Akasa Launches Low Profile 2.5 Gbps PCIe Network Card

[TheLostSwede]

With 2.5 Gbps Ethernet gaining popularity, we're seeing more and more companies launching 2.5 Gbps products and Akasa is the latest to join the fray. Although there's nothing really unique about this 2.5 Gbps card, it is the lowest profile card we've seen so far, which might make it suitable for certain builds where a regular card wouldn't fit.

The awkwardly named AK-PCCE25-01 features a Realtek Ethernet controller, although we can't quite make out which one, but it's one of the RTL8125 variants. The card comes with a full-height and half-height bracket and drivers for Windows 7 through 10, as well as Linux are provided. Retail pricing seems to be around US$31.95/£27.98/€29.90, which is in line with the competition, or somewhat cheaper.



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[bonehead123]

Nice card at a nice price, if only we had (normal home/consumer) internet service & modems capable of actually feeding it a 2.5Gbps signal, that would be great

 

[Jermelescu]

Nice card at a nice price, if only we had (normal home/consumer) internet service & modems capable of actually feeding it a 2.5Gbps signal, that would be great

Starting this December, we're gonna have 10Gbps connections in Romania for 9E/month.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Starting this December, we're gonna have 10Gbps connections in Romania for 9E/month.

How much extra is it if you want to access the rest of the internet?

 

[Valantar]

Oh, that's a nice price point. I paid nearly 2x that for the Realtek-based card I put in my NAS a couple of months ago, but then distribution of existing cards here in Sweden is pretty bad. Great to see more options though, and cheaper is great!

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Starting this December, we're gonna have 10Gbps connections in Romania for 9E/month.

Meanwhile, here in the UK a 500mb/s connection costs 52E for 18months - But in my area, the fastest speeds that it can handle seem to be 80-90mb/s which costs about 32E. But prices are always up and down with each ISP running promotions.

 

[Chomiq]

Meanwhile, here in the UK a 500mb/s connection costs 52E for 18months - But in my area, the fastest speeds that it can handle seem to be 80-90mb/s which costs about 32E. But prices are always up and down with each ISP running promotions.

€12 on my end for effectively 600mb/s connection. Time to move to Eastern Europe.

 

[Chaitanya]

Meanwhile, here in the UK a 500mb/s connection costs 52E for 18months - But in my area, the fastest speeds that it can handle seem to be 80-90mb/s which costs about 32E. But prices are always up and down with each ISP running promotions.

I am paying 9E for 100Mbps connection, and its 17E for 300Mbps on my ISP.

 

[eidairaman1]

Better than any atheros controller that loves to dump its driver suddenly

 

[TheLostSwede]

Better than any atheros controller that loves to dump its driver suddenly

I guess you should be happy that they are no more then. Although in fairness, they're part of Qualcomm now, but I don't think they make network chips for add-in any more.

 

[eidairaman1]

I guess you should be happy that they are no more then. Although in fairness, they're part of Qualcomm now, but I don't think they make network chips for add-in any more.

Hopefly qualcomm wasn't infected by them

 

[Jism]

How much extra is it if you want to access the rest of the internet?

Proberly based on FUP only. And when the line is busy you wont be getting the full advertised speed.

I'm in Portugal and i was suprised to catch 1000/200 for barely 40 euro a month.

And it works. However peering through other country's comes with a cap.

 

[Ferrum Master]

You can find on Aliexpress also RTL8125B 2.5GBe cards.

It may be a rare one from me, but those are better built, with more expensive part base. ~25$

 

[TheLostSwede]

You can find on Aliexpress also RTL8125B 2.5GBe cards.

It may be a rare one from me, but those are better built, with more expensive part base. ~25$

View attachment 220197

And come with zero guarantee and zero warranty...
At least Akasa is a company that stands behind its products.
FYI I've known some people there for what I guess it over 20 years now, so it's not a company that's likely to leave you high and dry when you've got a problem.

 

[Xajel]

Meanwhile, here in the UK a 500mb/s connection costs 52E for 18months - But in my area, the fastest speeds that it can handle seem to be 80-90mb/s which costs about 32E. But prices are always up and down with each ISP running promotions.

That's good, a 500mbps connection here in Bahrain cost 96 Euro, a 1Gbps connection cost 300 Euro.

I have a 100mbps @ 55 Euro, but because I took it with a special offer, I only pay 34.4 Euro.

My Motherboard already have 2.5Gbps, and the server I'm planning to build also have 2.5Gbps (same motherboard).

The next step is with more switches options, I know there are some now but there's not enough options, and the price is still on the high side.

 

[Ferrum Master]

And come with zero guarantee and zero warranty...
At least Akasa is a company that stands behind its products.
FYI I've known some people there for what I guess it over 20 years now, so it's not a company that's likely to leave you high and dry when you've got a problem.

