Which used mini PCs can take a 10GbE network card?
Updated 2026-09-25
No used 1-litre business PC has 10GbE built in. The reliable way to add it is a low-profile PCIe network card, and only a few chassis have a PCIe slot. On the Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny models below, the slot comes from an optional riser card that sits where the 2.5" drive would go, so you give up that bay.
Models with a path beyond 1 GbE
| Model | CPU generations | PCIe | Faster networking |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP Elite Mini 800 G9 | 12th gen (Alder Lake) / 13th gen (Raptor Lake) | None | 2.5GbE via Flex IO port with an Intel I226-V 2.5GbE controller (must be configured at purchase) |
| Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny | 8th gen (Coffee Lake) / 9th gen (Coffee Lake Refresh) | PCIe x8 via riser | 10GbE via Low-profile PCIe network card in the riser slot (riser and bracket bought separately) (owner-reported, not a vendor option) |
| Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q Tiny | 8th gen (Coffee Lake) / 9th gen (Coffee Lake Refresh) | PCIe x8 via riser | 10GbE via Low-profile PCIe network card in the riser slot (riser and bracket bought separately) (owner-reported, not a vendor option) |
| Lenovo ThinkCentre M920x Tiny | 8th gen (Coffee Lake) / 9th gen (Coffee Lake Refresh) | PCIe (dGPU option) | 10GbE via Low-profile PCIe network card in the riser slot (riser and bracket bought separately) (owner-reported, not a vendor option) |
| Lenovo ThinkCentre M90q Gen 1 Tiny | 10th gen (Comet Lake) | PCIe x8 via riser | 10GbE via Low-profile PCIe network card in the riser slot (riser and bracket bought separately) (owner-reported, not a vendor option) |
"Owner-reported" means widely used by owners but not listed as an option by the manufacturer.
What to buy
- The riser and a low-profile bracket. They are model-specific and almost never included with the PC.
- A low-profile card. SFP+ cards (with a DAC cable or fibre module) run noticeably cooler than 10GBASE-T (RJ45) cards, which matters in a case this small with one fan.
- Check card length and height against the space above the riser before you buy.
If your model has no PCIe slot
HP Elite Mini 800 G9 units can be configured from the factory with an Intel I226-V 2.5GbE port in the Flex IO position. For everything else, a USB 3 2.5GbE adapter is the practical option. USB 10GbE adapters exist but cost more than a different mini PC and are rarely worth it for a server.
Show models with PCIe expansion in the finder →