Question:

I am looking for a network adapter that is compatible with my MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard, which has three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots and four PCIe 2.0 x1 slots. I am interested in the TP-Link TX201, which has a PCIe 2.1 interface and supports 2.5 Gbps speed. Will this network adapter work with my motherboard? If not, what are my options for a network adapter that can achieve higher than 1 Gbps speed?

Answer:

How to Choose a Network Adapter for Your MSI Z97 Gaming 5 Motherboard

If you are looking for a network adapter that can deliver faster than 1 Gbps speed for your MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard, you might be interested in the TP-Link TX201, which has a PCIe 2.1 interface and supports 2.5 Gbps speed. But will this network adapter work with your motherboard? And if not, what are your alternatives? In this article, we will answer these questions and help you find the best network adapter for your needs.

A network adapter, also known as a network interface card (NIC), is a device that connects your computer to a network, such as the internet, a local area network (LAN), or a wireless network. A network adapter can be either integrated into the motherboard or installed as an expansion card in a PCIe slot.

What is a PCIe Slot?

A PCIe slot, or a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express slot, is a type of expansion slot on the motherboard that allows you to connect various devices, such as graphics cards, sound cards, network adapters, and more. PCIe slots come in different sizes and speeds, such as x1, x4, x8, and x16, where the number indicates the number of lanes or data paths available for the device. The higher the number, the faster the data transfer rate.

What is the Difference Between PCIe 2.0, 2.1, and 3.0?

PCIe 2.0, 2.1, and 3.0 are different versions of the PCIe standard, which specify the speed and bandwidth of the PCIe slots and devices. PCIe 2.0 was introduced in 2007 and has a maximum speed of 5 Gbps per lane. PCIe 2.1 was released in 2009 and is a minor update that adds some features and compatibility improvements. PCIe 3.0 was launched in 2010 and doubles the speed of PCIe 2.0 to 10 Gbps per lane.

Is the TP-Link TX201 Compatible with the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 Motherboard?

The TP-Link TX201 is a network adapter that has a PCIe 2.1 interface and supports 2.5 Gbps speed. The MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard has three PCIe 3.0 x16 slots and four PCIe 2.0 x1 slots. The good news is that PCIe devices and slots are backward and forward compatible, meaning that you can use a PCIe 2.1 device in a PCIe 3.0 or 2.0 slot, and vice versa, as long as the physical size matches. Therefore, the TP-Link TX201 will work with the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard, as long as you plug it into one of the PCIe 3.0 x16 slots or one of the PCIe 2.0 x1 slots.

However, there are some drawbacks to using a PCIe 2.1 device in a PCIe 3.0 or 2.0 slot. First, the device will operate at the lowest common denominator of the slot and the device, meaning that you will not get the full speed and performance of the device. For example, if you plug the TP-Link TX201 into a PCIe 3.0 x16 slot, it will only run at PCIe 2.1 x1 speed, which is 5 Gbps, instead of PCIe 3.0 x16 speed, which is 160 Gbps. Similarly, if you plug it into a PCIe 2.0 x1 slot, it will only run at PCIe 2.0 x1 speed, which is 5 Gbps, instead of PCIe 2.1 x1 speed, which is 5.5 Gbps. Second, the device might not be recognized by the motherboard or the operating system, depending on the BIOS settings and the driver compatibility. You might need to update the BIOS or the driver to make the device work properly.

What are the Alternatives to the TP-Link TX201?

If you want to get the best network adapter for your MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard, you might want to consider other options that have a PCIe 3.0 interface and support higher than 2.5 Gbps speed. Here are some examples of network adapters that fit these criteria:

• ASUS XG-C100C: This network adapter has a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface and supports 10 Gbps speed. It is compatible with Windows 10, Linux, and macOS, and has a stylish red heatsink that matches the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard. It costs around $100 on Amazon.
• QNAP QXG-10G1T: This network adapter has a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface and supports 10 Gbps speed. It is compatible with Windows, Linux, and QNAP NAS devices, and has a low-profile design that fits in most cases. It costs around $90 on Amazon.
• TRENDnet TEG-10GECTX: This network adapter has a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface and supports 10 Gbps speed. It is compatible with Windows and Linux, and has a standard bracket and a low-profile bracket included. It costs around $80 on Amazon.

Conclusion

In

conclusion, the TP-Link TX201 is a network adapter that has a PCIe 2.1 interface and supports 2.5 Gbps speed. It is compatible with the MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard, but it will not run at its full speed and performance, and it might require some BIOS or driver updates. If you want to get the best network adapter for your motherboard, you might want to look for other options that have a PCIe 3.0 interface and support higher than 2.5 Gbps speed, such as the ASUS XG-C100C, the QNAP QXG-10G1T, or the TRENDnet TEG-10GECTX. We hope this article was helpful and informative for you. Thank you for reading!