Suggestions please...

[JeffD78]

Okay. I wanna buy a couple of NIC cards and link my two computers together so I can play games and share files. What do I need to get? And who makes good stuff? There will only be two computers, so I don't need a hub or a switch yet.

Thanks in advance....

[ktwebb]

It is relative really. Cheap cards would do fine. The only thing you get when you buy a more expensive card (Intel, 3Com) is a better name on the card. Now, that does not mean that the cards are not better cards, but are they worth the extra money. Only you can decide that. Linksys and Netgear make pretty good kits. There are many low budget cards out there. Realtek, SMG, many really. They should all work ok for you. I would buy an 10/100 card if I were you. Even with only 2 PC's you will notice a difference if you are transferring files. On a personnel note, I would buy top tier cards if I was only going to purchase two cards. Peace of mind. Use PCI cards if you are going the 10/100 route. Even if you buy standard 10BaseT card, the PCI bus is much more eficient. If you do get the more expensive cards, I have had excellent experiences with the 3C905 family from 3Com, and just about any Intel card.

[tlwhite76]

JeffD78: I've used Realtek cards in my 4 computer home LAN for quite awhile. Usually available at computer shows in my area for about $12. Why spend more unless you're looking for special features.

[digital_rat]

IMHO i would stay with top named NICS
3com is an excellent nic and is proved
to have "low overhead" processor times