StarTech.com dual-port 10GbE network card showing RJ45 ports and heatsink from front angle

Dual 10GbE Ports with Advanced Thermal Management

The StarTech.com ST20000SPEXI features two high-performance RJ45 ports integrated with an innovative heatsink design. The large aluminum heat sink efficiently dissipates heat from the Intel X540 chipset, ensuring optimal performance during intensive data transfers. The passive cooling solution maintains reliable operation without adding noise or moving parts.

Technical Specifications

  • Dual RJ45 10GBase-T ports for redundant connections
  • Passive aluminum heatsink for optimal thermal performance
  • PCIe x8 interface for maximum throughput

Applications

  • Data center server connectivity
  • High-performance workstation networking
  • Virtualization host networking
Top-down view of StarTech.com network card PCB showing Intel X540 chipset and components

Intel X540 Architecture with Enterprise Features

A detailed view of the card's PCB layout reveals the sophisticated Intel X540 controller implementation. The carefully engineered circuit design incorporates enterprise-grade components and power delivery systems. This architecture enables advanced features like VLAN tagging, jumbo frames, and hardware acceleration while maintaining reliable performance.

Technical Specifications

  • Intel X540 controller with hardware offload capabilities
  • Enterprise-grade component selection
  • Optimized PCB layout for signal integrity

Applications

  • Virtual machine networking
  • iSCSI storage connectivity
  • High-frequency trading systems
Front view of StarTech.com network card showing dual RJ45 ports and bracket design

Space-Efficient Dual Port Design

The streamlined bracket design efficiently houses two 10GbE ports while maintaining a compact form factor. The sturdy metal construction ensures reliable connections and proper port alignment. The integrated heatsink extends to the bracket area, providing comprehensive thermal management across the entire card.

Technical Specifications

  • Standard and low-profile bracket compatibility
  • Reinforced RJ45 port construction
  • Extended heatsink coverage

Applications

  • Space-constrained server installations
  • Dense rack environments
  • Workstation upgrades
Close-up view of StarTech.com network card heatsink and thermal design

Robust Cooling Architecture

The advanced thermal design incorporates a precision-engineered heatsink with optimal fin spacing and surface area. This passive cooling solution effectively manages heat from both the controller chip and surrounding components. The comprehensive thermal management system ensures consistent performance in demanding enterprise environments.

Technical Specifications

  • Optimized heatsink fin design
  • Full-coverage thermal solution
  • Industrial-grade thermal interface material

Applications

  • 24/7 server operations
  • High-temperature environments
  • Performance-critical applications

Product details

General Information
Manufacturer

StarTech.com

Manufacturer Part Number

ST20000SPEXI

Brand Name

StarTech.com

Product Name

2-Port PCI Express 10GBase-T Ethernet Network Card - with Intel X540 Chip

Packaged Quantity

1

Product Type

10Gigabit Ethernet Card

Technical Information
Chipset Manufacturer

Intel

Chipset Model

X540

Interfaces/Ports
Host Interface

PCI Express x4

Total Number of Ports

2

Number of Network (RJ-45) Ports

2

Media & Performance
Media Type Supported

Twisted Pair

Data Transfer Rate

2.50 GB/s

Network & Communication
Network Technology

10GBase-T

Physical Characteristics
Product Color

Black

Form Factor

Plug-in Card

Height

4.7

Width

0.8

Depth

6.4

Weight (Approximate)

5.50 oz

Miscellaneous
Package Contents

  • 2-Port PCI Express 10GBase-T Ethernet Network Card - with Intel X540 Chip
  • 1 x low-profile Bracket
  • 1 x Instruction Manual

Device Supported

Server

System Requirements

  • Windows® 7, 8, 8.1, 10
  • Windows Server® 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019
  • (Windows Drivers are supported in 64-bit only)
  • Linux 2.4.x to 4.11.x LTS versions only
  • ESXi 5.1/5.5

Environmentally Friendly

Yes

Environmental Certification

WEEE
RoHS
REACH

Country of Origin

China

FAQs

What are the key features of the StarTech.com 2-Port 10GBase-T Ethernet Network Card?
The StarTech.com ST20000SPEXI features dual RJ45 ports supporting 10GBase-T Ethernet, powered by an Intel X540 chipset. It offers speeds up to 10Gbps per port (20Gbps total), supports VLAN tagging, jumbo frames, and Auto-MDIX. The card connects via PCI Express x4 or higher, includes both full-height and low-profile brackets, and is compatible with multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, and ESXi.
What operating systems is this network card compatible with?
The network card supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (64-bit only), Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, Linux versions 2.4.x to 4.11.x (LTS versions only), and ESXi 5.1/5.5. It's important to note that Windows drivers are only supported in 64-bit environments.
What is the maximum data transfer speed of this network card?
This network card supports up to 10Gbps data transfer speed in each direction (20Gbps total throughput). It's compatible with 100/1000/10G speeds through its RJ45 ports, offering backward compatibility while providing high-speed 10GBase-T connectivity. The card achieves this through a PCIe x4 interface with 2.50 GB/s data transfer capability.
What comes included in the package?
The package includes the 2-Port PCI Express 10GBase-T Ethernet Network Card with Intel X540 chip, a low-profile bracket for installation in smaller form factor systems, and an instruction manual. This complete kit provides everything needed for installation in either full-height or low-profile systems.
What are the physical dimensions of the network card?
The StarTech.com network card measures 4.7 inches in height, 0.8 inches in width, and 6.4 inches in depth. It weighs approximately 5.50 ounces. The card features a dual-profile design and comes with both full-height and low-profile brackets for versatile installation options.

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Manufacturer StarTech.com Supermicro Computer, Inc Arcserve Axiom Memory Solutions
Host Interface PCI Express x4 PCI Express 3.0 x4 PCI Express 2.1 x8 PCI Express 3.0 x16
Total Number of Ports 2 2 2 2
Number of Network (RJ-45) Ports 2 2 2 2
Media Type Supported Twisted Pair Twisted Pair Twisted Pair Twisted Pair
Network Technology 10GBase-T 10GBase-T 10GBase-T 10GBase-T
Form Factor Plug-in Card Plug-in Card Plug-in Card Plug-in Card
Device Supported Server N/A N/A Server