Bigfoot Networks KillerNIC M1

Frederik S · 05-23-2007, 10:12 AM

To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/B.../KillerNIC_M1/

Please Digg the review to help us promote it.

Bret · 06-18-2007, 09:41 AM

Why did u measure FPS?

And ur ping is 5ms?? My ping never gets below 250ms in any game.. maybe u dont need that thing.

Wile E · 06-18-2007, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bret

Why did u measure FPS?

Mostly because Killer targets this towards gamers. They claim better fps and ping in their advertising.

xvi · 06-18-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bret

Why did u measure FPS?

And ur ping is 5ms?? My ping never gets below 250ms in any game.. maybe u dont need that thing.

As it said in the review, the KillerNIC does all the work for the network instead of the CPU. This frees up CPU usage so that it can be used for the game and not for the network. That extra CPU means he can get more FPS. As for the 5ms ping, he's playing on a local network.

Although the idea of having a "slave Linux computer" do my PC's bidding sounds amazing, I don't think I can justify the price. Then again, there are people out there who will buy Quad-Core Xeons and Quad-SLI 8800 Ultras as soon as they hit the market just so they can play FEAR and HL2 200 FPS higher than their refresh rate.

I've seen the KillerNICs out for a while, but it's interesting to see some benchmarks popping up. I wonder why they opted for a mini-Linux brew and not just some super-dedicated hardware. It seems like that'd be cheaper and more efficient.

DanTheBanjoman · 06-18-2007, 11:03 AM

I wonder if the difference is noticeable on dual core systems as well. With another core that can handle the networking the Killer NIC could just be an expensive alternative to dual core.

xvi · 06-18-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanTheBanjoman

I wonder if the difference is noticeable on dual core systems as well. With another core that can handle the networking the Killer NIC could just be an expensive alternative to dual core.

Good point. I'd imagine that most games take advantage of Dual-Core machines now-a-days, don't they? I know Valve was looking in to it quite extensively.

Frederik S · 06-18-2007, 11:32 AM

Well if you take a look at the other reviews of the KillerNIC on the web there are tests done on dual and quad core systems. With some remarkable results.

EastCoasthandle · 06-18-2007, 12:59 PM

I read that this card creates a handicap if web browsing. Did you notice any slow ups when web browsing?

newtekie1 · 06-18-2007, 01:04 PM

There is no way this card is worth the price, it is just a high priced packet scheduler. Any good $15 PCI NIC will give roughly the same results by taking a small load off the CPU. Either way, the difference isn't noticeable, or at least not worth $220.

Frederik S · 06-18-2007, 01:05 PM

I couldn't feel a difference. I have SpeedFox for Firefox installed and all of the page load times with and with out where aboue the same. So there might be small difference, but it ain't something you can "feel" while browsing.

EastCoasthandle · 06-18-2007, 01:10 PM

Great thanks for the info. I also read that this network card works best for a mid-low ranger computer.

xvi · 06-18-2007, 01:32 PM

The more the CPU bottlenecks the computer, the better performance you're going to see. That's at least what I assume. That's probably why the maximum frame rate didn't change. The CPU was no longer the bottleneck for that specific scene, but the GPU (or maybe VSync) was. If the CPU can keep up with the GPU and deal with the network at the same time with cycles to spare, offloading to extra hardware is only going to give you even more (useless) spare cycles.

WarEagleAU · 06-18-2007, 02:18 PM

It does help, but the negligible difference doesnt justify the $250.00 price tag. Of course, I know a few who have it just so they can frag some asses in CSS and other games ::Shrug:

xvi · 06-18-2007, 02:34 PM

Yeah.. That's pretty much it. It's a network card for people who absolutely require the best (and can afford it).

Unless you want it for the heatsync. I heard it lights up. How hard is it to make your own heatsync?

newtekie1 · 06-18-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EastCoasthandle

Great thanks for the info. I also read that this network card works best for a mid-low ranger computer.

But if you have a mid-low range computer, why not spend the $220+ on something more useful, like a better processor?

05-23-2007, 10:12 AM	#1
Frederik S Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Søllerød, Denmark Posts: 272 (0.28/day) Thanks: 7 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts System Specs	Bigfoot Networks KillerNIC M1 To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/B.../KillerNIC_M1/ Please Digg the review to help us promote it. Last edited by W1zzard; 06-18-2007 at 07:04 AM.

