Which PCI-E ethernet card?

darael

darael

darael

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I've had a PCI-E Intel Gigabit CT ethernet card for what seems like an eternity, but I've probably had it for almost 10 years. My main reason for using a separate ethernet card is because I find it peforms better than onboard ethernet controllers found on motherboards. This is especially highlighted when running speed tests, but I've also found slightly higher ping times when playing online games.

I've not been sucked into the marketing jargon known as gaming cards. I just want a decent network card that isn't to give me mixed performance.

I have considered the QNAP QXG-2G1T-I225, but I don't see me ever needing 2.5Gbps speed. I am connected directly to my SuperHub 3 which has 1GBps ports and I pay for a 200Mbps service, which is increased as I have an O2 contract. But at least I would be future proofed for some time to come.
 
Motherboard NICs are generally terrible, I’m with you on that. I use a 10 Gbps card, might be worth getting one from the likes of Intel for future proofing.
 
Which make and model cards would you suggest? Any reason not to go for the above QMAP card, or just because it's "only" 2.5Gbps - which, TBH, would be more than enough for me.

The main reason I'm looking to ditch the CT is because of lack of driver updated and it being a discontinued product. I don't want to be in the situation where I have to look for a NIC at the last moment, because suddenly Windows doesn't support my old hardware.
 
Windows will likely have drivers for an Intel CT for decades to come - Intel controller chips are so ubiquitous in various forms that there will always be in box drivers for them.

Not sure about the Qnap card as it has an Intel I225 chipset - can't remember but believe there was some specific issue with this chipset?
 
Armageus said:
Windows will likely have drivers for an Intel CT for decades to come - Intel controller chips are so ubiquitous in various forms that there will always be in box drivers for them.

Not sure about the Qnap card as it has an Intel I225 chipset - can't remember but believe there was some specific issue with this chipset?
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ChrisD. said:
Correct, fixed in revision 3 (might be called stepping 3).
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Is there anyway of ensuring I get revision 3? Or checking which version I get when I get it?
 
darael said:
Is there anyway of ensuring I get revision 3? Or checking which version I get when I get it?
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I'm not sure, I would have thought anything that's bought new would be version 3. Thing is, 2.5 Gbps is a bit of an in between, 10 Gbps has been around for so long and it will happily negotiate at 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps and obviously 10 Gbps. Unless there's a substantial price difference, get 10 Gbps. I'd look at used server NICs on eBay personally, I have a few I use at home without issue.
 
ChrisD. said:
I'm not sure, I would have thought anything that's bought new would be version 3. Thing is, 2.5 Gbps is a bit of an in between, 10 Gbps has been around for so long and it will happily negotiate at 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps and obviously 10 Gbps. Unless there's a substantial price difference, get 10 Gbps. I'd look at used server NICs on eBay personally, I have a few I use at home without issue.
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I didn't realise 10Gbps was more well established than 2.5Gbps, so what you say makes sense and sits well with me.

Any suggestions for an Intel 10Gbps card?
 
darael said:
Any suggestions for an Intel 10Gbps card?
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Intel X520/530/540, whatever you find that's cheap and used. The 520 is getting on a bit now and I don't know if they did copper versions. I'm pretty sure it's a 520 in my gaming PC (because the on-board 2.5 Gbps NIC is trash) and it's working perfectly fine in still Windows 10.
 
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