fast simple question 10/100

[Greatone123]

for gigabit = intel always sure I fallow that...



I have on the other side here tho... a 10/100 network, no need to upgrade would be wasted since it's only for internet no data transfers or big file moves...


does the NIC make a huge difference in that case ?

there will still be quite a bit of in and out traffic, just over the net


I need some new NICs of a few systems, they will never be gigabit networked and buying 5 cheap NICs will be way cheaper then 5 $30 intels.

 

[gimp]

my 2 desktops are using the onboard and hooked up to a 10/100 switch. Transfers between the 2 average probably 8-9MB/s. So about 64-72Mbit/sec. Theoretical max is 12.5MB/sec. Minus overhead, you're looking at around 11MB/sec at most.
Not worth it, if their network will never get upgraded to gigabit, imho.

 

[Greatone123]

That's what I figured, I mean unless the net connection gets a huge upgrade I don't see a point in it. For something like a linux based router or something I would lean towards intel just because it's a major component of the network... but if a group of PCs have Realtek or Marvell NICs I don't see that really effecting the web browsing or any other net oriented connection.

 

[CaseyBlackburn]

It's a very slight thing, but if you are really picky about latency in games you could see a few ms decrease by using a Intel nic that will not offload to your cpu.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

It's a very slight thing, but if you are really picky about latency in games you could see a few ms increase by using a Intel nic that will not offload to your cpu.

I would think a good Intel NIC that will not offload to your CPU would give a few ms DEcrease.

 

[CaseyBlackburn]

I would think a good Intel NIC that will not offload to your CPU would give a few ms DEcrease.

That's what I meant, I was thinking in a weird manner. I was thinking "increase network performance" and "decrease ping times" and they just blended together. Thanks for pointing that out YOS.

 

[GotNoRice]

I need some new NICs of a few systems, they will never be gigabit networked and buying 5 cheap NICs will be way cheaper then 5 $30 intels.

What do you define as cheap anyway? I personally think $30 (the price of a PCIe CT adapter) is pretty cheap.

But then again you could go a lot cheaper and still go Intel. If they aren't doing hardcore data transfer then why not just get PCI NICs? Intel PRO/1000 MT PCI adapters are all over eBay for ~$10.

You say they won't ever be gigabit, but never say never...

Of course if you are serious about never going gigabit then you could always get Pro/100 adapters for even cheaper, like <$5 each probably.

 

[Greatone123]

wow, I wasn't aware they were so cheap... I've never shopped ebay before... I've heard too many mixed things... PCI adapters would be fine, no problem

What should I look for on ebay? anything to help know it's legit?



Can I PCI-X card work in a pci slot? I know the Supermicro SATA cards that are PCI-X can just at a lower bandwidth. Does the same apply to NICs? I see a LOT of cheap dell dual port intel adapters, would be nice to have...