Realtek has unveiled its plans to shake the networking market with new affordable solutions that should make fast 10Gb/s wired connections a more widely available commodity. The brand has showcased three different controllers, targeting consumer motherboards, external USB adapters, and routers/switches.
Traditionally, 10GbE has been confined to servers and high-end workstations, often implemented via expensive Marvell silicon or discrete add-on cards costing well over $80. The brand’s latest entries aim to fix that by offering QFN-packaged 10GbE controllers at just $10 a pop.
Realtek RTL8127
Realtek RTL8127 supports all common Ethernet speeds, starting at 10Mb/s and going all the way up to 10Gb/s. It is meant for motherboards, add-on Ethernet cards, and CPEs, interfaced via a PCIe 4.0 link. The chip is advertised as consuming 1.95W during normal operation, making it suitable for battery- and low-power devices. It also features modern standby, self-loopback diagnostic, and hardware ECC/CRC to ensure a robust and reliable connection.
The RTL8127 is also used as a base for some server and fibre solutions, bringing remote management support and a lower power consumption.
Realtek RTL8159
RTL8159 is a variant of the former, this time targeting USB Ethernet adapters, monitors, and USB docks. To reach its 10Gb/s throughput, the chip is designed to be paired with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 x2 (10Gbps) host interface. It supports CDC-NCM (a USB protocol that allows for Ethernet-over-USB), UEFI PEX (a method for booting computers over the network), Hardware RSS, and MAC Address pass-through.
Realtek RTL8261C
RTL8261C is yet another flavour of RTL8127, built for 5G CPE, PON, WiFi 6/7 routers, switches, and cable modems. Because of that, RTL8261C is further optimised to consume just 1.65W, while being able to interface with USXGMII/SFI (XFI), 5000Base-X, 5000Base-R, 2500Base-X, 1000Base-X, and HiSGMII/SGMII. Due to its interface capabilities, this controller will also be provided in an industrial-grade option called RTL8261CI.
What does this mean for us?
Starting with add-on card solutions, a cheaper controller should translate into lower product prices and a wider brand variety. Instead of paying $100 for an Ethernet adapter card, $50 or perhaps lower will become the norm.
Secondly, ISPs should be more enticed to bundle 10GbE equipment with their fast internet offerings, allowing the user to leverage its full potential while benefiting from a faster local network.
Lastly, motherboard makers will no longer have the excuse of cost, as 2.5GbE LAN is a bit disappointing to see on high-end chipsets such as the Asus ROG Strix Z890-F Gaming and the Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Pro Ice. Currently, if you want faster networking you will likely need to shell out for a flagship option such as the MSI MEG X870E Godlike, or a professional one like the ASRock TRX50 WS. Even $500+ boards avoid making the jump, settling for 5GbE instead. To be clear, for most users 5GbE or even 2.5GbE is plenty fast. The issue arises when expensive motherboards opt for slower connections.
Realtek expects its partners to begin integrating RTL8127 controller on new motherboards in late 2025, with standalone PCIe and M.2 cards arriving later. RTL8159-based routers and switches can be expected within a similar timeframe. Enthusiasts and home office users rocking NAS boxes or local video streaming systems should appreciate this change.
