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Green circuit board with one RJ45 port and silver bracket

STARTECH

STARTECH ST2GPEX 2.5Gbps PCIe x4 network card

SKU CH-FTYX-T5PZM MPN ST2GPEX

Adds a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port over PCIe x4 with four speed options and both brackets included

  • Rated speed2.5G/1G/100 Mbit/s/10 Mbit/s
  • Interface typePCI-Express x4
  • Connection types1 x RJ45
  • Indicator lights1 x Green LED: 2.5 Gbit/s 1 x Green LED: 1 Gbit/s/100 Mbit/s
  • Key featuresMulti-Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with four network speeds
  • Product dimensions4.7 in × 3.1 in × 0.8 in
  • Multi-gigabit speeds up to 2.5Gbps for faster local transfers
  • Four network speeds from 10Mbps to 2.5Gbps ensure broad compatibility
  • Works with existing CAT5e and CAT6a cabling for easy upgrades
  • Energy-efficient Realtek RTL8125 chipset reduces power draw during operation
  • Standard and low-profile brackets included for flexible chassis fit

2.5Gbps PCIe x4 network card

The StarTech ST2GPEX adds a single 2.5GBASE-T port to a desktop or server through a PCI Express x4 slot. It suits IT teams upgrading existing CAT5e or CAT6a runs without recabling and works with Windows, macOS and Linux out of the box.

Capacity and headroom

The Realtek RTL8125 controller negotiates 2.5G, 1G, 100Mbps and 10Mbps links, so the card delivers full 2.5Gbps throughput on CAT5e and CAT6a while falling back gracefully to slower switches. Bandwidth tops out at the 2.5Gbps line rate; heavier multi-gig workloads need faster interfaces.

PCIe x4 interface limits

The x4 electrical connection provides ample lane headroom for the 2.5Gbps PHY, so the slot is not a bottleneck. Actual throughput depends on the host system PCIe generation and on the cabling standard deployed in the building.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Ethernet Cards & NICs, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $35.99
Cheaper than about 78% of the 1,505 comparable items (median $90.99).

Specifications

Product
Brand nameStarTech.com
Model nameST2GPEX
Performance
Rated speed2.5G/1G/100 Mbit/s/10 Mbit/s
Ports & slots
Interface typePCI-Express x4
Connection types1 x RJ45
Size & build
Product dimensions4.7 in × 3.1 in × 0.8 in
Product weight4.9 oz
Shipping weight0.06 kg
Package size170 × 142 × 30 mm
In the box
In the box1 x Network Card
1 x Low-Profile Bracket
1 x Quick-Start Guide
More details
Indicator lights1 x Green LED: 2.5 Gbit/s
1 x Green LED: 1 Gbit/s/100 Mbit/s/10 Mbit/s

Questions about this item

Will the ST2GPEX work in my older PCIe x1 slot?

The card uses a PCIe x4 interface but will negotiate down to x1 bandwidth; it will still link at 2.5G, 1G, 100Mbps or 10Mbps depending on the switch and cable.

Which LED confirms the card is running at 2.5Gbps?

A single green LED lights when the link is negotiated at 2.5Gbps; a second green LED covers 1Gbps, 100Mbps and 10Mbps speeds.

Does the box include both brackets for low-profile and full-height cases?

Yes, the package contains the network card, a low-profile bracket and a quick-start guide; the standard bracket is pre-installed on the card.

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