Windows 10/11, macOS (plug-and-play), Linux Kernel 3.10+
- โ Works with: MacBooks, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, Dell XPS, ThinkPad, HP Spectre, Surface Pro, Intel NUC, Beelink, MINISFORUM, and any USB4/TB device
- โ NAS compatibility: Any NAS with a USB4 or Thunderbolt port (Synology, QNAP, TerraMaster, etc.)
- โ Networking: Auto-negotiates with any 10G / 5G / 2.5G / 1G / 100M switch or router
- โ Power: Bus-powered โ no mains adapter or separate power cable required
- โ Not compatible with: USB 3.2, USB 3.1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 ports (even if they have a USB-C connector)
- โ Not compatible with: Devices that only have a standard USB-C charging port without USB4/Thunderbolt specification
Why Buy from TekHouse?
โ UK Stock, Fast Dispatch
Next working day dispatch from our UK warehouse. No waiting weeks for slow shipping from overseas. Order today, install tomorrow.
โ Genuine IOCREST Hardware
Authentic IO-HTB113-GLAN with genuine Marvell AQC113 chipset, sourced from authorised distributors โ not grey market or counterfeit units.
โ Expert Technical Support
Pre- and post-sales support from people who actually understand networking. Help with driver setup, port compatibility, and getting the best performance from your setup.
โ 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If this adapter doesn’t work for your setup or you’re not satisfied for any reason, return it within 30 days for a full refund. No questions, no restocking fees.
Verified Purchase
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