Look at the AKASA card... it basically is made in the same shed, cheap as possible. I can't send any praises for Akasa choosing such product in their offering actually.

Warranty wise, have did you ever had a NIC fail on you except blown out due to lightening?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Look at the AKASA card... it basically is made in the same shed, cheap as possible. I can't send any praises for Akasa choosing such product in their offering actually.

Warranty wise, have did you ever had a NIC fail on you except blown out due to lightening?

Wow, dude...

First of all, Akasa is a well know, long established brand, unlike whatever it is you found on aliexpress. That might not make a difference to you, but it does to a lot of people, as they can contact someone IF there is an issue. How would you return a DOA? I doubt you could if you buy the card you posted a picture of.
They're clearly not the same card and saying that these things are made in a shed is just...
Even cheaply made PRC electronics aren't made in a shed, as you actually need a clean room factory to make electronics, but I guess you knew that and just want to post something stupid.
You're obviously free to buy whatever you want, from whomever you want, but I tend to stick with real companies rather than some random aliexpress or ebay seller, as you might not even get what you're paying for.
Plenty of cards from dodgy brands like ULANSeN, Cudy, EDUP and Tenext for example on Amazon and I wouldn't buy their products either.

 

[eidairaman1]

And come with zero guarantee and zero warranty...
At least Akasa is a company that stands behind its products.
FYI I've known some people there for what I guess it over 20 years now, so it's not a company that's likely to leave you high and dry when you've got a problem.

Yup i dont trust Ali Express nor newegg, I am cautious on ebay and amazon...

 

[Ferrum Master]

You're obviously free to buy whatever you want, from whomever you want, but I tend to stick with real companies rather than some random aliexpress or ebay seller, as you might not even get what you're paying for.

Did you invest in them? Since when they are long experienced networking equipment makers? They are in the same bag as all Amazon, Newegg, eBay, AliExpress cards. Just look at the PCB and soldering quality, components have bent pints, almost didn't land in place, they could have at least cleaned some glue dirt stains from the RJ45 connector for product photography. The board itself is cheapest FR4 from a shed.

Look at their site how the board looks like. Don't embarrass yourself.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Did you invest in them? Since when they are long experienced networking equipment makers? They are in the same bag as all Amazon, Newegg, eBay, AliExpress cards. Just look at the PCB and soldering quality, components have bent pints, almost didn't land in place, they could have at least cleaned some glue dirt stains from the RJ45 connector for product photography. The board itself is cheapest FR4 from a shed.

Look at their site how the board looks like. Don't embarrass yourself.

View attachment 220249

Wow, you clearly have some issues over this, just because I don't agree with you.

No, I did not invest in them, but as I said, it's a well known company, they stand behind their products and offer actual warranties, which is more than you can say about any kind of random stuff you order from the PRC online.
I never said their product is better, but it's NOT the same card. You should put on your glasses before making unsubstantiated claims.
For starters, the one you put up a picture of doesn't use the same type of crystal and there's no space for the missing diodes (on the Akasa card) below the power regulation on that card. I guess you also missed the rather large yellow capacitor by the connector on the card you posted a picture of, which is again not present and couldn't be present on the Akasa card.
Also, I have no idea what you're trying to show with those arrows.
And the white stuff isn't glue stains...

I really feel sorry for you if the best thing you have to do today, is attack a company that has been around since 1997 and compare them to a random PRC company that you don't even know the name of.
You might not be familiar with them, but that also give you even less of a right to trash them.

Also, I never said this was the greatest product ever made, as you seemingly are trying to imply, it's a network card.

For your own good, take a chill pill, as you're the one embarrassing yourself here.

 

[Ferrum Master]

For your own good, take a chill pill, as you're the one embarrassing yourself here.

I don't know from where your affection comes into defending a product that obviously has no difference from lowest offerings from anywhere, even more showing how "quality" their offering is in their own site listing.

If that's not an embarrassment, then what else it is?

 

[R-T-B]

I don't know from where your affection comes into defending a product that obviously has no difference from lowest offerings

The only difference he is arguing is the warranty, from an innocent bystander over here.

And it's not hard to beat a random aliexpress product warranty, so I buy it.

 

[timta2]

And come with zero guarantee and zero warranty...
At least Akasa is a company that stands behind its products.
FYI I've known some people there for what I guess it over 20 years now, so it's not a company that's likely to leave you high and dry when you've got a problem.

I don't know about you, but I can't imagine trying to get warranty support on a $25 (or $32) item. By the time I get the RMA, pack it up and then drive to the post office to mail it, I would have probably been better off just buying another $25 (or $32) card, considering all of the costs and time associated with that.

I used to handle electronics RMAs and repairs professionally and it's often just not worth it.