Ethernet cards

[chaltun]

Hi:

I'm fairly new to Ethernet cards. Do these cards limit themselves to speed? ie 50 Mbps, 100Mbps, 200Mbps...or is it one universal card for whatever speed you order thru your isp? Kindly help if you can in conjunction with subject product. Many Thanks.

Norman

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

chaltun

Yes, the cards ARE limited regarding the upper limit of the transport speed they will support.

Typical ranges are 100Mbit and 1000Mbit.

This is shown on the box, as the older enternet cards are typically labeled 10/100, and the newer ones Gigabit Internet.

However, to really get 1Gb ethernet through your ISP, you need to have an optical fibre connection -- and these are only available in limited areas.

Also, 1Gb enternet is typically very expensive, often amounting to several hundred dollars a month.

[rustyinvegas]

I recently upgraded to 1 GIG internet speed through CenturyLink Fiber Optic  service, new to my community.

However, my HP Pavilion 550-035Z CTO will only run, at the maximum, at 354 and 56 mips.  Century link installer thinks I need to upgrade my H/P Ethernet card, but I can't get any answersfrom them (on-line).  Can anyone advise me if 1) I need to replace my current Ethernet card?, and 2) what H/p or other company part number/name for an upgraded Ethernet card is necessary?  Thank you very much in advance for your help.  Can't get anyone to respond to any emails sent to H/P.  Not sure they want to sell any upgraded cards for their computers.  Don't know how to get an answer from them.