Difference between Intel NIC and Realtek? P67

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What are the differences between an Intel NIC and Realtek network port / interface on the P67 platform?

I don't think it will make a difference but am unsure..

Cheers,

Laurence
 
Its as simple as this, the Realtek is slightly better thoughoutput than the intel nic aswell as slightly higher cpu usage than the realtek.
 
The Intel PHY connects directly to the Chipset, the Realtek will be on the PCIe bus. Theoretically you'd get slightly better performance out of the Intel but at a higher cost for the parts. In the real world you'd probably notice no difference hence why most manufacturers fit the cheaper Realtek.
 
Its as simple as this, the Realtek is slightly better thoughoutput than the intel nic aswell as slightly higher cpu usage than the realtek.

Typo Virus? :) Realtek sounds win win if not :)


I like the sound of the Intel being directly connected, would this mean a lower latency?

I guess we're talking less than ms's here? :)

I'm just worried about ping times etc of online games as that's important to me. I guess we have been playing for years on realtek NICs for a while anyhow..

Thanks for the speedy replies.
 
Typo - suspect so.

There's nothing wrong with a Realtek, but given the choice for the similar price I'd take the Intel if only because the drivers are better and the CPU utilisation is slightly less. Our network guys at work get a bit twitchy about NICs so we make sure all the PCs now come with Intel where possible.

As to improved latency for online gaming, the NIC is pretty unimportant. The 2m bit of cable connecting your PC to the router at Gigabit speeds is pretty irrelevant in the scheme of things between you and the other player/server. You'd get more benefit with a better ISP or router.

Reminds me of the discussion around a special gaming NIC that was around a couple of years ago, I think it was called the KillerNIC. Cost loads more than an Intel and it was very difficult to measure any performance improvement if memory serves.
 
Yeah I understand the differences in throughput which indeed I am not looking for particularly. As it will hardly be used on my LAN much, other than the occasional file transfer.

True, Intel does have slightly better driver support I guess, but their wireless products - at least on laptops had many issues when Windows 7 came out with a lack of drive support then.

Realtek has been doing NIC's for ages 95% of motherboards?

As for CPU usage, well I don't think that matters much compared to the overhead I'll most likely have when gaming. Every bit does help though, on both CPU utilization and latency. Again I don't think this will be a large percentage difference?



Yeah that KillerNIC was a rip lol...

Well I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on something big if I get a Gigabyte which only offer the Realtek NIC.
 
I've always been told by my friends that work in IT that the intel stuff is better than the broadcom ones. One of them even seemed to think that it would be worth the price of the Pro over the standard. I have to say though, I don't think there's a great deal of difference between them for the average user.
 
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