TP-link TX401 10GbE network card restricted to 4Gb speeds
TP-link TX401 10GbE network card restricted to 4Gb speeds
Final Update. The NIC keeps following an odd pattern, requiring me to re-seat the card and even reinstall the driver sometimes. My take is that the TP-Link TX401 is really poor quality—don’t buy it. While the card might have worked once, its defect rate is extremely high and the build quality is so low that it’s just a waste of money. TP-Link seems to prioritize cost over reliability, and I strongly advise against purchasing one.
Examine PCI-e slot performance using HWInfo64. Check the card's temperature if available. If downgrading to PCI-e 2.0, expect only 500 MB/s per lane. Verify both devices have PCI-e 3.0 slots—consider swapping cards into a 3.0 slot to avoid compatibility problems. Monitor card temperatures or try running a fan on the card to see if it helps. You might also test a proper crossover cable (10G+) between network cards to isolate issues, as cards with this chip are generally consistent across models. Avoid skipping standard options like the TP-Link TX401, as they all rely on the same chip technology.