What's the difference in NICs?

[y2kyu]

What am I missing out on if I go cheap and use a Linksys 10/100 instead of spending the extra money for a 3Com ir Intel? I have only used 3Com an Intel NICs which usually run $50+, but it's now getting a little expensive when I can just get a Linksys or D-Link for ~$15, sometimes less. Any difference?

Oh yeah, these new cards will be on the same network as my 3Com and Intel cards, any benefit when staying with the same brand of cards?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[Cnuke]

I stick with 3 com myself. It it the difference of Cadillac and a Skylark. I usually know that when I am working with a 3com that they are pretty sound.

All nics will work together, but when you are using only one on a network you ony have one set of drivers and can rule out any conflicts that they might have..

o sum it up If you got the money get 3com. I have used a generic nic and it was the last. It is in a box somewhere in the basement.

 

[H.A.R.M]

You get what you pay for, well most of the time.

1) CPU utilization: the 3COM will not use as many CPU clock cycles as the LinkSys
2) Suport: I would assume that 3COM will probably offer slightly better support and offer more frequent driver updates.
3) Bus Mastering: 3COM supports bus mastering and I think the LinkSys does as well
4) The 3COM 3C905 have been around along time and I would think there is support for them is other OS like UNIX and LINUX where I'm not sure about the LinkSys
5) Full Duplex: I know the 3COM supports as the LinkSys

Overall I think that Intel offers a better card for about the same money if not even a little bit less than the 3COM. Also 3COM has underwent some changes that I would say make them kinda of shaky as to how long they will be around in the future.

 

[xyyz]

i've used linksys, netgear (nortel), intel, and AMD adapters.

other than a few compatiblity problems with the AMD set... they all seem to do the same. save the cash... they all work virtually the same.

 

[Akash]

i have both i experince better packet procossing by the nic on my intel rather than my linksys... the intel generally uploads at 6500-6000kb/s where as my linksys will only go to 5000-4500 kb/s yes its over lan so its controlled but thats half duplex..

 

[xyyz]

when does this really matter though?

I don't know if he'll be transfering large files over the network constantly... or if it's for a home setup.

 

[Jaraxal]

Well I can tell you some problems I had ...

I have 2 Linksys 10/100 and 2 3Com 10/100s. On my Asus A7V with Durons, the Linksys will consistently drop out. What I mean is, if you watch the switch/router/hub, you can see the lights all go off, like I turned the computer off.

I tried W98, WME, and W2K, and it happened with all of them. Now I switch in the 3Com and the problem goes away.

However, the Linksys doesn't have any problems on an Intel 810E motherboard...

Go figure, but when it comes down to it, you are truely better off (even if only in peace of mind) to go with 3Com or Intel.

 

[her209]

Any opinions on Netgear NICs? A couple of them came with my Networking Kit, FB108, and was wondering if I should use 3Com instead.

 

[BCYL]

her209:

If it's only for casual home use, stick with the Netgear... they are already pretty good quality, so I see no reason to shell out more $$ for something like 3com if it's only for home use...

 

[soho]

I have been in networking for years, and I can honestly say that it doesn't make that much difference in which nic you use. I use Linksys nics all the time and I have no problems with them no matter what the OS. (Yes linux even detects them during pnp). Unless you need network mangement options (snmp) I would stick with the Linksys. The are the best kept secret in networking.