Which card for a 40+MHz bus?

[Godfodda]

I asked a while back for recommendations for a NIC and got several responses... but still haven't bought one. :) From what I read then and have read since, 3com is good and Intel (or Intel chipset) is good. So I've narrowed it down to those 2. But I need a card that's going to work well at 40+MHz PCI bus speed. And lest I ask for too little, I'd like to keep the price low, too. :p

For refence, my current DSL setup is a Kingston KNE111TX through a Westell WireSpeed. I have also used an Efficient Networks 3060 internal DSL modem. Both of these run into problems in the mid 160s FSB (40+ PCI) with all types of transfers (web, ftp, etc.).

I shouldn't complain, but I still have room to move up in speed and I need my internet connection to follow. It's pointless for me to have a high OC and low/no transfers since browsing is my primary task. If anyone has run a NIC this high or can offer any suggestions here, I'd greatly appreciate the help. FYI, I recently was able to cycle through WinME at 180 FSB, so that's my target OC (unattainable, sure, but gotta have something to shoot for :) ). Sorry for asking the impossible, but I've gone speed crazy. :D TIA

[Godfodda]

bump

[William]

I think the two you are looking at are probably going to be your best bets. I have my Dlink DFE 530TX on a 41.5 mhz bus(83 * 1/2) with no problems but I am not sure how much farther it would go. They are like $15 at buy.com though. (I have had two of those cards this high but right now am running a 3COM SOHO100 with no probs too). I had some problems with the cheapo linksys card.

[Godfodda]

Thanks for the reply, William.

Anyone else have any ideas? Also, I'm ignorant of model differences with these (or any) brands. Any help there will also be greatly appreciated.

[Godfodda]

*bump*

[William]

usually there are several models in a run of network cards. This will have to do with features. One card may be a regular generic 10/100 card while one that costs $5 more will have wake on lan support which is really an IT thing. Some of the more expensive cards ($40+) will have an on board processor so the CPU does not have to compute the network signalling. THis is sort of like winmodem vs. hardware modem. Hope that helps.

[Super]

I bought a Netgear FA311. It can take 41.5MHz too, if it can take more I don't know. (was 29.99 CAD)

[[Oc]acaridans]

I have a older Intel and a D-link running at the same speed that William said and I dont have any problems either..I upgrades to the D-Link form the intel because the BestBuy in my area is selling them for under $10