I’m about to pull the plug on a newly announced Unraid/45Drives X15 server (if they actually get produced 🤞) and since the new server comes with a Intel X550 - Dual 10G nic I plan to upgrade my network connection. I use a MikroTik CSS326-24G-2S+ switch which has 2 SFP+ ports so all I need is the transceiver to plugin to the switch. I see this one is highly recommended on Reddit-

https://a.co/d/03j3FK63

Wanted to post here and get some recommendations from other Unraid users as well.

Note: I know they all get hot and with spinning drives I’ll never achieve 10G speeds but I’m hoping to improve network performance with multiple in/out connections.

Why not grab an x710-da2 and run DAC instead? Unless it's a cable run problem that's the smarter way to go (and cheaper). Lower power, run cooler...

I have two because I've failed every fiber run attempt to two locations... but unifi sfp+ 1/2.5/5/10gbe adapters for my unifi switch. You just need modules compatible with your microtik.

The X15 comes with an Intel x550-T2 dual port card so wouldn’t really be cheaper to buy another one and I don’t really want to use my pcie x8 slot for this. I just need a transceiver for the MikroTik switch.

I've got a few sets of rj45/transceivers from fs.com which I've been happy with, there's a few different specs available, including coding for your NIC and switch (if it happens to be one that has compatibility issues).

i would prefer SFP+ because less powerdraw, cooler and reliable.

If possible, change the nic(s).

I use two open SFP+ cards with a laser link AOC OM3 cable and all is running smooth.

The cards at my signature have an additional advantage: PCIe x4 and not x8.

Edited April 21Apr 21 by Zonediver

The adapters are as much or more than an ebay card, each. Unless you saturate both ports x4 is fine. I run mine in an x4. Still the latency and efficiency advantages and only iperf can even max it out because drive speed is the wall.

17 minutes ago, _cjd_ said:

The adapters are as much or more than an ebay card, each. Unless you saturate both ports x4 is fine. I run mine in an x4. Still the latency and efficiency advantages and only iperf can even max it out because drive speed is the wall.

Sorry, I’m not understanding “eBay card”???

So even though the specs say x8 I can run this card in an x4 slot?

Will only be using one port.

One port definitely is good on an x4. "eBay card" I mean a server pull, $30-50usd for x710-da2 used. As long as the slot itself is "open" at the back to fit the larger card (or an x8 or 16 slot only filled to x4), it'll run just fine on x4. Obviously you could also do one of the Mellanox cards and single port are available in x4 size (I have those too, single and double port, but the power efficiency is better on the x710 if you chase that). Even at roughly the same cost I'd go an SFP+ card and DAC over the SFP rj45 adapters.

Will both ports work in an x4 slot? Or does that kill one port?

Both ports work with an x8 card in an x4 slot

I have a couple of these.

https://a.co/d/0a8mlP1s

Have used them in Mikrotik crs312, Intel 520 and 710 nice and a few no brand switches.

SFP+ RJ-45 Modules are getting too hot for me when running at higher speed rates.

This is nothing stable or lasting long, especially if you are using more than one within a switch and packed close to each other.

The original Microtik module got up to 90°C, you could burn your fingers with them.

Much better are switches with builtin 10G RJ45 ports (and some SFP+ ports to transfer to fiber).

They are getting cheap already, use internal cooling and consume much less power.

For instance I use a Sodola SL-SWTGW2C48NS (4*Rj45@10G + 8*SFP+), it is perfect for a media converter (I only need 2*RJ45@10G for now, all other devices here are on fiber)

@_cjd_

Finally got my new X15 and looking at the x4 slot I’m not sure if it’s open-ended or not (Google insists that it is and the x710-da2 will work). Looks like a little piece of white plastic at the back of the slot.

I know this pics not the greatest.

3 hours ago, wgstarks said:

@_cjd_

Finally got my new X15 and looking at the x4 slot I’m not sure if it’s open-ended or not (Google insists that it is and the x710-da2 will work). Looks like a little piece of white plastic at the back of the slot.

I know this pics not the greatest.

I can't be sure, but if you compare the left side of the slot to the right there's a clear difference (left side is closed for sure), it sure looks like it's open ended. You can see the same white on the left side, and I'm pretty sure that's silkscreen on the board itself.

8 minutes ago, _cjd_ said:

I can't be sure, but if you compare the left side of the slot to the right there's a clear difference (left side is closed for sure), it sure looks like it's open ended. You can see the same white on the left side, and I'm pretty sure that's silkscreen on the board itself.

Here’s another shot better pic but it’s still hard to tell since there’s a board in the slot.

28 minutes ago, _cjd_ said:

I can't be sure, but if you compare the left side of the slot to the right there's a clear difference (left side is closed for sure), it sure looks like it's open ended. You can see the same white on the left side, and I'm pretty sure that's silkscreen on the board itself.

Found a listing for the MB on eBay with better pics.

Definitely looks open to me. I think you’re right about the silkscreen.

Thanks for your help.

Edited May 25May 25 by wgstarks

The pic with the card in the slot you can clearly see it's silkscreen and solder pads. I don't have the board so can't say 100%, but reasonable confidence.

On 4/20/2026 at 8:47 PM, wgstarks said:

I use a MikroTik CSS326-24G-2S+

I use same switch, I insert one 10G and one 2.5G converter to it, both work well for year, those are new gen chips solution and running cool ( feeling won't over 50c, 2.5G one just slightly warm )

BTW, all info. are dead hard, it won't change and meaningless.

SFP may not support different speed rate, as result WOL won't work if not support 10/100 rate, You need test yourself.

3 hours ago, wgstarks said:

Definitely looks open to me.

Agree.

Edited May 26May 26 by Vr2Io

26 minutes ago, Vr2Io said:

SFP may not support different speed rate, as result WOL won't work if not support 10/100 rate, You need test yourself.

Thanks. I don’t use WOL anyway so not an issue.

On 4/20/2026 at 10:57 PM, _cjd_ said:

Why not grab an x710-da2 and run DAC instead? Unless it's a cable run problem that's the smarter way to go (and cheaper). Lower power, run cooler...

I have two because I've failed every fiber run attempt to two locations... but unifi sfp+ 1/2.5/5/10gbe adapters for my unifi switch. You just need modules compatible with your microtik.

I've ordered the x710-da2 and will be replacing the current ethernet card with it once it arrives. Wondering if there are any changes I'll need to make in unraid network settings or any drivers that need to be installed for the da2?

It should just work as far as detection. Network setup changes will depend on a few things, but I'd recommend screenshots or otherwise documenting everything on network, as well as docker assignments and VMs.