CPU/Mobo Onboard 2.5Gbe Ethernet LAN Intel vs Realtek

Onboard 2.5G Ethernet LAN Intel vs Realtek

  • Intel

    Votes: 2 66.7%

  • Realtek

    Votes: 1 33.3%
  • Total voters
    3
  • This poll will close: .
DigitalDude

DigitalDude

Level G
What is the difference between Intel and Realtek for 2.5Gbe onboard LAN in the desktop motherboard?

I see many high end boards have Intel LAN chip but some also have Realtek chip esp. if it is 5Gbe LAN. Almost all low end and cheap boards have Realtek LAN chip (usually RTL8125). Should we avoid the v boards with Realtek LAN? What is the driver situation for Linux?

The wifi chip is just an m.2 module which can be replaced. So need not be that concerned about it but LAN is permanent. (yes we could get a USB/Pcie LAN but that is not the point)

What chip is in your mobo and were there any issues? Preferably the 2.5Gbe ones.
 
In systems that are part of a virtualization cluster (up 24/7), none of the onboard solutions on desktop boards have been reliable. They will lockup and drop links, whether it's Intel 1Gbe or Realtek's 2.5Gbe. I've had about half my nodes affected like this.

I suspect it's an airflow issue because the port starts working again after a cool down period. But I'm hesitant to trust them again so I just started using inexpensive add-in cards instead.

TP-Link's PCIe ethernet adapter which is realtek based has had far fewer failures, about 1 in 20 but that one failed card never recovered. So it was probably a manufacturing fluke.

Most people (LTT, et al) also do not prefer Aquantia's 10Gbe adapters (for reasons I have not investigated) but they work very well for me, as add-in cards (no experience with onboard).

Very surprisingly, ASIX's usb ethernet adapters have been exceptionally reliable, even if they're connected to the chipset ports instead of processor's USB ports. Easily more reliable than than onboard for the same (heavy) use case.
 
Realtek drivers suck for the most devices, and most of the networking and Linux community hates them with their gut. For gaming PCs and non-mission critical work, doesn't really matter. I personally prefer intel NICs, but haven't ever tried anything other than gigabit networking.
 
Back
Top