Connectx-3 Alternatives

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gdi2k

New Member
Apr 14, 2016
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We've been buying reasonably priced Mellanox Connectx-3 SFP+ 10Gbe NICs over the past couple of years, usually for around $17 to $20 on ebay (US). These days however, all these cards are priced at around $40. :(

Any recommendations for good alternatives? I've seen some dual-port SolarFlare NICs around the $20 mark, but I worry about cooling as these will be installed in relatively low airflow flow enclosures (not server grade cooling, but airconditioned spaces).

We need around 100 of them so a saving of $20 would make a difference.

Would very much prefer PCIe 3 cards.
 

gdi2k

New Member
Apr 14, 2016
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Yes ;)

We may spring for the Connectx-3s in the end just because that's what we know and we've not had any bad experiences with them, but $2000 is $2000, so I thought I'd at least check. SolarFlare has a good reputation on here from what I can tell.
 

bbqdt

Member
Sep 15, 2019
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buy the 40gbe hp ones for like 10$, cross-flash, buy qsfp to sfp adapters, might end up being about the same price though.
 

zack$

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2018
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The Intel 82599EN chip is solid. Got one last month for $15.
 

nickf1227

Active Member
Sep 23, 2015
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For those of you keeping track at home, the above Supermicro/Intel NIC is based on the older 82599EN chip, as Zack points out. This is, however, a PCI-E 2.0 card: Intel® 82599EN 10 Gigabit Ethernet Controller Product Specifications

It is also a 25x25mm package on 65nm, this thing will get pretty hot. ARC doesn't list the power usage for the chip itsel, but I would imagine you would probably want active cooling if it is not in a server chassis.

For reference, the Intel X540T1 uses about 10 watts of heat, and uses a newer controller.
1593839134509.png

That controller is a 25x25 package on 40nm and is PCI-E 2.1. Intel® Ethernet Controller X540-AT2 Product Specifications

I would guestimate that the 82599EN single port card is somewhere between the 10.8 and 17.4 watt of its younger brother's single and dual port configuration.
 

RTM

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2014
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Of course the "problem" with the X540 based cards is that they are all 10G base-t, which generally means greater power consumption than the X520 based SFP+ cards. Some of the X540 based cards even come with fans.
 

gdi2k

New Member
Apr 14, 2016
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Thanks for the all the suggestions and feedback. In the end we bit the bullet and just went with the Connectx-3. The ones that cost much less are all PCIe 2, or have other limitations that aren't worth the compromise. We can get the Connectx-3 at $36 each, which is a fair price I suppose.
 
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unmesh

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Apr 17, 2017
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Currently running a gigabit network and would like to dip my toes in the 10Gb waters with a direct desktop to server connection. With a pair of ConnectX-3 NICs, is it cheaper to run a DAC cable vs two SFP+ modules and fiber?

Or should I opt for a 10G-BaseT solution?

Thanks