Q
This card uses a PCIe x1 interface. Can it be used in a PCIe x4 or x16 slot?
A
Yes. This network card features a PCIe x1 interface design for maximum compatibility. It can be installed and will work perfectly in any PCIe x1, x4, x8, or x16 slot on your motherboard.
Q
Why can't I reach the full 10Gbps speed on a PCIe 3.0 slot?
A
The Marvell AQC113 chip over a PCIe 3.0 x1 lane has a theoretical one-way bandwidth of about 8Gbps (actual real-world speed around 7-8Gbps after overhead). To achieve the full 10Gbps line rate, it is recommended to connect it to a PCIe 4.0 x1 or higher slot.
Q
Does this 10G network card support 2.5G or 5G speeds, or only 1G and 10G?
A
It supports full-rate adaptation. This card is fully compatible with 10M/100M/1000M(1G)/2.5G/5G/10G network speeds, and will automatically negotiate the optimal speed with your switch or router.
Q
Does this AQC113 card support Synology NAS, QNAP, or PVE/ESXi systems?
A
Yes. In addition to native Windows 10/11 and Linux system support, the Marvell AQC113 chipset is widely supported in modern Linux kernels, making it excellent for DIY NAS, soft routers (e.g., OpenWrt), and virtualization environments like PVE or ESXi.
Q
What kind of Ethernet cable do I need to achieve 10Gbps speed?
A
To ensure stable 10G data transmission and prevent packet loss, it is highly recommended to use high-quality Cat6 (for short distances) or Cat6A / Cat7 and above Ethernet cables.
Q
10G network cards usually run hot. How is the thermal performance and operating temperature of this card?
A
This network card is equipped with a large, highly efficient heatsink and supports a wide operating temperature range from 0°C to 85°C. With standard PC case airflow, it manages heat exceptionally well during prolonged high-load file transfers.
Q
Does this network card support Wake-on-LAN (WOL) and PXE Boot?
A
Yes. It fully supports both WOL (Wake-on-LAN) for remote wake-up and PXE diskless boot, which is convenient for corporate IT deployment and remote device management.
Q
My PC is a mini case (ITX / SFF). Will this network card fit?
A
Yes. In addition to the pre-installed standard-height bracket, the package includes a Low Profile bracket for small form factor cases, making it perfectly compatible with ITX builds, SFF PCs, and 2U servers.
Q
I can't reach full 10G speed when testing with iperf3 in Windows. How can I optimize it?
A
10G networks are highly sensitive to OS configurations. Suggestions: 1. Enable Jumbo Frames (e.g., 9000 bytes) in the card's Advanced Properties via Device Manager. 2. Ensure your storage write speeds are sufficient (NVMe SSD recommended). 3. Use multi-threaded mode in your iperf3 test (e.g., add parameter -P 4).
Q
Where can I download the latest driver? Is Windows 11 plug-and-play?
A
Windows 11 requires driver installation. It is recommended to download the latest driver from the product detail page (or from the official Marvell website) to ensure optimal performance and stable jumbo frame operation.
