Best Card under $80 for Broadband?

[subgenius]

I'm looking for the best card for cable internet access on a new system (heavy personal use, but not a server).

Any suggestions?

 

[Garion]

Card, as in NIC? For broadband, it doesn't really matter, to be honest. For the most part, your broadband connection won't put out any more than 3-5Mb/s. Any NIC can handle that without breathing hard. If you want the most mature drivers, the best stability, etc., I'd consider either an Intel or a 3Com card. Otherwise, the $10 Linksys would do you fine. Spent the extra cash on a few more Mhz in the process or more RAM - You'll get a much better bang-for-the-buck.

- G

 

[JammingJay]

Assuming you mean a NIC, I agree with Garion. I've tried at least 1/2 a dozen different cards, ranging from Linksys, Netgear, some free after MIR generics, and I've never had a problem in regards to simple broadband access on any system. I'd say $20 is all you need, tops.

If you need a 'wireless' card for a laptop, the consensus seems to be Orinco gold makes one of the best. Then again, most cards do a decent job even in the slower 802.11b band since its plenty of speed for most broadband connections for internet browsing, and downloading. The trouble you'll mainly find here in this category is range, reliability (reconnects/disconnects), software, etc...

Best of luck to you.

 

[kt]

My $15 generic brand NIC already lasted me for about 5 years now. And my computer is on 24/7 most of the time. In all honesty, unless you are running mission critical servers you won't need to spend more than $20 for a NIC.

 

[JackMDS]

CompUSA have this week a Network Card for free after rebate.

It is 10/100Mb/sec. NIC, superb for heavy use of a Broadband connection, capable to push much less than 10Mb/sec. (and I think it is also WOL, with tiny cable provided, WOW! FREE!!!).

Link: SpeedStream 10/100 PCI Ethernet Adapter.

However, if you meant Wireless Card, get the Orinoco Gold ($53).

 

[cmetz]

subgenius, gigabit NICs are now very cheap and more future proof than 10/100 NICs. I'd suggest you get a Intel Pro/1000MT (about $45 retail or $35 through their eval program) or a Netgear GA302T (like $25-$30).

In terms of your Internet connection, these will deliver about no noticeable benefit over your $10 generic 10/100 board. But if you have a second PC around to transfer stuff back and forth to, it'll matter. In the future, you're likely to be able to benefit from this. And also, the overall design, build, and driver quality will be higher.

 

[Need4Speed]

Originally posted by: cmetz
subgenius, gigabit NICs are now very cheap and more future proof than 10/100 NICs. I'd suggest you get a Intel Pro/1000MT (about $45 retail or $35 through their eval program) or a Netgear GA302T (like $25-$30).

In terms of your Internet connection, these will deliver about no noticeable benefit over your $10 generic 10/100 board. But if you have a second PC around to transfer stuff back and forth to, it'll matter. In the future, you're likely to be able to benefit from this. And also, the overall design, build, and driver quality will be higher.

yeah but giga switches arent that cheap yet

 

[cmetz]

Need4Speed, I bought a four-port Hawking 10/100/1000 switch for $80 shipped. Linksys 5-port is ca. $100 and Hawking and Linksys both have 8 port ca. $150. That's pretty cheap in my book.

Starting out though, you could get a SOHO router (which you might want anyway) and just use the 10/100 switch built into that. Don't buy a gig switch until you need it (i.e., you have multiple PCs with gig NICs).

 

[BurnItDwn]

I would just go to newegg or compgeeks and get the cheapest 100mbit nic. Heck a creap used ISA 10mbit nic would still be much faster than the speed you get thru a cable modem.

Don't spend more than $20 unless you get a gigabit card (which you would only benefit from if you have a gigabit switch, and multiple computers with gigabit cards)

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: cmetz
Need4Speed, I bought a four-port Hawking 10/100/1000 switch for $80 shipped. Linksys 5-port is ca. $100 and Hawking and Linksys both have 8 port ca. $150. That's pretty cheap in my book.

Starting out though, you could get a SOHO router (which you might want anyway) and just use the 10/100 switch built into that. Don't buy a gig switch until you need it (i.e., you have multiple PCs with gig NICs).

Cheap for you perhaps. But when I had to contemplate about getting a $15 8-port 10/100 switch, looking at the $80 switch will give me a heart attack.