Realtek on Computex: Affordable 10-GBE Chip and New SSD Controller 13 comments
Image: Jarmoluk | CC0 1.0
RealTek is showcasing network cards and adapters based on the RTL8127 for COMPUTEX 2025. The new 10 GBE controller supports LAN data rates from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps and is also expected to be found directly on mainboards. There’s also a sign of life for Realtek’s first PCIE 5.0 SSD controller, the RTS5781.
Realtek controller with 10 Gbit Ethernet live
Mainboards with fast 10 Gbit Ethernet have existed before, but so far, not with a chip from the on-board specialist, which is featured in some way on almost every mainboard. Realtek’s maximum so far is 5 GBE; the RTL8127 controller listed on Calculx 2025 is expected to double to 10 GBE.
Packaged in a small 9×9 mm package, which operates on the host side with PCIe 4.0, the RTL8127 should only draw 1.95 watts of power, according to Realtek. This saves a heat sink, reports the Fair.
10-GBE Network Card with Realtek RTL8127 (Image: CNX Software)
The 10 GBE controller is expected to be smaller, more cost-effective, and less expensive than previous solutions such as those in the Aquantia family (now Marvell Aqion). According to the statement, the chip alone costs $10 and network cards based on it cost around $50. The first mainboards with the RTL8127 could be released by the end of the year. Widespread availability is not expected until 2026.
SSD controller with PCIe 5.0 and USB
Realtek also unveiled new SSD controllers. The RTS5781 is a quad-channel controller with PCIe 5.0 X4 and NVME 2.0. It will dispense with a dedicated DRAM cache and is intended to support NAND Flash with an interface speed of up to 3,600 Mbit/s. A maximum of 10,000 MB/s sequential read and write speeds as well as 1.4 million PIOs for reading and writing are promised. It is also expected to have extended power features and support for security standards such as AES 256 and TCG OPAL 2.0.
When SSDs can be expected with the RTS5781 remains unclear at this time. An earlier roadmap had dated the RTS5781 model to the first quarter of 2025. The RTS5782 mentioned a much faster 8-channel controller, but there was no new information.
The RM1220 is intended for external USB SSDs and supports USB 3.2 GEN 2×2 (20 Gbps), a counterpart to the SM2322 from the silicon movement. The RM1220-equipped SSDs should read data at up to 2,100 MB/s and write at 2,000 MB/s. A nice touch is the integrated RGB controller for gaming SSDs, TechPowerUp reported from the show.
Topics: Computex 2025 Mainboards PCIe 5.0 Realtek SSD SSD Controller Storage
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