Expansion Cards
Expansion Cards add extra ports, faster networking, storage lanes, audio quality, and capture features to your PC without a full system upgrade. Since 1988, our UK online shop has helped home users, gamers, creators, and businesses choose the right PCIe cards with clear compatibility advice, fast UK delivery, and easy returns.
- Expansion Cards
Expansion Card – PCIe to 6 Ports 3.0 6Gbps Interface Hub Adapter for Windows//OS X/NAS
Original price was: £38.87.£32.92Current price is: £32.92. *View On Amazon* - Expansion Cards
Bewinner Pcie X16 Expansion Card, M.2 NVMe Controller Expansion Card, Pcie X16 to X8 X4 X4 Split Expansion Card, Support PCIE4.0 Downward Compatible with 3.0
Original price was: £15.50.£15.11Current price is: £15.11. *View On Amazon*
Check your motherboard PCIe slot size and version, pick a card that fits physically and electrically, confirm driver support for Windows 11 or your OS, and make sure you have space, power connectors, and the correct bracket height. Typical picks include USB-C add-in cards, Wi Fi 6E adapters, 2.5G or 10G network cards, SATA or NVMe storage adapters, sound cards, capture cards, and Thunderbolt add-in cards.
Why buy expansion cards from us
Trusted UK retailer since 1988 with expert compatibility support
Curated range for home, gaming, creator, and office builds
Clear notes on PCIe lanes, slot sizes, bracket height, power, and drivers
Fast UK delivery and simple returns with UK-based aftercare
Types of expansion cards
USB 3.2 and USB-C cards for extra high-speed USB and front header support
Wi Fi 6E or Wi Fi 7 and Bluetooth cards for fast wireless and peripherals
2.5G, 5G, and 10G Ethernet NICs for quicker file transfers and NAS work
SATA controllers and RAID cards for more drives and mirror or parity setups
NVMe adapters, including single, dual, or quad M.2 and bifurcation-capable risers
HBAs for SAS if you run many HDDs or enterprise drives
Sound cards and DACs for cleaner audio, mic preamps, and surround outputs
Video capture cards for streaming, cameras, and consoles
Thunderbolt add-in cards where the motherboard header is supported
Legacy I/O cards, such as serial, parallel, or FireWire, for specialist gear
Fan controller cards and RGB hubs for tidy builds with many fans or lights
Expansion cards buying guide
1) Slot size, lanes, and PCIe version
Physical size: x1, x4, x8, x16. Many X1 cards fit longer slots.
Electrical lanes: a card may be x1 electrically even if the connector is x4. Check bandwidth needs.
PCIe version: 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0. Most are backwards compatible at lower speeds.
2) Case clearance and bracket type
Full height or low profile brackets. Many cards include both.
Check length and clearance near the GPU and front drive cages.
3) Power and cables
Some cards need SATA power or a PCIe 6-pin for extra ports.
Storage cards may need SFF 8643 or SFF 8654 breakout cables.
Thunderbolt add-in cards usually require a DP in, a USB 2.0 header, and a board TB header.
4) Drivers and OS support
Confirm Windows 11, Linux, or macOS support where needed.
Prefer cards with WHQL drivers and long-term vendor updates.
5) Storage specifics
NVMe adapters: check motherboard bifurcation support for multiple M.2 cards.
RAID: decide between software RAID, HBA plus ZFS, or hardware RAID with cache and battery or supercap.
6) Networking choices
2.5G is a great value boost over 1G.
10G uses RJ45 or SFP+. Match to your switch and cabling.
Ensure adequate PCIe lanes for full throughput.
7) Wireless choices
Pick Wi Fi 6E or Wi Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.x.
Many use the motherboard M.2 Key E slot rather than a PCIe slot. Check your platform.
