Onboard -vs- PCI NIC

Ishtim · 12th Apr 2008, 11:23 AM

Someone has asked my opinion on the NIC comparison so I figure I would get everyone elses opinion too...

Onboard -vs- PCI NIC, is thier an advantage?

Zenphic · 12th Apr 2008, 11:43 AM

Most onboard stuff like audio, NIC and video have been greatly improved nowadays. The only downside about them is that they use additional ressources from the processor and the chipset and might not be as efficient as a dedicated NIC.

Moving to a PCI NIC should likely take some load off the processor and improve the overall speed of the system (i.e. Ping times).

Lacus · 12th Apr 2008, 01:51 PM

Well, i was thinking just the same thing too. Just think bout it. If onboard NIC, if lightning strikes that port, most likely it cannot be replaced. While as for PCI-NIC, it is possible to change it without changing a new mobo if NIC was onboard

...So there are actually pro and cons..Heck, do they even still manufacture PCI-NIC o_O

jasperchc · 12th Apr 2008, 03:18 PM

onboard use additional resource from the CPU? i think even the PCI version also will use the CPU resource unless there is a dedicated processor on the card itself which i dont think there is.

So for network card, i woud say they should be the same as the motherboard manufacturer simply build it into the board as network access is no longer a privilege, its a necessasity nowadays.

Chai · 12th Apr 2008, 07:49 PM

It has got nothing to do with using more system resources. Only cheap onboard sound that requires more CPU resources to decode EAX or related 3D sound. Both onboard and PCI NIC should consume similar amount of resources.

PCI card might be slower because gigabit NIC requires more bandwidth than PCI bus can offer. But then, it also depends whether the onboard NIC is using PCI bus or PCIe bus. My Abit IP35 Pro uses onboard gigabit NIC, but it runs on PCI bus, so it cannot hit the gigabit speed.

AnandTech: abit IP35-Pro: Houston, We Have a Winner

Conclusion, it will only be an issue if you are using gigabit NIC.

Mac Daddy · 12th Apr 2008, 08:20 PM

Everything onboard is getting better I have an Auzentech X-Plosion sitting here I might stick back in my old machine. This Realtek onboard audio supports DTS connect and 7.1 digital surround so I really don't need it on here.

Adrian Wong · 13th Apr 2008, 02:01 AM

Yeah, whether it is built into the motherboard or not does not necessarily mean it will consume more CPU resources. Onboard audio chips are usually just audio codecs that require the CPU to do the actual job. On the other hand, onboard GPUs are actually true processors and offload the work, so there's very little CPU utilization.

Onboard NICs, like Chai mentioned, should not use any more system resources than separate network cards. His explanation on PCI vs. PCIe is also correct. You have to check your motherboard's design though. Some motherboards designs place the onboard Gigabit LAN on the PCI bus while others put it on the PCIe bus. Naturally, you should try to put it on the PCIe bus.

Other than that... onboard NICs should cost less (more or less free!) and use less power. Of course, using the onboard NIC would save space and a slot. It should also improve the circulation inside your case!

Zenphic · 13th Apr 2008, 03:30 AM

Hmmm.. I guessed I generalized too much about onboard devices there. I figured they followed the same trend of how onboard audio used the CPU and decreased performance like in games.

Lacus · 13th Apr 2008, 03:01 PM

Thats true but what if the NIC port on the mobo suddenly malfunction

..We either have to rma it or actually get another new NIC card eh?

Adrian Wong · 14th Apr 2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lacus

Thats true but what if the NIC port on the mobo suddenly malfunction

..We either have to rma it or actually get another new NIC card eh?

Yup, either RMA the motherboard (if it's still covered by warranty) or get a separate NIC.

12th Apr 2008, 11:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ishtim Super Moderator Join Date: 14 May 2003 Location: Alabama, USA Posts: 3,604 Reputation: 2688 Rep Power: 35	Onboard -vs- PCI NIC Someone has asked my opinion on the NIC comparison so I figure I would get everyone elses opinion too... Onboard -vs- PCI NIC, is thier an advantage?

