Does 2.5Gbps Get Hot?

SpellowHouse · 2 Jun 2023 at 09:41

I was just looking at a new switch and wondered (mainly through boredom) whether it was worthwhile getting a 2.5g switch. There is no real advantage of using 2.5g for me, but it's fun. One thing, though, is I wouldn't want to go in that direction if it runs a lot hotter and uses a lot more power. I know 10g runs pretty toasty, but I am not sure about 2.5g?

Skilid · 2 Jun 2023 at 09:43

They do run hotter than gigabit switches. There is no way around that. I've been looking at getting one for a while as I could benefit from it, but prices are still too high for me as a hobbyist. I would say that if you will not benefit from it then there isn't much point spending £100+ on a switch when you can get a Gigabit one for £20.

SpellowHouse · 2 Jun 2023 at 09:54

Skilid said:
They do run hotter than gigabit switches. There is no way around that. I've been looking at getting one for a while as I could benefit from it, but prices are still too high for me as a hobbyist. I would say that if you will not benefit from it then there isn't much point spending £100+ on a switch when you can get a Gigabit one for £20.

It's probably a bad time to buy, as well. I see rumours of many more new products where all ports are 2.5g.

Oh, yes, I just read a review for one, the review says it gets hot, which probably means you could cook and egg on it. It's not too bad, but does consume about 3 to 6 times the power of a normal 1gbps switch.

Ayahuasca · 2 Jun 2023 at 09:57

Unless you absolutely need one at the minute which I doubt 99.99% of home users do, I'd just wait for the new range of 2.5g switches tbh.

We probably won't see £20 models anytime soon but with a bit more competition they should drop below £100 eventually.

DataVampire · 2 Jun 2023 at 21:02

SpellowHouse said:
I was just looking at a new switch and wondered (mainly through boredom) whether it was worthwhile getting a 2.5g switch. There is no real advantage of using 2.5g for me, but it's fun. One thing, though, is I wouldn't want to go in that direction if it runs a lot hotter and uses a lot more power. I know 10g runs pretty toasty, but I am not sure about 2.5g?

Mine doesn't run hot.

RSR · 2 Jun 2023 at 21:38

Both my 10Gb and 2.5Gb switches run pretty cool but my setup is not the average home setup.

lmfy2k · 2 Jun 2023 at 21:48

My Zyxel XGS1210-12 switches run pretty hot, work well though. Just need a bit of air flow.

have 1Gb virgin but if you use these super hub 5, it comes with a 2.5gbe port. They over provision the speed and I actually get 1.3Gb speeds. So 30% for free, cant complain.

DataVampire · 2 Jun 2023 at 21:54

Mine is a TRENDnet TEG-S380 8-Port Unmanaged 2.5G. It runs pretty cool. Although it is very fussy on what lan cableks you sue with it

no_1_dave · 2 Jun 2023 at 22:52

Skilid said:
They do run hotter than gigabit switches. There is no way around that. I've been looking at getting one for a while as I could benefit from it, but prices are still too high for me as a hobbyist. I would say that if you will not benefit from it then there isn't much point spending £100+ on a switch when you can get a Gigabit one for £20.

Ayahuasca said:
Unless you absolutely need one at the minute which I doubt 99.99% of home users do, I'd just wait for the new range of 2.5g switches tbh.

We probably won't see £20 models anytime soon but with a bit more competition they should drop below £100 eventually.

The ZYXEL MG-105 is a 5 port 2.5Gb switch and can be had for £69.99 so they are coming down

Meddling-Monk · 3 Jun 2023 at 12:56

It's not quite the same, but have the QNAP QSW-2104-2T, a 4x 2.5g and 2x 10g RJ45 (unmanaged) switch. And got it mounted on the wall with plenty of ventilation around it, it barely warm to the touch.