Need help choosing what kind of NIC I need for my motherboard

KEdwards · February 2021

I have a MSI x399 Carbon gaming motherboard, the integrated NIC is performing poorly, more so over time. I need to figure out what type of replacement card I can install, PCI or PCI-e...its been a while since I've built a PC, I had this one built, I dont know crap about this anymore.

JimB · February 2021

I'd go with PCI-e since you have 6 on the board. Doesn't matter 3.0 or 2.0 I wouldn't imagine. You'd probably want to reserve the 3.0 slots for something else, so the 2.0 would work fine. Here's a good one:

Intel Gigabit CT PCI-E Network Adapter EXPI9301CTBLK

JS_MC · February 2021

Hello @KEdwards

We have a wide selection of network adapters.

Here are a few that I'd recommend.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/408947/tp-link-gigabit-pci-express-network-adapter

Here's the device that @JimB linked above

https://www.microcenter.com/product/360498/intel-expi9301ct-gigabit-pcie-x1-adapter

Lastly here's a 10G adapter.

https://www.microcenter.com/product/481322/asus-xg-c100c-10g-network-adapter-pci-e-x4-card

When you mention that the current NIC isn't performing as expected what do you mean? Have you checked to ensure that all chipset drivers are up to date?

Need help choosing what kind of NIC I need for my motherboard

Best Answer

I'd go with PCI-e since you have 6 on the board. Doesn't matter 3.0 or 2.0 I wouldn't imagine. You'd probably want to reserve the 3.0 slots for something else, so the 2.0 would work fine. Here's a good one:

Intel Gigabit CT PCI-E Network Adapter EXPI9301CTBLK

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