12th Apr 2008, 03:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
jasperchc Active Join Date: 25 Aug 2005 Location: Kuching, MY Posts: 542 Reputation: 48 Rep Power: 4	onboard use additional resource from the CPU? i think even the PCI version also will use the CPU resource unless there is a dedicated processor on the card itself which i dont think there is. So for network card, i woud say they should be the same as the motherboard manufacturer simply build it into the board as network access is no longer a privilege, its a necessasity nowadays. __________________ "There is nothing to fear but fear itself" (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

12th Apr 2008, 07:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 26,115 Reputation: 3845 Rep Power: 70	It has got nothing to do with using more system resources. Only cheap onboard sound that requires more CPU resources to decode EAX or related 3D sound. Both onboard and PCI NIC should consume similar amount of resources. PCI card might be slower because gigabit NIC requires more bandwidth than PCI bus can offer. But then, it also depends whether the onboard NIC is using PCI bus or PCIe bus. My Abit IP35 Pro uses onboard gigabit NIC, but it runs on PCI bus, so it cannot hit the gigabit speed. AnandTech: abit IP35-Pro: Houston, We Have a Winner Conclusion, it will only be an issue if you are using gigabit NIC. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

12th Apr 2008, 08:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mac Daddy Pickin' Da Gitfiddle Join Date: 19 Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2,048 Reputation: 802 Rep Power: 11	Everything onboard is getting better I have an Auzentech X-Plosion sitting here I might stick back in my old machine. This Realtek onboard audio supports DTS connect and 7.1 digital surround so I really don't need it on here. __________________

13th Apr 2008, 02:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my BenQ Joybook 7000 notebook! Posts: 29,426 Reputation: 2830 Rep Power: 63	Yeah, whether it is built into the motherboard or not does not necessarily mean it will consume more CPU resources. Onboard audio chips are usually just audio codecs that require the CPU to do the actual job. On the other hand, onboard GPUs are actually true processors and offload the work, so there's very little CPU utilization. Onboard NICs, like Chai mentioned, should not use any more system resources than separate network cards. His explanation on PCI vs. PCIe is also correct. You have to check your motherboard's design though. Some motherboards designs place the onboard Gigabit LAN on the PCI bus while others put it on the PCIe bus. Naturally, you should try to put it on the PCIe bus. Other than that... onboard NICs should cost less (more or less free!) and use less power. Of course, using the onboard NIC would save space and a slot. It should also improve the circulation inside your case! __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? Keep Tech ARP free! Visit our sponsors! We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

12th Apr 2008, 11:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zenphic Active Join Date: 23 Apr 2006 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 694 Reputation: 176 Rep Power: 4	Most onboard stuff like audio, NIC and video have been greatly improved nowadays. The only downside about them is that they use additional ressources from the processor and the chipset and might not be as efficient as a dedicated NIC. Moving to a PCI NIC should likely take some load off the processor and improve the overall speed of the system (i.e. Ping times).

12th Apr 2008, 01:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lacus Active Join Date: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 700 Reputation: 128 Rep Power: 2	Well, i was thinking just the same thing too. Just think bout it. If onboard NIC, if lightning strikes that port, most likely it cannot be replaced. While as for PCI-NIC, it is possible to change it without changing a new mobo if NIC was onboard ...So there are actually pro and cons..Heck, do they even still manufacture PCI-NIC o_O

13th Apr 2008, 03:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Zenphic Active Join Date: 23 Apr 2006 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 694 Reputation: 176 Rep Power: 4	Hmmm.. I guessed I generalized too much about onboard devices there. I figured they followed the same trend of how onboard audio used the CPU and decreased performance like in games.

13th Apr 2008, 03:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
Lacus Active Join Date: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 700 Reputation: 128 Rep Power: 2	Thats true but what if the NIC port on the mobo suddenly malfunction ..We either have to rma it or actually get another new NIC card eh?