Processor:	C2D E6420 @ 3.4 GHz
Motherboard:	Gigabyte P35C-DS3R
Cooling:	Scythe Infinity
Memory:	Mushkin XP DDR2-1066, 5-5-4-15 @ 2.3 V
Video Card:	Inno3D 8800GTS 320MB @ 648 Mhz Core / 1000 MHz RAM
Harddisk:	WD Raptor 36.7 GB, Hitachi Deskstar 400 GB
CD/DVD Drive:	LiteOn DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 740BF 2 Ms
Case:	Antec P180B
Sound Card:	Creative X-Fi Extreme music
PSU:	480 Watt Tagan
Software:	WinXP Pro SP2

Processor:	Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 3731Mhz (2133 FSB)
Motherboard:	Asus P5N32E 680i SLi LGA775
Cooling:	Scythe Infinity 120mm @ 1,200 RPM/ Thermalright HR-03 Plus
Memory:	G.Skill 6400C4 HZ Micron D9 @ 1066Mhz 4-4-4-15 T2
Video Card:	nVidia Geforce 8800 GTX @ 700/2100
Harddisk:	Western Digital 150GB 16MB Raptor 10,000 RPM/ Western Digital 2x 250GB (RAID0) 8MB Cavier SE
CD/DVD Drive:	LG 2x DVD+RW w/LightScribe
CRT/LCD Model:	Dell 2407WFP HD LCD Widescreen 1200p
Case:	Antec 900 w/modded top
Sound Card:	Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic
PSU:	Thermaltake ToughPower 750w 60A
Software:	Windows XP SP2 64-bit Gold Edition

System Name:	The ClusterF**k
Processor:	QX9650 @ 4Ghz (40010) 1.375V; 4455MHz (40511) benching
Motherboard:	Asus Maximus Formula flashed to Rampage BIOS
Cooling:	3x120mm rad, DDC-1 pump w/Bitspower res top (1/2" fittings), DTek Fuzion
Memory:	2x1GB Transcend AxeRam DDR2-1200 5-5-5-15 @ 2.2V; 1215MHz 5-5-5-15 for benching
Video Card:	HD4850 900/1100 vmodded and cooled by Maze5, DDC, MCR-120
Harddisk:	Seagate 7200.10 320GB x2 RAID0; Samsung F1 1TB
CD/DVD Drive:	LITE-ON LH-20A1S
CRT/LCD Model:	Westinghouse L2410NM 24" 1920x1200
Case:	Cooler Master CM Stacker 830 Evo
Sound Card:	Soundblaster Audigy2 ZS
PSU:	Antec True Power Quattro 1000W
Software:	XP pro; Vista Home Premium x64; Fedora 9

System Name:	Ol' Sempy
Processor:	AMD Sempron 3400+@2.35GHz (Soon to be 3GHz?)
Motherboard:	DFI LanParty UT nForce3 250gb
Cooling:	Zalman CNPS7700Cu w/AC5
Memory:	OCz 2x1GB Platinum DDR-400 2-3-2-8 1T (OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K)
Video Card:	ATi Radeon X850 Pro @ 560/620 16p (Zalman VF700-Cu)
Harddisk:	2x Segate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB in RAID0 (Maxtor DiamondMax 160GB Ubuntu)
CD/DVD Drive:	Sony DVD+-RW / NEC 52x32x52
CRT/LCD Model:	Sceptre Naiga 20" wXGA LCD 5ms
Case:	Old Raidmax Brushed Aluminum
Sound Card:	Turtle Beach Montego DDL softmod to HDA X-plosion 7.1 DTS over Logitech z-5500
PSU:	CoolerMaster RealPower 481w (Bad voltages?)
Software:	Win XP 64-bit / Ubuntu 8.04 x86-64
Benchmarks:	38 second SuperPI. Potential 3 GHz in Linux.

06-18-2007, 09:41 AM	#2
Bret Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 48 (0.09/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts System Specs	Why did u measure FPS? And ur ping is 5ms?? My ping never gets below 250ms in any game.. maybe u dont need that thing.

