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The difference between integrated network card and external network card
2017-01-17
Integrated Network Card

Different computer users have different demands for the speed of network cards. Currently, there are two main types of network card on the market: integrated network card and external network card. So what is the difference between them, maybe there are some people want to know. They can be better used when we have a more fully understanding of them. 

What is integrated network card?

An integrated network card is an internal computer component that gives the machine the ability to connect to a network. The component might be designed to connect to a wired network, or to a wireless network. A machine might have also have both types of network cards installed. An integrated network card designed for wired networks is sometimes called an Ethernet card, while the wire-free cards are wireless cards.

integrated network card

What is external network card?

External network card is a device that plugs into the computer ports and allows machine to connect to a network. 

external network card
Now, we’ll introduce the difference between integrated network card and external network card from the following parts:
Performance and stability
The performance and stability of external network card is better than integrated network card after a long time use, and is not prone to packet loss in the data transmission.
CPU consumption
The CPU consumption of external network card is less than integrated network card when use, and the allocation is more reasonable when bandwidth is connected, so that to meet more use functions, especially to meet the different speed requirements of the office network.
Signal
There is a little difference on signal, the signal of external network card is better than integrated network card, but now can be ignored.
Cost
An external network card C requires extra money, while the integrated NIC is free. This is a very important factor when purchase.

Summary

In fact, there is no essential difference between integrated network card and external network card, only used in different ways of control in the server chips, and they only have the difference in the high-end Gigabit network, and there is no difference in household networks. Due to the cost of external network card is affordable, we suggest that it is better to choose external network card that have a stronger operability and easy to replace in case of damaging. 
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