10GbE Intel 1700 Motherboards

[Beardown27]

Hi everyone,

After 5 years with a Dell R510, I'm ready to move on due to high power bills. I'm looking for a setup that includes a modern Intel i3/i5 processor and a 10Gb LAN port.

 

I'm considering two options:

1. Buying a motherboard with an integrated 10Gb LAN port, which costs around $340.
2. Opting for a regular motherboard priced at about $140 and adding a separate 10Gb NIC for an additional $50.

 

I've read that some NICs can cause compatibility issues with motherboards, potentially affecting power-saving states like lower C states.

 

I'd appreciate any insights or recommendations on whether to go for an integrated solution or a separate NIC, especially in terms of power efficiency and compatibility.

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

[_cjd_]

By far the most efficient is if you can direct connect (copper or fiber DAC in SFP+ slot). For that, Intel x710. I vaguely recall some have had good power efficiency luck with connect-x4 but unsure. Best info I've found is in the powertop thread.