Intel – NIC/PCiE up to 1Gb RJ45 x 1 Single (I210T1)

I use this Intel I210-T1 network card in a homemade router (OpenWRT) with SQM, and frankly, I have no complaints. It is extremely stable, even under load, with no packet loss or strange behaviour. Intel drivers are robust and well supported, whether on Linux or BSD, which is clearly a big plus for this type of use. I would definitely recommend it for a homemade SQM router.

This NIC works well and does exactly what it's supposed to.

This network card has proved to be both 'fast' and reliable over a number of weeks. I will update this review if I experience any problems with the card.

While my download speeds and upload speeds are similar to the built in Realtek ethernet on my desktop PC and the Killer ethernet on my laptop, my ping dropped by 6ms. Internet browsing and streaming is snappier for sure, but for online gaming, where there is much more ping to begin with because of where the servers are, it won't make much of a difference. My Overwatch ping with the built in ethernet is 60ms and with this its 50ms, so in that context there won't be much of an observable difference.

I needed a NIC for AoIP using AES67 so it had to support IEEE 1558. This card uses the Intel i210-T1 chipset so just what I needed but thankfully at about half the price of an Intel branded card. It was recognised immediately by Windows and drivers loaded. Intel have just released updated drivers so downloaded those for extra functionality. The card is very cleanly made and comes with both full size and low profile adapters, these are good quality, easy to exchange and made of decent metal. (not bendy with sharp edges!) It uses the short PCI slot so doesn't take up much space inside your machine. HP have lots of servers and business PCs out in the market and aren't going to risk grief by making a duff product.