Intel Compatible X540T2 - PCI Express x8 10GbE NIC with 2x RJ45 Ports

Upgrade your networking backbone with the Intel Compatible X540T2 PCI Express x8 Network Interface Card. Built around the robust Intel X540 chipset, this dual-port 10 Gigabit Ethernet NIC delivers high-speed, low-latency connectivity suitable for servers, workstations, and high-demand desktops. With two RJ-45 ports, you can attach 10GBASE-T networks to core switches, storage networks, or hypervisor environments while maintaining compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and virtualization platforms. The X540T2 is designed for performance and reliability, offering features that optimize throughput, reduce CPU overhead, and simplify management in demanding workflows. It’s the ideal upgrade for anyone who needs fast, scalable, and dependable network access without sacrificing stability or compatibility.

• Two 10 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 ports (10GBASE-T) backed by the Intel X540 chipset, delivering blistering uplink/downlink speeds for data centers, virtualization, backups, and high-throughput workloads. Each port can operate at 10 Gbps, enabling seamless multi-node transfers, server clustering, and fast backups across the network.
• PCI Express x8 interface engineered for maximum throughput, offering up to ~4000 MB/s of total bandwidth. This architecture ensures minimal bottlenecks when moving large data sets, streaming high-resolution media, or running virtual machines with intensive networking requirements.
• Advanced networking features designed to optimize performance and reliability, including jumbo frames (up to 9K), VLAN tagging, Receive Side Scaling (RSS), Large Send Offload (LSO), and Large Receive Offload (LRO). These capabilities reduce CPU overhead and improve packet processing efficiency under heavy load.
• Robust compatibility and enterprise-grade reliability with a Lifetime Warranty. The X540T2 supports Windows and Linux drivers, works across a wide range of server, workstation, and desktop configurations, and is suitable for NIC teaming, link aggregation, and virtualization environments, helping you build resilient, scalable networks.
• Simple deployment and flexible management for modern IT environments. The card supports standard OS-level NIC teaming (for fault tolerance and load balancing) and is compatible with common virtualization platforms, making it easy to integrate into existing data center or lab infrastructures without complex reconfigurations.

Technical Details of Intel Compatible X540T2

• Product Type: PCI Express Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Model: X540T2
• Chipset: Intel Ethernet Controller X540
• Bus Interface: PCI Express x8 (Gen 2 compatibility)
• Network Ports: 2 x RJ-45 10GBASE-T ports
• Maximum Theoretical Throughput: Up to ~4000 MB/s total bandwidth on the PCIe x8 bus
• Port Speeds: 10 Gbps per port (dual-port 20 Gbps aggregate theoretical)
• Frame Size Support: Jumbo frames up to 9K
• Networking Features: VLAN tagging, RSS, LSO, LRO, and TCP/IP offloads
• Compatibility: PCIe slots (2.0 x8 recommended; backward compatible with 1.x/3.x slots)
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows and Linux with Intel-provided drivers
• Warranty: Lifetime Warranty

How to install Intel Compatible X540T2

• Power down your system and unplug from power. For servers, ensure maintenance windows and proper static precautions are observed.
• Open the computer or server chassis and locate a free PCI Express slot, preferably an x8 or x16 slot to maximize bandwidth.
• Insert the X540T2 card firmly into the PCIe slot until it seats securely. Fasten the bracket to the chassis with a screw to prevent movement during operation.
• Connect any required 10GBASE-T Ethernet cables to the RJ-45 ports on the card. If you’re configuring network teaming or link aggregation, plan your switch configuration accordingly.
• Power on the system and boot into your operating system. Install the appropriate drivers from Intel’s official website or your OS driver repository, then configure NIC teaming or virtual networking as needed for your environment.
• Test connectivity with a basic ping test or a file transfer to confirm performance. If using virtualization, configure virtual switches or vNICs and verify that the two 10GBASE-T ports appear as separate adapters for traffic segmentation or teaming.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What speeds does this NIC support?

  A: Each of the two ports supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T). The card offers a theoretical aggregate bandwidth of up to 20 Gbps across both ports, with the PCIe x8 interface delivering up to roughly 4 GB/s of data movement capability. Actual performance depends on cable quality, switch configuration, and system workload.

• Q: What operating systems are supported?

  A: The X540T2 is designed to work with major operating systems, including Windows and Linux, using drivers provided by Intel or your OS vendor. Always verify compatibility with your specific OS version and kernel or driver package before deployment.

• Q: Can I use NIC teaming with this card?

  A: Yes. The two 10GBASE-T ports can be configured in NIC teaming (bonding) modes on supported operating systems and switches. This enables failover protection and improved load balancing across multiple network paths.

• Q: What about virtualization support?

  A: The Intel X540-based NICs are well-suited for virtualization workloads. They support features such as VLAN tagging and offloads that help optimize guest network performance in virtual machines and virtual switches.

• Q: Is there a warranty?

  A: Yes, this card comes with a Lifetime Warranty, underscoring its focus on reliability and long-term service in demanding environments.

• Q: Will this card work in PCIe 3.0 slots?

  A: The X540T2 is designed for PCIe 2.0 x8, but it is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 and newer slots. You will still receive full 10GBASE-T functionality, but the card’s bandwidth is governed by the PCIe 2.0 x8 specification.