GoKawiilFramework's 10G Ethernet module exposes USB-C's complexity
I've been following WisdPi's development of various 5 Gbps and 10 Gbps Ethernet adapters for the past couple years.
They use newer Realtek Ethernet chips, which sometimes have performance quirks—most frequently encountered under Linux.
In today's video, I tested the new WisdPi 10G Ethernet Expansion Card for Framework computers. It fits in any available Framework Expansion slot—even on the Framework Desktop.
But Expansion Cards use USB-C for their connection to the mainboard—and therein lies the rub...
The main problem is USB-C's bandwidth complexity—especially when paired with the Realtek RTL8159 Ethernet controller, which requires USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) to get the full rated 10 Gbps speeds.
On many Framework laptops, you'll wind up getting considerably less than 10 Gbps (9.4 Gbps real-world max):
The above image shows the average bandwidth I get on Windows 11 on a Framework 13 with AMD's Ryzen AI 5 340. Linux fares slightly worse on that laptop, but it surprised me because Framework's own port documentation for my laptop says it should support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2—at least on ports 1 and 3!
The RTL8159 is bottlenecked on a many USB4 and all USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 connections. Unfortunately, that caps the bandwidth well under 8 Gbps.
I tested on my Framework 12—with a slower Intel 13th Gen mobile CPU—and I found it does support USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 speeds as documented, and I should get closer to 10 Gbps.
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