Any professional reviews to compare NICs?

Paintface · Apr 7, 2009, 06:31 PM

So for years ive been building NICs into top tier gaming systems, ive been using 3COM for a long time but they dont seem to produce retail grade nics anymore, the intel ones seem to be the current top tier.

So a few years ago it was a no brainer getting a nic for 20-30bucks to replace the onboard, but is this still the case? i was wondering if there was good reviews that compare intel/3com based Nics compared to the current realtek onboard solutions, as well as the realtek based nic cards. be it in a network envirement or connected through a cable modem to the internet.

thanks!

sneekypeet · Apr 7, 2009, 06:48 PM

In my opinion I say try the onboard (its free with purchase...lol). If you find it isnt up to par with a card, then look to add one. I havent had a NIC in any of my PC's since a pre-built ME machine.

Dont know if there is any speed difference these days, the components that run are a ton more capable of taking the load than the single core Socket A I had my NIC on..

crtecha · Apr 7, 2009, 07:17 PM

yeah use the onboard it will be fine. I have a few of these laying around jsut incase. there cheap and will perform the same.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...4927&CatId=200

Jizzler · Apr 7, 2009, 07:35 PM

While at the Storage Networking World conference yesterday I saw Intel showing off their NICs and SSDs. Amazing throughput with minimal CPU utilization. Definitely good stuff.

Though, that doesn't answer if you actually need one vs the onboard in a home/desktop environment... and I probably can't help you there. I haven't bought a dedicated NIC since boards started to include onboard gigabit. Boards with only 100bT got Intel Pro/1000 Desktop adapters installed (and that was several years ago).

3870x2 · Apr 7, 2009, 07:42 PM

If there is a latency difference, it is definately worth it, even if it is only a 10% increase. I wonder if there are any settings you can tweak for better latency? it would help my css game alot.

Jizzler · Apr 7, 2009, 08:13 PM

Has any onboard vs Killer NIC review shown a 10% decrease in latency?

Supposedly it has the balls like a dedicated NIC (offloading) but the drivers are tweaked for gaming as well. If you can't get reduced latency out of a Killer NIC, I don't know if we could get it out of any other NIC.

mrhuggles · Apr 8, 2009, 10:52 PM

yeah if you want lower latency the firstplace to start is your ISP/connection between you and them... then router

thebeephaha · Apr 8, 2009, 11:24 PM

My Intel Pro 1000PT destroys my onboard and just about everything else I have used over the years.

Was cheap too, like $35.

Better latencies and massive LAN transfer speed boost to my server.

Apr 7, 2009, 06:31 PM	#1
Paintface Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 374 (0.21/day) Thanks: 16 Thanked 74 Times in 48 Posts System Specs	Any professional reviews to compare NICs? So for years ive been building NICs into top tier gaming systems, ive been using 3COM for a long time but they dont seem to produce retail grade nics anymore, the intel ones seem to be the current top tier. So a few years ago it was a no brainer getting a nic for 20-30bucks to replace the onboard, but is this still the case? i was wondering if there was good reviews that compare intel/3com based Nics compared to the current realtek onboard solutions, as well as the realtek based nic cards. be it in a network envirement or connected through a cable modem to the internet. thanks!

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Apr 7, 2009, 06:48 PM	#2
sneekypeet Unpaid Babysitter Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 19,115 (7.28/day) Thanks: 3,062 Thanked 5,500 Times in 3,959 Posts System Specs	In my opinion I say try the onboard (its free with purchase...lol). If you find it isnt up to par with a card, then look to add one. I havent had a NIC in any of my PC's since a pre-built ME machine. Dont know if there is any speed difference these days, the components that run are a ton more capable of taking the load than the single core Socket A I had my NIC on.. __________________ Hers: ASUS Maximus V Gene / i7 3770K / Swiftech H220 / 4X8GB Corsair Dominators / ASUS GTX660 / Corsair AX-760 / Windows 7 64bit / Fractal Design ARC Midi R2 Test: Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3 / i7 2600K / A lot Of Coolers / Ripjaws Currently / HIS HD7950 IceQ Turbo / Silverstone SST-ST85F-G / Windows 7 64bit / InWin D-Frame Limited Edition

