StarTech.com 2-Port 10G Fiber Network Card with Open SFP+ - PCIe, Intel Chip

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

If you’re looking for a straightforward way to add dual 10GbE fibre to a PCIe server, this StarTech card is a pretty sensible “get it working” option. It’s especially appealing if your environment is already on SFP+ fibre cabling and you don’t want to mess around with USB/managed adapters or anything fiddly. The Intel chipset is the bit that matters in day-to-day terms: it tends to behave predictably under load, plays nicely with common server OS drivers, and generally won’t be the card that causes your performance gremlins later.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it just because it says “Intel” and “10G” on the box. At £318.61 ex-VAT for a 2-port card, you want to be sure you actually need fibre (not just higher speed). If you’re planning to connect short distances with patch panels, SFP+ modules and compatible optics can easily turn this into a bigger spend than you expect—so budget for those. Also, only buy if your server supports the PCIe slot type/lanes you have free and you’re confident you’ll get the right drivers for your OS; if you’re on a niche platform, sometimes the “easy install” story depends on the exact OS version.

**Who should buy:** small-to-mid business server upgrades where you already have (or are planning) 10GbE fibre, and you want reliable hardware with minimal drama. **Who shouldn’t:** anyone on copper-only networks, anyone who doesn’t already have SFP+ optics lined up, or anyone trying to chase the cheapest possible 10GbE solution without counting the module/compatibility costs.