Second NIC recommendation

[tboooe]

Hello, I was hoping I can get some advice for purchasing a second NIC for my PC. I have a Gigabyte Z77MX-D3H.

 

GIGABYTE - Motherboard - Socket 1155 - GA-Z77MX-D3H (rev. 1.0)

 

According to the specs my motherboard has 4 PCIE expansion slots with one being x16.

 

I've never purchased a NIC before and certainly have never purchased one just for audio so I am not sure what specs to look for (noise, etc). Can someone please recommend a top quality NIC for use in my audio PC.

 

Thank you!

[tboooe]

I forgot to add I am running Server R2 Essentials so availability of drivers is a concern for me too. I've read people have some issues with finding/installing NIC drivers for Server R2.

[mansr]

Anything made by Intel should be fine.

[Peter_T]

If you are planning to use the second NIC under W2012 : watch out for Intel.

Read the recent thread about Intel NIC problems under W2012 here.

 

There is a solution but it is not an easy one. I know, because I ran in similar problems as described in that thread.

[plissken]

If you are planning to use the second NIC under W2012 : watch out for Intel.

Read the recent thread about Intel NIC problems under W2012 here.

 

There is a solution but it is not an easy one. I know, because I ran in similar problems as described in that thread.

 

The linked thread is talking about a consumer board with integrated NIC. Almost any Intel PCI-e NIC should just work. If unsure Intel has a product support page that will list compatibility.

 

I'm running 2012R2 on a 4 machine cluster with Dual GB Intel NICs. The onboard 1GB is Realtek. It all works fine

[AudioPhil]

Hello

 

Yes i can confirm that. Practically every Intel NIC will just work fine. Aside from that Intel lists very clearly on its homepage which cards offers driver for Server 2012 R2 or Server 2016. Onboard NIC's from Intel can sometimes be a bit trickym but so far i never seen a card which a driver couldn't be installed for in the end.

 

Best,

AudioPhil

[Lebouwsky]

Not an expert, would'nt an USB nuc be convenient?

[tboooe]

Not an expert, would'nt an USB nuc be convenient?

Yes, absolutely. I have used USB to enternet adapters to create a second NIC but I want to do fiber optic. Plus I dont like the adapter just hanging off my PC...my OCD cant take it.

 

I ended up buying a used x520-da2 dual fiber nic from ebay.

[Lebouwsky]

Yes, absolutely. I have used USB to enternet adapters to create a second NIC but I want to do fiber optic. Plus I dont like the adapter just hanging off my PC...my OCD cant take it.

 

I ended up buying a used x520-da2 dual fiber nic from ebay.

 

Does that save one fmc upstream?

[tboooe]

Does that save one fmc upstream?

Exactly. That saves and FMC, a cat 5 or 6 cable. and a power supply. Plus I already have a switch with 2 fiber ports which is all I need so the only FMC I have is right before the NAA (PC or microrendu). I think the cleanup of my system alone is worth getting this NIC.

[Lebouwsky]

If I'm correct you have the NAA directly connected to your pc. With this setup you're on the "fronteer" side of this forum. Soldier on, looking forward to your findings. Enjoy listening.