19 or 20 in that picture, but you will have to make sure those slots are accessible. The GPU might block them. Any PCI-X ethernet card will fit in there.

Picture 

Something like a PCI-e Netgear NIC should work.

I'm still running the on-board "Killer Networks e2400 Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45" in my Aurora-R6. 

Why do you think you need something better than the onboard Gigabit one?

Will likely interfere with the graphics cards. You can try, but no guarantee it will work.

The one built into the mobo has been problematic for years due to windows updates ect. It quite often drops connection from 1g to 100mbps for no reason.

I am sure killer networks software does not help and I have Uninstalled and reinstalled many times and same issue pops up from time to time and you cannot force it to negotiate to 1G

Hello and thanks for the reply. 

My gpu Is currently blocking those ports, would I be able to use the bottom port 16 or is that only for another GPU?.

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@Razorss wrote:

1. The one built into the mobo has been problematic for years due to windows updates ect. It quite often drops connection from 1g to 100mbps for no reason.

2. I am sure killer networks software does not help and I have Uninstalled and reinstalled many times and same issue pops up from time to time and you cannot force it to negotiate to 1G

 

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1. Be sure to check your wiring. Mine auto-negotiates to a Gigabit connection fine. And that's even over (a whole house length of) old Cat-5e.

Be sure any WiFi password is "forgotten" at Aurora-R7 (to prevent a concurrent WiFi connection).

2. All that can be uninstalled. Just use the Windows-drivers. Do you need directions?

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@Razorss wrote:

would I be able to use the bottom x16-port or is that only for another GPU?.

 

 

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Yes, you can use it.

In fact, while it's x16-long, it's likely wired as x8.

Thanks for the reply.

I have tried multiple cables and I can confirm the router throughput is sending 1GB wired. It has something to do with the negotiation between computer and router. I have also tried uninstalling the software and used windows drivers ect to no avail. Today for example it yet again dropped to 100mbps from 1G for no reason. I have given up on this built in unit and think I just need to install new. 
From what I have gathered in my research this ethernet card has been problematic for years unfortunately - ie Killer E2500

Here is the full procedure from my notes (to load simple/lean/fast Windows networking drivers):

In Control-Panel / Programs and Features
and/or
Settings / Apps / Apps & Features

Properly uninstall anything related to:
- Intel Killer Performance Suite (Performance Killer)
- Killer Networking (Rivet, xTend, etc.) Killer of Networking
- Dell Optimizer (Network de-Optimizer)
- Express-Connect
- SmartByte

In Control Panel / Device=Manager
- Delete the Wireless-WiFi device
Reboot computer..

On next start, Windows should auto-detect the WiFi mini-card and load appropriate (nice lean/basic/fast) drivers.

Repeat process for Wired Ethernet device.

Test operation. 

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@Razorss wrote:

1. It has something to do with the negotiation between computer and router.

2. used windows drivers ect to no avail.

3. Today for example it yet again dropped to 100mbps from 1G for no reason. I have given up on this built in unit and think I just need to install new. 

4. From what I have gathered in my research this ethernet card has been problematic for years unfortunately - ie Killer E2500

 

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1. I have seen that long ago but it is rare (older computer and ancient router). Don't try "forcing it" ... always leave on Auto-Negotiate.

2. Yes, Uninstall everything Killer, etc. Delete from Device Manager, reboot, Plug-and-Play detect, run nice/lean Windows drivers.

3. Seen that also once (older computer and older router). It was a "Green Ethernet" setting on NIC in control panel. Apparently, they thought "being green" means going-slow

4. Networking is hard. Many people don't know what they are doing, so they blame NIC.

If you want to swap it out:
- Disable your on-board NIC from BIOS,
- Power-down and dissipate flea power
- Install this card and use the drivers that Windows tosses you. TP-Link is a big-company and looks like that NIC uses a popular Realtek chipset.