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Intel E830 & E610 dual port network adapters

Published on: March 6, 2025 | 5 minute read | by Krisa Cortez

The future of networking just got a massive upgrade. Intel has officially launched its latest E830 and E610 Ethernet controller/network adapters and they have the tech community in a buzz. This was said to be a significant step forward in networking technology as the new products were designed to cater as enterprise network solutions in cloud computing, high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and telecommunications infrastructure. Its main selling point comes from the promise of enhanced performance in terms of speed and security as well as power efficiency. But does it deliver? We’ll take a closer look at this exciting new update from Intel in this article.

Pushing the Limits of High-Speed Networking with the Intel E830 Series

The E830 series is said to be Intel’s next-generation high-speed network adapters. It is seen to gain speeds of up to 200GbE. That’s double the previous E810 series’ 100GbE limit which can be a great thing for larger settings like modern data center networking and AI workloads. The leverage here comes from harnessing PCIe Gen4 technology to deliver superior data transfer speeds at lower latency. Check out its key features below:

Key Features of the Intel E830 Series

  • High Bandwidth Memory:
    Supports speeds from 25GbE up to 200GbE, making it perfect for scaling enterprise network solutions.
  • Advanced Security:
    The series includes Secure Boot and Secure Firmware Upgrade, significantly increasing protection against cyber threats.
  • Precision Timing:
    Features critical time synchronization applications, making it ideal for home telecom and financial services.
  • Flexible Configurations:
    Offers several configuration options that can be adapted according to the networking environment.
  • Enhanced Power Efficiency:
    Provides higher speed efficiency while maintaining energy-conscious performance.
  • Seamless Transition:
    The driver is compatible with previous Intel E810 network interface cards and can be easily integrated into existing infrastructures.

Below is a table to show a comparison of both AI models:

FEATURE Intel E830 (New) Intel E810 (Old)/th> Intel E610 (New)Intel X550 (Old) Intel X550 (Old)
Maximum Speed 200GbE 100GbE 10GbE, 5GbE, 2.5GbE 10GbE
PCIe Version PCIe Gen4 PCIe Gen4 PCIe Gen4 PCIe Gen3
Power Efficiency Optimized for high-speed efficiency Standard power efficiency Up to 50% lower power consumption Higher power consumption
Security & Timing Enhanced security and precision timing Basic security features Improved security Basic security
Port Configurations Various configurations (e.g., dual/quad ports) Limited configurations Single, dual, quad-port options Single and dual-port only
Target Use Cases Data centers, AI, cloud computing Enterprise networking, high-speed workloads Home labs, SMBs, enterprise workstations Small business, basic multi-gig networking

E830 vs. Competitors

The E830 is directly compared to NVIDIA's ConnectX-6 Dx introduced in 2019 and Broadcom’s 400GbE NICs. Intel’s E830 series however stands out with its security features and precision timing capabilities. While it does not yet reach 400GbE speeds like Broadcom, its focus on low power consumption on top of security and AI/telecom-specific enhancements gives it its own competitive edge.

Intel E610 Series: Smarter, More Efficient Multi-Gig Networking

The E610 series is tailored for multi-gigabit networking and is a direct evolution of Intel’s X550 network interface cards. It is deemed the most ideal for use in workstations, enterprise networks, and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). Take a look at its key features below:

Key Features of the Intel E610 Series

  • Improved Power Efficiency:
    This series consumes up to 50% less power, making it a more cost-effective choice for energy-conscious businesses.
  • Security Enhancements:
    It features hardware root of trust and secure firmware updates on top of cryptographic security.
  • Better Port Configurations:
    The series is very flexible for different networking needs, as it is available in single, dual, and quad-port variants.
  • Manageability + Remote Access:
    Naturally incorporates Secure Security Protocol and Data Model (SPDM), Platform Level Data Model (PLDM), Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) pass-through, and NC-SI support. All of this helps the series streamline network operations.

E610 vs. Competitors

The E610’s direct competitors are NVIDIA’s and Broadcom’s network interface cards that cater to ultra-high-speed environments. Intel’s E610 series changes focus however as it concentrates on energy efficiency and affordability. Couple these with ease of deployment and the E610 is a strong choice for organizations transitioning to multi-gig networks. The E610 also reduces power consumption significantly to help businesses lower operating costs compared to older X550 NICs.

  1. Speed & Performance:
    E830 scales up to 200GbE, while E610 provides multi-gig support with lower energy use.
  2. Advanced Robust Security:
    Integrates hardware root of trust and secure firmware updates alongside next-gen encryption.
  3. Improved Efficiency:
    E610 is 50% more power-efficient than its predecessor, while E830 is optimized for high-speed applications.
  4. Precision Timing:
    Ideal for telecom, AI, and cloud applications that require synchronization accurate to specific time schedules.
  5. Enterprise Compatibility:
    These network adapters are backward compatible with older Intel NICs for a seamless upgrade path.

Conclusion: A Worthy Investment for Future-Proof Networking

Intel’s NICs are ready to dominate with both network adapters going above and beyond in representing a significant leap forward in networking technology. They aren’t over-the-top and are rather accessible which is great for addressing the growing need for high-speed and power-efficient solutions while having security and cost-efficiency in mind. The main appeal that we see here is that, while Broadcom and NVIDIA are continuing to push high bandwidth memory limits, Intel’s focus makes it more a darling on security, manageability, and efficiency, making these new NICs a compelling, if not, the top choice for enterprises, cloud providers, and AI-driven data centers.

If you’re looking to upgrade your networking infrastructure, the E830 and E610 series can offer just the right blend where performance matters. Whether it’s for high-speed cloud computing or efficient multi-gig deployments, Intel’s latest Ethernet NICs are reliable and secure at scale.

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