Suggestions For PCIe 2 x4 Intel Quad Port NIC For pfSense

BfA said:

I'm putting together a pfSense box and unfortunately only have a PCIe 2 x4 slot available for the NIC. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for ones that would be good? I'm wanting an Intel one since those are the most compatible with pfSense.

I found this one but am unsure if it would work on PCIe2x4 as it just says PCIe, I like it as I'd rather get a refurbished / used NIC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4GH2558758

This is a new one that I'm also not sure if it would work:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106050


Note: I have 2 x PCI slots if two dual NICs on those would be easier?

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cyclone3d said:

The first one you linked to is only PCIe 1.0a per Intel:
http://www.intel.com/content/dam/doc/product-brief/pro-1000-pt-quad-port-lp-server-adapter-brief.pdf

Here is one that is PCIe 2.0 - $85 shipped - same card as the second one you linked to.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-E1G44HT-Server-Adapter-I340-T4-4-ports-Gigabit-Ethernet-PCI-E-2-0-4x-RJ45-/301786012995?hash=item4643d91d43:g:F7YAAOSwAYtWNq4d

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BfA said:

Thanks for the info everyone. I've inquired about that second card to purchase. Which slot on my board would be the PCIe2 x4? I'm guessing the last one would operate in x4 mode? Would putting an x4 card into an x16 slot still work?

The Asus website says this about my board "3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (at x16/x16/x4 mode) "

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cyclone3d said:

Yep, that will do it. The white x16 slot is x4 electrically.

You can stick a x1, x4, x8, or x16 card in any x16 slot. If the card or slot is not x16, it will drop down to the appropriate speed.

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BfA said:

Thanks, good to know. Haven't had to worry about hardware in a while.

Unfortunately, the link from above on eBay only has shipping to the US and I'm not able to contact the user so I can't buy it. Do you think this one is OK? I can't find any cheaper ones shipping from the US. I don't really trust the ones from China.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-I340-...t-Quad-Port-Adapter-PCI-Express-/252052933834

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BfA said:

Does anyone have any experience ordering from China? I've heard they sell a lot of fake items, but this one is half the price of the other one with free shipping. Not sure if it's worth it if it might be fake. I'm not sure if there's anyway to tell.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Intel-I...t-Ethernet-Server-Adapter-PCI-E-/251677814825

Edit: It's interesting going into that sellers history. Most of their feedback was from private sales or sales under $10.

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BfA said:

Does anyone have any experience ordering from China? I've heard they sell a lot of fake items, but this one is half the price of the other one with free shipping. Not sure if it's worth it if it might be fake. I'm not sure if there's anyway to tell.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Intel-I...t-Ethernet-Server-Adapter-PCI-E-/251677814825

Edit: It's interesting going into that sellers history. Most of their feedback was from private sales or sales under $10.

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techtips said:

that's interesting.

I've also been looking for a quad NIC.

came across this one also.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel82580-...123630?hash=item3aa1e32eee:g:KkQAAOSwxYxUr3MT

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cantalup said:

NO!!!

that card is not good as Genuine OEM Intel

the card is a not goood!!!!





not good card aka identical card from posted by bfa....
get from USED or newly used Genuine OEM i340/350 card

sth has a thread that discuse non Gen OEM... that mostly died within months where running 24/7.

if you need a link, let me know!

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