StarTech.com 8-Port PCI Express RS232 Serial Adapter Card, PCIe RS232 Serial Card, 16C1050 UART, Low Profile Serial DB9 Controller/Expansion Card, 15kV ESD Protection, Windows Only - TAA

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

If you’ve got a Windows machine that needs *real* RS-232 (not USB-to-serial “good enough” stuff), this StarTech PCIe card is a solid, workmanlike choice. For lab gear, industrial controllers, ticketing/label systems, old PLC/terminal adapters—anything that insists on DB9 serial, this sort of card is exactly what you buy. The low-profile/DB9 form factor also matters in the real world: it’s easy to drop into standard SFF or thin chassis without bodging cables or sacrificing slots. At £160 ex-VAT for eight ports, it’s priced fairly for a “proper” serial expansion rather than cheap mixed-adapter clutter.

Why you might *not* buy it: if you’re trying to solve a general “we just need a serial port” problem, there are usually cheaper USB serial dongles that are quicker to deploy and less hassle to troubleshoot. Also, if you’re in a mixed environment (VMs, Linux, or anything beyond straightforward Windows installs), this being Windows-only can be a blocker. Bottom line: buy it if you’re firmly in Windows and you need multiple stable RS-232 ports inside a PC for business/industrial equipment. Skip it if your use case can be handled with fewer ports or with USB, because you’ll pay for the “proper expansion card” whether you need all eight ports or not.