Performance
Sabrent states this adapter supports WOL (Wake-on-LAN) and PXE boot functionality. OS support can vary by OS, USB4 host, and controller, so readers should check their own setup before purchasing. We used this under Windows 11, and here is a look from a new Panther Lake Dell XPS 14.
We also used this with several M3 and M4 generation Macs we had in the studio.
We tested the Sabrent NT-P10G using our standard iperf3 setup to measure cumulative throughput over USB4.
In this run, the adapter delivered roughly 9Gbps-class cumulative throughput. That is close to what we expect from a working 10GbE adapter once protocol overhead and the test setup are accounted for.
We have reviewed other Marvell AQC113 products before, such as the YuanLey AQC113-X1 PCIe network card. That review showed similar throughput numbers, but the YuanLey is an internal PCIe card while this Sabrent unit is an external USB4 adapter. We also recently looked at the XikeStor SKN-U310GT, which uses a Realtek RTL8159 controller in a USB form factor. For buyers, that distinction can matter because Realtek RTL8159 and Marvell AQC113 adapters may exhibit different driver behavior and OS support.
This unit connected to USB4 was generally in the 3-3.5W range at lower speeds, but we saw it crank to around 4W. This is a fairly reasonable number, but it is also enough that in a passively cooled case, you are going to get heat building up.
Final Words
Sabrent NT-P10G fills a specific niche for users who need 10GbE connectivity on systems without available PCIe slots. Laptops with USB4 or Thunderbolt 3/4 ports can add a 10Gbase-T connection through this external adapter.
At $117, this adapter costs more than internal PCIe NICs like the YuanLey AQC113-X1 we reviewed for under $55. The premium is really for the external USB4 form factor and the convenience of not needing to open a system chassis. For users with USB4 or Thunderbolt 3/4 host systems that cannot accept PCIe cards, this trade-off makes sense.
Where to Buy
Here is an Amazon affiliate link to where we purchased ours.
