Interface cards

PCIe, RAID, USB, sound and serial cards for desktop PCs, workstations and industrial applications

In this category you will find interface cards for PCs, servers and industrial applications – from hard drive and RAID controllers, FireWire, PCI/PCI-Express, serial RS-232/-422/-485 cards, industrial modules and parallel LPT adapters to sound cards, USB interfaces and dedicated graphics cards. The range includes proven brands such as StarTech.com, Delock, Moxa, ASUS, Creative, Sonnet and Adaptec and is aimed at IT professionals, system integrators, industrial users and ambitious hobbyists in Switzerland who want to specifically expand or upgrade their computer.

Interface cards for every requirement – from PCIe to RS-232

Whether you want to retrofit an older computer with additional USB ports, set up a RAID array for greater data security or equip an industrial control system with serial interfaces: here you will find suitable expansion cards for a wide variety of application areas. The range covers both standard PCIe cards for modern desktop PCs and specialized industrial modules for demanding environments – with fast delivery throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Expansion cards by connection type

For current computers, PCI-Express cards with x1, x4, x8 or x16 connectivity are the first choice and offer high bandwidths for USB 3.2, NVMe adapters or graphics cards. Older systems with classic PCI slots can still be used effectively with parallel LPT or serial legacy cards. FireWire cards are particularly popular with audio and video professionals who rely on existing FireWire peripherals. Special industrial modules score with galvanic isolation and extended temperature ranges for use in harsh environments.

RAID controllers & storage solutions

For greater data security and performance in servers, NAS systems and workstations, hardware RAID controllers from LSI/Broadcom and Adaptec offer reliable solutions. They support common RAID levels and feature dedicated cache memory, optionally with battery backup units for additional protection during power outages. Simpler SATA expansion cards for home use are also available when additional hard drive connections are needed.

Categories

Hard Drive/RAID Controllers LSI MegaRAID 9361-8i · Adaptec RAID 8805 FireWire StarTech.com 3-Port FireWire 800 PCIe · Delock FireWire PCI-Express 3-Port Industrial Modules Moxa CP-118EL-A · Advantech PCI-1612B PCI/PCI-Express Delock PCI Express x4 to M.2 NVMe · ASUS Hyper M.2 X16 Parallel LPT StarTech.com 1-Port Parallel PCIe Card · Delock PCI Parallel Adapter Interface Card Accessories StarTech.com Low-Profile Bracket · Delock Slot Bracket for Serial Cards Serial RS-232/-422/-485 StarTech.com 2-Port RS-232 PCIe · Moxa CP-132EL Sound Cards Creative Sound Blaster AE-9 · ASUS Xonar SE USB Interfaces Sonnet Allegro Pro USB 3.2 PCIe · StarTech.com 4-Port USB 3.0 PCIe Graphics Cards ASUS GeForce RTX 4060 Dual · Sapphire Radeon RX 7600 Pulse

Category Overview

Subcategory	Example Products
Hard Drive/RAID Controllers	LSI MegaRAID 9361-8i, Adaptec RAID 8805
FireWire	StarTech.com 3-Port FireWire 800 PCIe, Delock FireWire PCI-Express 3-Port
Industrial Modules	Moxa CP-118EL-A, Advantech PCI-1612B
PCI/PCI-Express	Delock PCI Express x4 to M.2 NVMe, ASUS Hyper M.2 X16
Parallel LPT	StarTech.com 1-Port Parallel PCIe Card, Delock PCI Parallel Adapter
Interface Card Accessories	StarTech.com Low-Profile Bracket, Delock Slot Bracket for Serial Cards
Serial RS-232/-422/-485	StarTech.com 2-Port RS-232 PCIe, Moxa CP-132EL
Sound Cards	Creative Sound Blaster AE-9, ASUS Xonar SE
USB Interfaces	Sonnet Allegro Pro USB 3.2 PCIe, StarTech.com 4-Port USB 3.0 PCIe
Graphics Cards	ASUS GeForce RTX 4060 Dual, Sapphire Radeon RX 7600 Pulse

