In the physical layer the difference between NICs is basically what throughput and connects they can handle.
The only part of the OSI stack that the NIC handles is the physical layer, and the MAC sublayer. A protocol or model is just a specification of how devices/programs/etc should interface with each other, but the devices/programs will use different hardware/software to implement the same protocol.
Yes, the ISO protocol stack is standardized (that is the definition of a protocol: xmpp, http, IP, CDMA, OSI, etc), but the implementation (hardware used, software used, etc) is not. IF it wasn't they wouldn't be able to communicate natively. Therefor it's the EXACT same on EVERY SINGLE NETWORK DEVICE. Most hardware reviewers out there do not have technical backgrounds (including Linus). I agree that Logan does not appear to have a formal technical background, but I don't think that makes all of his reviews/opinions about hardware invalid (though I am sure he is wrong about some things, everyone is). So don't you think it is weird you consider Wendell is knowledgeable but Logan not? This sounds like a personal dislike for the guy. You think Wendell is knowledgeable, don't you think Logan runs his content by Wendell before it is released? I am willing to bet that Wendell would agree with most of what Logan says. Well Logan AND Wendell produce the Tek Syndicate's content. He could be refering to the OSI protocol stack, in which layers, such as the physical or data link layer, are implemented by the NIC and/or NIC drivers. You put words into his mouth, and then call him wrong. If you're just going to use your computer for general stuff most people use their computers for, then you will probably not notice any difference. What you get with a good Intel NIC compared to a bad low end NIC would be:Ģ) Probably wider hardware and software support (shouldn't really be an issue if you're just running Windows).ģ) It might use a few less CPU cycles, but it wouldn't really matter with a modern CPU. I have tried to find benchmarks with different NICs and the only thing I found was that Intel performs just the same as some low end Realtek NIC. I like Intel NICs because I've never had a problem with them. He probably heard about Intel I/OAT which, among other things, decreases the overhead when moving packets between buffers but that requires specially designed hardware that's typically only available on high end server equipment, and not consumer grade motherboards. If he's talking about for example the IP stack then he is wrong, because that's implemented in the OS (and the UEFI), not the NIC or NIC drivers. I'll see if I can find the video.ĭon't listen to Logan, he barely knows anything about anything (seriously, he just makes stuff up or has ready like half an article on something and then completely misinterprets it, but still talks as if he understands it). He backed this up by some numbers related to latency and throughput. I've heard Logan from Teksyndicate talk about Intel NICs haveing a better implementation of the protocol stack and having a better buffering system than competing solutions.