06-18-2007, 11:03 AM	#5
DanTheBanjoman Señor Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Utrecht, Utrecht, The kingdom of the Netherlands Posts: 5,687 (3.43/day) Thanks: 18 Thanked 622 Times in 500 Posts System Specs	I wonder if the difference is noticeable on dual core systems as well. With another core that can handle the networking the Killer NIC could just be an expensive alternative to dual core. __________________

Processor:	Dual Xeon L5310 @ 2400MHz
Motherboard:	Asus Z7S
Cooling:	Stock Intel coolers
Memory:	8GB Quad channel
Video Card:	Asus 8800GTS @ 621/1620/945
Harddisk:	LSI MegaRAID 320-2 + 4x 72GB 15K
CD/DVD Drive:	None
CRT/LCD Model:	22" WS
Case:	Chieftec Dragon
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	620W CM
Software:	Win2k8

06-18-2007, 11:32 AM	#7
Frederik S Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Søllerød, Denmark Posts: 272 (0.28/day) Thanks: 7 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts System Specs	Well if you take a look at the other reviews of the KillerNIC on the web there are tests done on dual and quad core systems. With some remarkable results.

06-18-2007, 12:59 PM	#8
EastCoasthandle Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,714 (2.05/day) Thanks: 140 Thanked 337 Times in 229 Posts System Specs	I read that this card creates a handicap if web browsing. Did you notice any slow ups when web browsing? __________________ 4800 Series Driver, OCing, Cooling and Tweaking Thread Naturally Aspired WaterCooling Thread Lapping your CPU's IHS

Processor:	C2D E8400
Motherboard:	Maximus Formula, fans on N/S brdige Heatsinks
Cooling:	D5, 7/16" ID Tubing, Maze4 with Fuzion CPU WB
Memory:	Corsair XMS 8500C5D @ 1066MHz
Video Card:	hd 2900 XT 858/900 to 4870 Stock
Harddisk:	2
CD/DVD Drive:	2
CRT/LCD Model:	24"
Case:	P180
Sound Card:	X-fi Plantinum
PSU:	Silencer 750
Software:	XP Pro

06-18-2007, 01:04 PM	#9
newtekie1 Eligible for custom title Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,026 (4.54/day) Thanks: 157 Thanked 636 Times in 541 Posts System Specs	There is no way this card is worth the price, it is just a high priced packet scheduler. Any good $15 PCI NIC will give roughly the same results by taking a small load off the CPU. Either way, the difference isn't noticeable, or at least not worth $220. __________________ Rig1: System Specs. Rig2: C2DE6600@3.6GHz / P5N-E SLI / 2GB Geil DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 / eVGA 9600GSO / Samsung DVD-Burner / 80GB Seagate SATA Drive 3DMark06: 11176 Rig3: Athlon X2 4400+@2.8GHz / A8N32-SLI Deluxe / 2GB OCZ DDR-500 / HIS HD4670 Turbo / Sony DVD-Burner / 250GB Seagate SATA Drive 3Dmark06: ???? Rig4: C2DE2180@3.3GHz / Asus P5B / 2GB G.Skill DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 / ATI X800XL / Samsung DVD-Burner / 80GB Seagate SATA Drive 3DMark06: 2220

Processor:	Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0@3.2GHz(400*8)
Motherboard:	eVGA 780i A1
Cooling:	Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme w/ 120mm Antec Tri-Cool Fan
Memory:	4GB G.Skill Pi DDR2-1100 5-5-5-15 @ DDR2-800 4-4-4-12
Video Card:	2x eVGA 9800GTX(G92) 512MB 800/2000/1200 in SLI
Harddisk:	500GB Seagate SATAII PRT, 3x400GB WD SATA RE2, 300GB WD ATA100 in AMS Venus USB enclosure
CD/DVD Drive:	Sony DRU820A
CRT/LCD Model:	ASUS 22" MW221U LCD
Case:	Lian-Li Lancool Metal Boned K7 w/ Windowed Side Panel
Sound Card:	Onboard is good enough for me
PSU:	Thermaltake Toughpower 750w Modular and Power Express 650w
Software:	Windows XP Pro SP3 + Windows Vista x64 SP1

06-18-2007, 01:05 PM	#10
Frederik S Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Søllerød, Denmark Posts: 272 (0.28/day) Thanks: 7 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts System Specs	I couldn't feel a difference. I have SpeedFox for Firefox installed and all of the page load times with and with out where aboue the same. So there might be small difference, but it ain't something you can "feel" while browsing.

