Did you just spend $30 on something unnecessary?
Did you just spend $30 on something unnecessary?
Seems like a typical PCIe Intel X540 card. Server models usually require more lanes because they use older PCIe versions. The X540 is built for PCIe v2.1 x8, so the lower slots are likely only x4. On PC2 it should fit in the top lane, but on PC1 you’ll need a GPU there. If you’re okay with your GPU being at x8, it might work in the second slot. I’m not entirely sure if this could force your GPU to PCIe 2.1, which would be quite problematic.
Not every card functions this way; some are limited to match the precise number of lanes they’re built for. The design determines compatibility. With two-port cards, it might disable the second port because they’re set up for one controller per four lanes. However, there’s no certainty about success—it could fail entirely if the card isn’t meant for those specific servers with sufficient PCIe lanes. This likely explains why these cards were so inexpensive compared to others using the same chipset.
It seems the demand for crossover cables has decreased a long time ago. Auto MDI addressed this issue and also corrected problems with less common twisted pair connections that some budget NICs had issues with. I still remember those vibrant red cables—they made you feel special. I think the device manager would still list it as an unknown device. The owner should verify again, but not under network devices.