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Apr 7, 2009, 07:17 PM	#3
crtecha Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ipsay meechigan Posts: 1,394 (0.84/day) Thanks: 170 Thanked 212 Times in 196 Posts System Specs	yeah use the onboard it will be fine. I have a few of these laying around jsut incase. there cheap and will perform the same. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...4927&CatId=200 __________________ And now y'all try to take my spot, fellas? Philly's hot rock fellas, put you in a dry spot, fellas In a pine box with nine shots from my glock, fellas

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Apr 7, 2009, 07:35 PM	#4
Jizzler Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Geneva, FL, USA Posts: 3,010 (1.41/day) Thanks: 567 Thanked 606 Times in 487 Posts System Specs	While at the Storage Networking World conference yesterday I saw Intel showing off their NICs and SSDs. Amazing throughput with minimal CPU utilization. Definitely good stuff. Though, that doesn't answer if you actually need one vs the onboard in a home/desktop environment... and I probably can't help you there. I haven't bought a dedicated NIC since boards started to include onboard gigabit. Boards with only 100bT got Intel Pro/1000 Desktop adapters installed (and that was several years ago).

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Apr 7, 2009, 07:42 PM	#5
3870x2 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Joplin, Mo Posts: 4,549 (2.35/day) Thanks: 176 Thanked 692 Times in 558 Posts System Specs	If there is a latency difference, it is definately worth it, even if it is only a 10% increase. I wonder if there are any settings you can tweak for better latency? it would help my css game alot. __________________ A+, N+, S+, MCSE. Heatware STEAM ID Name: furi0nst0rmrage (0s are zeros) M O D E R N\|\|W A R F A R E \|\| 2 \|\| CLUBHOUSE // TEAM “The amount exaltation of the processor cores can brings amazing floating” -sparkle

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Apr 7, 2009, 08:13 PM	#6
Jizzler Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Geneva, FL, USA Posts: 3,010 (1.41/day) Thanks: 567 Thanked 606 Times in 487 Posts System Specs	Has any onboard vs Killer NIC review shown a 10% decrease in latency? Supposedly it has the balls like a dedicated NIC (offloading) but the drivers are tweaked for gaming as well. If you can't get reduced latency out of a Killer NIC, I don't know if we could get it out of any other NIC.

Apr 8, 2009, 10:52 PM	#7
mrhuggles Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,521 (0.73/day) Thanks: 32 Thanked 182 Times in 173 Posts System Specs	yeah if you want lower latency the firstplace to start is your ISP/connection between you and them... then router __________________ CPU-Z validation sig pics temporarily blocked

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Apr 8, 2009, 11:24 PM	#8
thebeephaha Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle/Shoreline WA Posts: 992 (0.44/day) Thanks: 170 Thanked 103 Times in 95 Posts System Specs	My Intel Pro 1000PT destroys my onboard and just about everything else I have used over the years. Was cheap too, like $35. Better latencies and massive LAN transfer speed boost to my server. __________________ <--System 1 Specs "Holy crap! Disco shit!" -Thrackan -->System 2 Specs: ASUS G50VT-A1 Notebook (X5 Case Mod) w/ T9400 2.53GHz, 4GB, 2x250GB 7200RPM Seagates in RAID0, 9800GS 512MB, 15.4" 1650x1080, Intel 5300 AGN, 6 & 9 Cell Batteries, 7 Ultimate 64 -->System 3 Specs: Norco RPC-4020, ASUS M2N32-SLI DLX, AMD Phenom X4 9150e, 4GB PC2-6400, 19 HDDs = 15TB, Windows Home Server w/ remote web access, FTP access, proxy server, BT server, & more!

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