06-18-2007, 01:10 PM	#11
EastCoasthandle Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,714 (2.05/day) Thanks: 140 Thanked 337 Times in 229 Posts System Specs	Great thanks for the info. I also read that this network card works best for a mid-low ranger computer. __________________ 4800 Series Driver, OCing, Cooling and Tweaking Thread Naturally Aspired WaterCooling Thread Lapping your CPU's IHS

06-18-2007, 01:32 PM	#12
xvi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, US Posts: 452 (0.60/day) Thanks: 35 Thanked 40 Times in 20 Posts System Specs	The more the CPU bottlenecks the computer, the better performance you're going to see. That's at least what I assume. That's probably why the maximum frame rate didn't change. The CPU was no longer the bottleneck for that specific scene, but the GPU (or maybe VSync) was. If the CPU can keep up with the GPU and deal with the network at the same time with cycles to spare, offloading to extra hardware is only going to give you even more (useless) spare cycles. __________________ HWBot scores. Server: CEDS (Complex Electronic Defense System) \| E-Machine 633MHz Celeron, 384MB PC100 \| Windows Server 2003 Enterprise \| DNS, DHCP, WINS, VPN, Print, Streaming Media. \| ISA Server 2006 Firewall/Proxy Server: Dello \| Dell Optiplex Slim, 2GHz Celeron, 1GB PC133 \| Apache 2.3-something Server: Mythbuntu \| Dell Optiplex Slim, 1GHz Celeron, 512MB PC133 \| Failed MediaPC, MythTV server/frontend (Work in Progress)

06-18-2007, 02:18 PM	#13
WarEagleAU Bird of Prey Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gurley, AL Posts: 7,428 (8.45/day) Thanks: 1,202 Thanked 302 Times in 283 Posts System Specs	It does help, but the negligible difference doesnt justify the $250.00 price tag. Of course, I know a few who have it just so they can frag some asses in CSS and other games ::Shrug: __________________ =-TheEagle-= Ashentech

System Name:	War Eagle 9000!!!
Processor:	AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ BE baby yeah! 3244 MHz (3.25Ghz effective) (240 * 13.5) (Eventually a Phenom2
Motherboard:	Gigabyte GA MA 790X DS4 AM2/AM2+ AMD 790X Mobo (Soon to be M3a32 MVP Deluxe Wi FI AP)
Cooling:	Xigmatek S1283 DHT w/ AS MX-2. Lapped/Polished TT Easy Spirit 2 (40mm fan) all copper with MX-2
Memory:	Wintec Ampx Pro 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2 800 (463.5 DDR 927Mhz Effective 127MHZ OC!! ) (Soon to be 2GB Axes)
Video Card:	Ive Finally Joined the revolution. HIS IceQ3 HD 3870 FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harddisk:	Western Digital 320 GB SATAII 3.0GBPS & WD Caviar Green 1.0TB 7200 SATAII 3.0 Drive
CD/DVD Drive:	Samung (TCCT Corp) 18X Lightscribe DVD+/-R/RW
CRT/LCD Model:	ACER 19W AL1917W 1440x900 19" LCD
Case:	Sigma Luna W Case (Soon to be Cooler Master HAF - 932)
Sound Card:	Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty Regulard Edition with 64MB XRAM
PSU:	Corsair TX CMPSU 650W!!!! (Aww its so nice and purty.) 52A on single 12v RAIL!!
Software:	MS Windows XP Pro 64 Bit SP2
Benchmarks:	3DMark06 : 9997 PcMark05 : Not known yet, need a keygen xD

06-18-2007, 02:34 PM	#14
xvi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, US Posts: 452 (0.60/day) Thanks: 35 Thanked 40 Times in 20 Posts System Specs	Yeah.. That's pretty much it. It's a network card for people who absolutely require the best (and can afford it). Unless you want it for the heatsync. I heard it lights up. How hard is it to make your own heatsync? __________________ HWBot scores. Server: CEDS (Complex Electronic Defense System) \| E-Machine 633MHz Celeron, 384MB PC100 \| Windows Server 2003 Enterprise \| DNS, DHCP, WINS, VPN, Print, Streaming Media. \| ISA Server 2006 Firewall/Proxy Server: Dello \| Dell Optiplex Slim, 2GHz Celeron, 1GB PC133 \| Apache 2.3-something Server: Mythbuntu \| Dell Optiplex Slim, 1GHz Celeron, 512MB PC133 \| Failed MediaPC, MythTV server/frontend (Work in Progress)

06-18-2007, 02:48 PM	#16
DanTheBanjoman Señor Moderator Join Date: May 2004