Top Brands

StarTech.com Delock Moxa ASUS Creative Sonnet Adaptec Broadcom

Brand Comparison

Brand	Known for	Ideal for	Price Range
StarTech.com	Adapter cards & interface solutions	PC retrofitting, IT professionals	Entry – Mid
Delock	Expansion cards & converters	System integrators, hobbyists	Entry – Mid
Moxa	Industrial communication	Automation & harsh environments	Mid – Premium
ASUS	Motherboards, sound & graphics cards	Gamers, multimedia enthusiasts	Mid – Premium
Creative	Sound cards & audio solutions	Gamers & audio enthusiasts	Mid – Premium
Sonnet	High-speed USB & Thunderbolt cards	Creative professionals & Mac/PC users	Mid – Premium
Adaptec	RAID controllers & storage solutions	Server & NAS operators	Mid – Premium
Broadcom	LSI RAID controllers, SAS/SATA HBAs	Enterprise storage & data centers	Premium

Who is this category for?

The category is ideal for IT professionals, system integrators and technology enthusiasts in Switzerland who want to specifically expand desktop PCs, workstations or server systems with additional interfaces. Industrial users from automation technology, audio and video professionals with FireWire equipment, and anyone who wants to upgrade their computer with a dedicated sound or graphics card will also find a carefully selected range of suitable components here.

Quality, Safety & Product Selection

When purchasing interface cards, it is worth paying attention to compatibility with the existing motherboard, the appropriate form factor (standard or low-profile), current driver support for the operating system used, and recognized quality features such as CE marking and RoHS compliance. For industrial modules in particular, galvanic isolation and an extended temperature range are important safety and longevity characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which interface card fits into a modern PC with PCI-Express?▾

Modern PCs predominantly use PCI-Express slots (PCIe). Interface cards with PCIe x1, x4, x8 or x16 are therefore ideal. Before purchasing, check which PCIe slots are free on the motherboard and which form factor (low-profile or standard) is required.

What is the difference between PCI and PCI-Express for interface cards?▾

PCI is the older, parallel bus standard, while PCI-Express (PCIe) offers a serial point-to-point connection with significantly higher bandwidth. PCIe cards are backward compatible with newer PCIe generations, but PCI cards do not fit into PCIe slots and vice versa.

Which sound card is suitable for gaming and which for music production?▾

For gaming, sound cards with virtual surround sound and low latency such as the Creative Sound Blaster series are ideal. For music production and audio recording, cards with high-quality DACs, balanced inputs and ASIO support are suitable, for example from ASUS or specialized brands like RME.

Which RAID controller card is recommended for a NAS or server?▾

For NAS and server setups, hardware RAID controllers from LSI/Broadcom or Adaptec that support RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6 and 10 are suitable. Important features include dedicated cache memory, a BBU option (Battery Backup Unit) and compatible connectors such as SAS or SATA.

Are USB interface cards backward compatible with older USB devices?▾

Yes, USB interface cards with USB 3.2 or USB 3.0 are generally backward compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 devices. The transfer speed is limited to the maximum of the slower device. It is advisable to look for current chipsets and stable drivers.

Which serial interface card (RS-232/422/485) is suitable for industrial applications?▾

For industrial applications, serial cards with galvanic isolation, extended temperature range and robust drivers are recommended. Brands like Moxa and Advantech offer modules with RS-232, RS-422 and RS-485 interfaces specifically developed for industrial use.

Do I need special accessories or cables to install an interface card?▾

In addition to the card itself, low-profile brackets for compact cases, suitable connection cables (e.g. SATA, SAS or serial cables) and possibly driver CDs or downloads may be required. For RAID controllers, SAS-to-SATA breakout cables are a typical accessory.

Can I operate multiple interface cards simultaneously in the same PC?▾

Yes, as long as the motherboard has enough free PCIe slots and the power supply provides sufficient power and suitable connectors, multiple interface cards can be operated in parallel. Possible IRQ conflicts should be considered, although these rarely occur in modern systems.