should I use the onboard Ethernet LAN port or the PCI Ethernet card?

[andylawcc]

it seems like using the onboard one would be a wiser choice since I would free one extra PCI slot and it just "seems right" (why use plug in something extra when you already have it onboard) Beside, it is not like onboard Audio where it usually sucks compare to a dedicated PCI soundcard.

but on a second thought does the onboard one chew up CPU cycles? I do have extra PCI Slots so using a PCI won't bother me that much.


the motherboard is ECS K75SA btw.

 

[boyRacer]

id use the onboard... probably lower latency along with saving you a PCI slot.

 

[SuperSix]

Bah.. Use the onboard, you will have a few cycles to spare...

 

[Nemesis3]

I have wondered the same thing and how big of performance hit you take using onboard lan. As cheap as lan cards are and as much as we all try to get the most out of our systems... taking a hit for onboard lan would be silly if there is one. The issue of a latency advantage either way would be interesting to know as well. Sure there is a review or two out there somewhere... one might also want to examine the differnce in onboard lan sources. Some people swear by the differences in PCI lan cards so looking into what the impact on onbord is can't be that bad of a concept

 

[spanky]

i use the onboard lan. i don't notice any performance hits. if there was any, it's minimal.

 

[Acanthus]

Having intel Pro1000T integrated lan (yes 1000 not 100) it wasnt a quetion integrated, honestly i have never noticed a performance hit in using integrated lan, i make a lot of Nforce rigs and use the 10/100 built in.

 

[andylawcc]

okay, thanks guys.