Quick picks by use case
| Need | Card type | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| More fast USB ports | USB 3.2 Gen 2 or 2×2 PCIe card | Adds 10 to 20 Gbps ports and USB-C |
| Faster network to NAS | 2.5G or 10G NIC | Quicker backups and file copies |
| Add more SSDs | PCIe to NVMe adapter, single or multi M.2 | High-speed storage without replacing the board |
| Many HDDs | SAS HBA or SATA RAID controller | Reliable expandability and RAID options |
| Better mic and headphones | PCIe sound card with headphone amp | Cleaner audio and inputs |
| Streaming console or camera | HDMI capture card 1080p or 4K | Low-latency capture for OBS |
| Thunderbolt devices | Thunderbolt add-in card with board header | External fast storage and docks |
| Stronger Wi Fi | Wi Fi 6E or Wi Fi 7 PCIe or M.2 card | Higher throughput and lower latency |
Common mistakes to avoid
Choosing the wrong bracket height for a small form factor case
Installing a multi-NVMe card on a board that lacks PCIe bifurcation
Buying 10G SFP+ when your switch only has RJ45, or vice versa
Forgetting aux power for USB or high port count cards
Blocking GPU airflow with a long card in the next slot
Ignoring driver support for your OS and version
Assuming a Thunderbolt card will work without the exact motherboard header
Mixing SMR HDDs under hardware RAID and seeing poor rebuilds
Expecting full speed from a card in a x1 slot that needs x4 bandwidth
Installation and setup tips
Power off, fit the card squarely, and tighten the bracket screw so it sits flat
Connect any required power leads and internal headers
Boot, install the latest drivers, and check Device Manager for errors
For storage cards, set AHCI, NVMe, or RAID modes as needed in BIOS
Update the motherboard BIOS before using the bifurcation or Thunderbolt features
Label cables and document port mapping for future upgrades
Popular sub categories
USB and USB-C PCIe cards
Wi Fi and Bluetooth adapters
2.5G and 10G Ethernet NICs
SATA RAID and SAS HBA cards
NVMe M.2 adapter cards
Sound cards and DAC interfaces
HDMI and SDI capture cards
Thunderbolt add-in cards
Legacy I/O serial, parallel, FireWire
Fan controllers and RGB hubs
FAQs. Expansion cards
1) Will an x1 card work in an x16 slot
Yes. PCIe is mechanically and electrically flexible. The card will run at its own lane count.
2) Do I need PCIe 4.0 for a USB card
No. USB cards rarely saturate PCIe 3.0 x1. Use the best slot you have spare.
3) Can I boot from an NVMe on a PCIe adapter
Many boards support it. Some need a BIOS update or a board with native NVMe boot support.
4) What is PCIe bifurcation
A BIOS feature that splits a slot into multiple x4 links for multiple M.2 adapters. Without it, only one drive may be visible unless the card has a switch chip.
5) Is 2.5G Ethernet worth it over 1G
Yes, for modern NAS and fast local transfers. It works over Cat 5e in many homes and offices.
6) Do Thunderbolt add-in cards work on any board
Only on boards with the correct Thunderbolt header and firmware support. Check your motherboard manual.
7) Will a Wi Fi PCIe card give me Bluetooth
Many combo cards do. Check the specs. You may also need a USB header cable for Bluetooth.
8) Can I add more SATA ports to a mini PC
Possibly with a USB 3.2 to SATA hub externally or a PCIe card if the system has a slot. Space can be the limit.
9) Do capture cards add latency
Good cards are low latency, but there is always some delay. Use a pass-through output for your display where supported.
10) Do I need extra power for a USB-C card
Often yes. Cards with multiple high draw ports usually take SATA power or a 6-pin PCIe lead.
11) Will a low-profile card fit my SFF case
Only if the product includes a low-profile bracket. Swap it before installation.
12) Can I use an NVMe adapter in a PCIe 3.0 slot
Yes. It will run at PCIe 3.0 speeds, which still feel very fast for most tasks.
13) What driver issues should I expect on Windows 11
Most modern chipsets install automatically. For best results, use the vendor driver and keep firmware current.
14) Can I run 10G over my existing cables
10GBASE-T can run over Cat 6 for typical room lengths. Cat 6a is safer for longer runs. SFP+ DAC is an efficient option in racks.
15) What happens if my card is not detected
Reseat it, try another slot, clear CMOS, update BIOS, and test without other add-in cards. Check power leads and brackets are not shorting.
16) Do sound cards really improve audio
They can provide cleaner outputs, better DACs, and stronger headphone amps than onboard audio, especially for recording and streaming.
17) Can I RAID SSDs on a PCIe adapter
Yes, with hardware RAID cards or with software RAID. Multi M.2 adapters plus bifurcation are popular for fast arrays.
18) Does a PCIe 5.0 slot improve a PCIe 3.0 card
No. The card runs at its own standard. Backwards compatibility is a benefit.
19) Are FireWire or serial cards still available
Yes for specialist audio gear and industrial devices. Check driver support for your OS.
20) What warranty do expansion cards include
All cards include a manufacturer’s warranty and our easy UK returns. See each product page for exact cover.
Ready to expand your PC
Explore Expansion Cards for USB, Wi Fi, networking, storage, audio, capture, and Thunderbolt. With compatibility help from a UK retailer trusted since 1988, fast delivery, and simple returns, you can add the features you need without replacing your system.
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