Which is a better NIC card 3Com or Linksys

**ChuckDees** · 11-08-01, 08:35 AM

Which do you think would be better for my DSL connection?

**Brent** · 11-08-01, 08:40 AM

I like 3Com more then any other NIC manufacturer

specifally their TX97, but it' aint cheap, about $100 US

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 11-08-01, 08:41 AM

3COM...no competition. If you want a top notch card, 3COM 905 series or Intel Pro series. Are Linksys routers and switches/hubs the best out there? Hell no....just look at all the complaints over on the other forums. They're budget stuff.

**ChuckDees** · 11-08-01, 08:50 AM

I just ordered my Gateway that the company gave me for a 3 year service agreement. It's coming with Linksys network card. I have here a 3COM 3C905C-TXM network card that I got form work.

So you are suggesting that I should take out the Linksys and put in the 3COM?

What is the best way to remove those Linksys drivers and card and put in the 3COM so that Windows XP Pro doesnt have files and drivers hanging around for the Linksys?

**Dunster** · 11-08-01, 10:01 AM

ChuckDees, just a comment from me. I have a Linksys and it works just fine. No problems. Other people on the board have used them too and like them. The 3Com, however, is a better card. Especially the one you have from work.
I don't think you can go wrong either way.

**Qwijib0** · 11-08-01, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by ChuckDees
I just ordered my Gateway that the company gave me for a 3 year service agreement. It's coming with Linksys network card. I have here a 3COM 3C905C-TXM network card that I got form work.

So you are suggesting that I should take out the Linksys and put in the 3COM?

What is the best way to remove those Linksys drivers and card and put in the 3COM so that Windows XP Pro doesnt have files and drivers hanging around for the Linksys?

go to the device manager, remove the hardware then shut down. remove the linksys, and put in the 3com. XP wil detect and install drivers automagically, and let you know it's installed with a bubble window in the bottom right.

**ChuckDees** · 11-08-01, 01:49 PM

What makes the 3COM a better card?

Will I see a performance gain on my DSL connection using the 3COM over the Linksys?

**YARDofSTUF** · 11-08-01, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by ChuckDees
What makes the 3COM a better card?

Will I see a performance gain on my DSL connection using the 3COM over the Linksys?

better quailty, better performance from pc to pc, not really a difference in net speed though i had a 3com 905 and it bit the dust and i now use a accuton that gets the same speeds and its a 5 dollar nic lmao!

**ChuckDees** · 11-08-01, 02:04 PM

So Yard,

Are you suggesting I should just keep the Linksys in my computer when I get?

Or should I install a 3COM 3C905C-TXM that I have?

If it's not gonna help my upload or download speeds I don't really care to do the switch.

**Dunster** · 11-08-01, 02:40 PM

You will see NO difference in your UL or DL speeds between those cards. Since the Linksys will be a new card, just leave it in. Then, if you ever have a problem you could put the 3Com in (I assume that one is used from work).

***YeOldeStonecat*** · 11-08-01, 03:18 PM

You asked what is better, the answer is 3COM. But will the average user even notice a difference? No. Will the extreme gaming enthusiast who insists on the absolute lowest ping and the absolute least CPU utilization notice a difference? Yes.

There's a difference, but most people won't notice it.

What are the differences? Well, for one...compatibility. Some NICs you have to wrestle in, others agree with just about every computer out there. Some NICs take a surge from a lightening strike better than others for networks that take hits. Some NICs have better hardware controller chips on them, and depend less on utilizing CPU cycles to operate. These NICs tend to perform better in circumstances where you have many concurrent connections, such as in servers. Take a piece of junk 20 dollar NIC and try to run a server on it at some LAN party with 20, 40, more, concurrent connections...I guarantee you lag and packet loss will happen. Take that same server and put in a nice 3COM 990xp NIC, under the same load, you'll see noticably better performance. Some NICs come with better drivers that are more compatible with software, and come with built in diagnostics, and drivers that let you manually specify settings, IRQ and I/O for those machines where you have to take over for Plug 'n Play.

**ChuckDees** · 11-08-01, 04:18 PM

I do play a lot of games all the time like Counter-Strike. As well as do other net related things.

So I should probably uninstall the Linksys and put in the 3Com?

**YARDofSTUF** · 11-08-01, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by ChuckDees
I do play a lot of games all the time like Counter-Strike. As well as do other net related things.

So I should probably uninstall the Linksys and put in the 3Com?

its up to u at this poitn, try them both if u like, see which u like better.

**ChuckDees** · 11-08-01, 04:39 PM

Will the 3COM give me better ping when playing games vs the Linksys?

**YARDofSTUF** · 11-08-01, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by ChuckDees
Will the 3COM give me better ping when playing games vs the Linksys?

ok i've said ti and otehrs have told u that there maybe a slight gain so so...

TRY IT OUT AND SEE IF IT DOES!

**ChuckDees** · 11-08-01, 04:47 PM

Do you know if the Linksys run off drivers or hardware?

**syncmaster** · 11-08-01, 04:48 PM

try them both if u like, see which u like better

We never say this, wen we talk about hardware ....

Any way , my friend , you will use your NIC with a DSL , its fine with that , but , your DSL it hads less bandwith than the bandwith that your NICs can handle .

So it does not matter ,what NIC you will use .
The bandwith of the DSL line ,is small for the NICs, i ven the most infirior NIC of 100Mbits , will handle it right .

YeOldeStonecat, said something that no one has noticed ,

Some NICs have better hardware controller chips on them, and depend less on utilizing CPU cycles to operate. These NICs tend to perform better in circumstances where you have many concurrent connections, such as in servers

So , as the job that you will use the NIC ,is not a demanding one .
The use of the one, or the other NIC , in praxis it will not make any diference .

**ChuckDees** · 11-08-01, 04:53 PM

I am only going to be using it for personal intertnet use and online gaming.

I'm not going to be running servers, Lans, or networks.

What do you think syncmaster?