QNAP QXG-10G1T 10GbE Network Card: features, specs and who it suits

The QNAP QXG-10G1T is a PCI Express network card with one RJ45 port that can run at up to 10 gigabits per second. It is meant for people who want to move a computer or a NAS from ordinary gigabit Ethernet to a much faster wired link, without having to replace all of their cabling.

What the Aquantia AQC107 controller does

QNAP builds the card around the Aquantia AQtion AQC107, a network controller designed for multi-gigabit copper Ethernet. The chip handles the 10GBASE-T standard along with the intermediate speeds that sit between 1 and 10 gigabits. That matters because many switches and routers support only some of them, and a card that negotiates down can still work on slower gear.

Five speeds on one port

The card supports 10GBASE-T, 5GBASE-T, 2.5GBASE-T, 1000BASE-T and 100BASE-TX. In practice, the port settles on the fastest speed that both ends and the cable can handle. Plug it into a 2.5-gigabit switch and it runs at 2.5 gigabits; plug it into an older gigabit switch and it runs at 1 gigabit. You can buy the card first and upgrade the rest of the network later.

Cables: what you can reuse

The port is a standard RJ45 connector, so it takes the same twisted-pair cables most homes and offices already have. QNAP says Cat 5e cable can reach up to 5Gbps, while Cat 6a can carry the full 10Gbps. Cable length and quality matter at higher speeds, so a short, good-quality run is more likely to hold the top speed than a long, old one.

PCIe 3.0 x4 and the brackets

The card uses a PCIe 3.0 x4 connection. A PCIe 3.0 lane carries roughly 1 GB/s each way, so four lanes provide comfortably more bandwidth than a 10-gigabit port needs. It will usually fit in a longer slot, such as x8 or x16, too, though the slot's real lane count depends on the motherboard.

The package comes with a pre-fitted low-profile bracket, plus a full-height bracket and a specialized bracket for designated QNAP NAS models. That covers slim desktops, standard towers and compatible QNAP units.

Operating systems

QNAP lists Windows and Linux as supported operating systems. If you use something else, such as macOS or a specialized firewall distribution, confirm driver availability for the AQC107 before planning around the card.

Who it suits

• Owners of a compatible QNAP NAS who want faster file transfers over the network.
• People with a workstation that handles large media files or backups.
• Home labs and small offices moving to multi-gigabit copper without recabling.

What to check before you buy

• Slot: confirm a free PCIe slot with at least x4 electrical lanes, and check the bracket height your case needs.
• NAS compatibility: if it is for a QNAP NAS, check that your model is on the supported list and that it uses the specialized bracket.
• Rest of the network: you only get 10Gbps if the switch or router at the other end supports it.
• Cabling: check the cable category and length for the speed you want.
• Drivers: confirm driver support for your operating system and version.
• Cooling and airflow: 10GBASE-T controllers can run warm, so leave airflow around the card.

The short version

• A single-port 10GBASE-T network card with PCIe 3.0 x4, built on the Aquantia AQtion AQC107.
• Five speeds: 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G and 100M over one RJ45 port.
• Works with existing twisted-pair cable; QNAP quotes up to 5Gbps on Cat 5e and 10Gbps on Cat 6a.
• Low-profile bracket pre-fitted, with full-height and QNAP NAS brackets included.
• Listed for Windows and Linux.

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