Network Cards and Cable Modems?

[ion 55]

Hey what do you guys think are the best NICs out there for a Cable Modem. I need a good one because I have experienced dropped packets and such in Q3A and general surfing. Help me out here money is no object.

ion

P.S. I currently have an Intel 10/100 Pro Management Network Adapter, is it any good?

 

[Log]

I'm happy with my Netgear card, stay away from Linksys like the plague though.

 

[flacoman]

Netgear FA310TX ... 25 bux at bestbuy , driver support for every o/s out there. Humming away on my GI Surfboard 1200

 

[bwp73]

I've got a Dlink in my workstation that hasn't been a problem but if you plan on using win2k, like Log said...stay away from the linksys. I couldn't get that POS working for the life of me even with the so called Win2k drives that they had psoted on their site.

 

[tkbrewer]

Netgear makes a heck of a card (owned by Bay Networks), In my main system I use the FA310TX Fast Ethernet Controller.

I'll agree with the above post to a certain extent concerning linksys. I don't like there Ethernet adapters, I don't know how many times there drivers have crapped out on me, or the card has gone wacky. There other equipment is fine though..

Other good brands: 3com (I run an all 3com shop at work, great stuff but a little expensive), D-Link isn't too bad either, and I personally like the Intel Ethernet adapters quite a bit.


But on the subject of dropped packets, it could very well be your cable modem causing this instead, @home is infamous for there <sarcasm>Wonderful Service</Sarcasm>.

 

[ion 55]

tkbrewer (or anyone else): speaking in general, will a cable modem service provider CARE that I am dropping packets while gaming or surfing. While surfing it happens sporadically, but while gaming it is horrid. For instance, while playing Q3A, I type in a command in the console to show the dropped packets. Hell, in the first 20 seconds I get 20+ lines showing the dropped packets. While surfing it'll take forever for a page to load (even Yahoo).

Any ideas guys?

ion

 

[bwp73]

I guess it would depend on your provider. Other factors could play into that as well though.....line condition, amount of people on your backbone (cable users), what's going on at the other end. You never know though until you call'em. Look at it like this....You have everything to gain and nothing to loose. You may get lucky and they may find a problem.
Good Luck

 

[Built My First]

I would go with the 3Com 3c905B-TX-NM (or M)

BMF

 

[Gilgamesh]

I have both the 3com 905B-TX-NM and the Netgear FA310TX and I like them both.

As far as the packet loss problem, if it's that bad I would contact tech support for your provider, I don't think it shouldn't be that nasty.

 

[Built My First]

Actually the best deal right now is the 2 Intels for $39.00

http://www.adviceforpcs.com/network/category.asp?category=adapters

BMF

 

[Yang]

I have the cards BMF is talking about, there great. But I think the reason you are experincing PL probably isn't your computer it is most likely your ISP. Most people I have talked to that have cable modems experiance high PL. One way I read about that might help speed up you cable modem is this http://www.speedguide.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/003979.html