10GbE NICs which should I get?

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AnIgnorantPerson

Limp Gawd
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I have 2 10GbE Intel NICs already that I got off Ebay used. Granted, I have no idea if they are real or fake ones so I was posting on here if anyone had any advice on what seller I should try to buy another 10GbE NIC from. I need a third one.
 
Spartacus09 said:
Are you looking for 10g eithernet, fiber, SFP+? indifferent?
Click to expand...

I bought these last time from the fiberstore:
Generic Compatible 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m DOM Transceiver

According to speccy, I have:
Intel(R) Ethernet Server Adapter X520-1

I found email I bought 2 for 98 dollars.

oh wow it was 2016 I order those o_O

I found these 2
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-X520...:IvsAAOSw0xxc0CqL:sc:USPSPriority!60542!US!-1
This comes with Intel transceiver?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Retail-Int...033618&hash=item3404ae9b4b:g:5FwAAOSwuJlccVgC
 
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What distance are you going? DAC cables are generally cheaper and less picky than the transceiver + fiber counterparts but you're limited to about 20 feet, anything above 7M gets stupid expensive (like 10m is about 150$ vs 7m is $40 and under $20 for 1-5m lengths).
That being said you can get some cheap single port mellanox connect x2 cards for under $30: https://ebay.us/dSHICA
Or if you want the next level up the mellanox connect x3 cards for $55: https://ebay.us/y3HeHf

They're really cheap and work great, I've been using a x3 dual port dell variant in my supermicro board with no issues.
I put one of the x2 in my HTPC and main desktop with a fan mounted on it to keep it from overheating as well.
They're a little pricer now, they used to be $40 for a pair of the single port.
 
Spartacus09 said:
What distance are you going? DAC cables are generally cheaper and less picky than the transceiver + fiber counterparts but you're limited to about 20 feet, anything above 7M gets stupid expensive (like 10m is about 150$ vs 7m is $40 and under $20 for 1-5m lengths).
That being said you can get some cheap single port mellanox connect x2 cards for under $30: https://ebay.us/dSHICA
Or if you want the next level up the mellanox connect x3 cards for $55: https://ebay.us/y3HeHf

They're really cheap and work great, I've been using a x3 dual port dell variant in my supermicro board with no issues.
I put one of the x2 in my HTPC and main desktop with a fan mounted on it to keep it from overheating as well.
They're a little pricer now, they used to be $40 for a pair of the single port.
Click to expand...
Fiber has been pretty cheap from the fiber store. I bought 20m cables for 21 bucks.

I would just stick to fiber since it hasnt been that expensive
 
Aight, you do you, I rarely need to traverse more than 1m much less 3 so the total cost for the "transceivers" + cable is about 15$ going the DAC route for me.
 
Spartacus09 said:
Aight, you do you, I rarely need to traverse more than 1m much less 3 so the total cost for the "transceivers" + cable is about 15$ going the DAC route for me.
Click to expand...
its because my desk is across the basement away from where the internet comes in and the whole house is already set up for all the network coming into 1 point. It isn't worth moving 10+ cables so I run my server and desktop to the switch that is like 10 meters by the crow?

EDIT: Spartacus09

Looking at thread again. What is the difference between this and intels? I like the 2 port card. I could also use it in my pfsense box down the road if my ISP upgrades to 10GbE fiber (supposedly in the works lol)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mellanox-C...FP-MCX312A-XCBT-Bracket-Options-/352617650179
 
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What switches are you guys using? Thinking about picking up one of those Mellanox cards for my home server.
 
I'm using direct connect right now, but will likely pick up either one of the mirkotek CRS305-1G-4S+IN or CRS309-1G-8S+IN
Or if I go for future expand the ubiquiti XG 16 or mikrotik CRS317-1G-16S+RM (I like the redundant PSU on this)
 
AnIgnorantPerson said:
EDIT: Spartacus09

Looking at thread again. What is the difference between this and intels? I like the 2 port card. I could also use it in my pfsense box down the road if my ISP upgrades to 10GbE fiber (supposedly in the works lol)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mellanox-C...FP-MCX312A-XCBT-Bracket-Options-/352617650179
Click to expand...

Between the connectx-2 and 3 cards? Other than the pci-e speed not much (2.0 x8 vs 3.0 x8). The x-3 is newer and a bit faster of course, and tends to run a little cooler as well. Its also still supported by mellanox and has a little better compatibility.
 
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