[Tfug] 3com NIC

[johngalt]

Harry McGregor wrote:
> On Fri, 29 Nov 2002, Mike Morrell wrote:
>
>>   I was going to upgrade some of my network cards to 3com's
>> 3C905B-TX but I found some 3C595-TX for a bit cheaper.

How much cheaper?

>> Is there any
>> reason to choose one over the other?

It depends on your requirements, perhaps. Newer often means better.

> I don't really like either card, though I have used a ton of each.
> The 3c595 has been out of production for quite a long time, and is a
> very big PCI card.  The 3c905 has reduced the number of chips on the
> card, reducing it's power usable, and heat generation.  Depending on
> what your uses are, my current recommended network card is the
> cheapy, $5-15 Realtek 8139 based cards.
>
> I have seen several cases where SiS, 3Com, and Intel Cards would not
> connect to a device, and the realtek would (ie Qwests new DSL
> routers).

Yeah, I've seen 3com NICs fail to properly autonegociate. Just force the
proper speed parameter and that will usually take care of things. This
problem happens for me often when the NIC is attached to garbage or odd
hardware. (Trendnet, etc. found at SWS, E-city or Elliott - think cheap)

Usually you get what you paid for. I got an RTL 8139 for free after rebate
at Office Max this weekend. This, I'll play around with at home.

What is the purpose for upgrading, Mike? What are you using now? What is the
application?

John.

>
> Harry
>
>> Mike
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