Flare Sci-Fi Forums: Ethernet Cards

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Posted by Diane (Member # 53) on :

I'm getting an ethernet card for my computer when I go off to college. What's the difference between expensive and cheap ones? Is there a speed difference? Would I need anything more than the cheapest one available?

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Posted by HMS White Star (Member # 174) on :

The nic card really doesn't make much of a difference in speed basically any nic card will do (I like the cheap one's since if you need to replace them it's like 15 bucks and they basically work with anything).

If you want to improve your internet connection speed at the university go to *cough*speedguide.net*cough*. The download patches there (backing up the registry is a good idea) and that can make a HUGH difference in download speed (my download speeds more tripled).

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Posted by Aethelwer (Member # 36) on :

Be sure to get a 10/100 card in case you ever get to use a fast Ethernet network.

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Posted by Diane (Member # 53) on :

Okay, what's a 10/100 card?

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Posted by Aethelwer (Member # 36) on :

A card that works on both 10-base-T (regular Ethernet) and 100-base-TX (fast Ethernet) networks. Most are of this type, luckily. The really cheap ones might only work on 10-base-T networks, and the ones that are sold in bulk with the intention of giving newly-hired IT support technicians headaches are 100-only (from personal experience).

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

Linksys. It works, AND it's not expensive. 'Nuff said.

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Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :

Two of the computers at my house have LinkSys cards, and we really haven't had much trouble w/ them. Plenty of trouble w/ the networking, but not the cards themselves. A friend of mine had a LinkSys card, and it burned out. Literally. Smoke, melting, everything. *shrugs* I'm sure it was just a fluke... :-)

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Posted by Mikey T (Member # 144) on :

I don't think so TSN, my computer caught fire!!! But then again it was a Packard Bell... Anyway, I am using Ethernet cards for my network. They were a pain to install becase on of my towers had a SoundBlaster Card that conflicted with the Ethernet card for unknown reasons that I still cannot figure out. So, I had to disconnect the sound card to get my network running. But I couldn't use my Napster without my the SoundBlaster card, until I paid a tech guy to fix it for me.

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Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :

My company uses 3Com-10/100 cards. They are reliable and can often be recognized by Windows (preferrably Win98SE) without the need of outside drivers, because they're a big brand. Intel also has good cards, but our network is solely based upon 3Com.

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Posted by Jeff Raven (Member # 20) on :

Another good ethernet card is Netgear. I've had my for about a two years now, and no problems. And it was only 25 bucks, too.

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Posted by Aethelwer (Member # 36) on :

The above cards that I complained vehemently about were NetGear ones.

In general, just get the most expensive card.

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Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

Which may be helpful in a "expensive=better" kind of way, isn't very helpful in a "expenisve=MONEY" kind of way.

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Posted by Aethelwer (Member # 36) on :

Well, ultimately, the difference in card prices will only be $10-$15, and the more expensive ones will probably last longer and be less likely to fail.

Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :

Well, a cheap 10 Base-T card costs about $20, a cheap 10/100 card costs about $30, a 3Com 10/100 costs $70.
(Canadian prices in case you are wondering)

Thats a significant difference. Personally I'd suggest just buying a cheap 10 base-T card like the D-Link card I'm using right now. Its working quite fine...

Not too mention, I did manage to fry a pretty expensive 3Com modem...
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[This message has been edited by Mucus (edited July 05, 2000).]

Posted by Jeff Raven (Member # 20) on :

Well, paying more money for stuff is what many Mac users do... :-)

Posted by Aethelwer (Member # 36) on :

Exactly. And guess which platform has a longer life, requires less maintenance, etc.? The more you pay, the more you'll get. It's worth playing the extra $10 for a card that will last longer, because you'll save money in the long run.

Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

Yeah, the iMac has a HUGE shelf-life doesn't it?

Posted by Aethelwer (Member # 36) on :

Define "shelf-life." I was referring to the amount of time the computer will last before it needs repairs or is unusable.

Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

Ah. I was referring to the length of time it'll take before you realise that your computer is half as powerful as every other computer available is. And you can't do a single thing about it.

Oh, wait. You can plug in a transparent keyboard. That's okay then.

Nyah.

Posted by Aethelwer (Member # 36) on :

Bah! I have a six-year old Mac running as a Web server (or I would if I turned it on, but I haven't anything to use it for at the moment).