Killer NIC

[AvalancheDiode]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/killer-nic-network,2035.html

So, this thing might not be THAT useless after all. I'm still waiting to see some numbers on it. They said that the thing works like this:

Most NIC on your motherboards are software driven, which relies on CPU to do all the work. They are mostly optimized for uploading/downloading so that packets may wait until enough data is collected (both from and to) before sending or triggering an interruption. Killer NIC is optimized to process time-relevant data packet so that games can run better, and trigger more network interruptions to CPU so that it can get data just in time, instead of waiting for a full off-load, hence increase frame rate.

I won't call that a total BS, and I do think Killer NIC is good. The only problem is that they are hyping the price for something that should cost $50 tops. PCMCIA version may justify that cost. The place that I work has MAC number lock, and I would like to have a NIC card to get around that.

[Flt. Sgt. Powderhound]

Re: Killer NIC

On the other hand, review samples of theirs seem to have a tendency not to arrive, and it is hideously overpriced for the real world benefit, however a clever solution it is.
I read elsewhere that they are really targetting it at the wrong audience, as hard core linux nuts (like yourself IIRC.. ) are more likely to able to find a use for a Linux-based PC within a PC.

[Warhawk]

Re: Killer NIC

how much is it? $ I didn't see any prices

[megawhompertoo]

Re: Killer NIC

Ok, so the engineer behind it all isn't a schmuck. I'll give him that.

On the other hand, just how much lag does he think a dual/quad-core processor is going to make you suffer because it is coordinating comms in software? On par with the amount of lag caused by having something plugged into USB?

And just how inefficient for gaming is the windows stack? I guess the answer is exactly $150 less efficient, according to Bigfoot.

I wish him the best of luck; I'm sure there are people that take gaming seriously enough that when they get P.O.'d about missing a headshot, they'll blame lag and pull out the mastercard. All-in-all though, KillerNic looks like a product solely for people with transparent case windows, just as it always has been :P

how much is it? $ i didn't see any prices

$150 u.s.

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Killer NIC

For $150 you can upgrade your CPU and heatsink, and OC you CPU and get a lot more than buying a Killer NIC.

[Hellsent 2.0]

Re: Killer NIC

wow thats a low price...here they are £170..thats about $340...

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Killer NIC

wow thats a low price...here they are £170..thats about $340...

Wow, what's the main online hardware site in the UK? Scan? You can get a Q9450 or an E8600 from there for about the same price. :hmm:

[=)BiT(= Evant3k]

Re: Killer NIC

I never thought these things work at all, maybe they do but it would be unnoticeable for the average gamer I suppose.