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NIC for Pfsense Router setup

NIC for Pfsense Router setup

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shayt2005
Junior Member
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40
10-02-2025, 08:16 AM
#1
Hello, I'm preparing a router using an old PC (Core 2 Duo) for my home office. The PC has just one NIC with a 10/100 Mbps speed. I need two additional NICs for two ISPs, but I'm unsure which speed is more suitable while staying affordable. My current connection speeds are: ISP 1 offers 2 Mbps upload and 2 Mbps download; ISP 2 provides 1 Mbps upload and 10 Mbps download. I plan to purchase one 1 Gbps NIC and one 100 Mbps NIC, using the two 100 Mbps ones for my ISPs and the 1 Gbps one for my switch and LAN connection. Please note that in my country it's difficult to locate or buy a 1 Gbps NIC, especially four of them. The only Intel models available are 100 or 1000 Mbps, and I can only find three locally.
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S
shayt2005
10-02-2025, 08:16 AM #1

Hello, I'm preparing a router using an old PC (Core 2 Duo) for my home office. The PC has just one NIC with a 10/100 Mbps speed. I need two additional NICs for two ISPs, but I'm unsure which speed is more suitable while staying affordable. My current connection speeds are: ISP 1 offers 2 Mbps upload and 2 Mbps download; ISP 2 provides 1 Mbps upload and 10 Mbps download. I plan to purchase one 1 Gbps NIC and one 100 Mbps NIC, using the two 100 Mbps ones for my ISPs and the 1 Gbps one for my switch and LAN connection. Please note that in my country it's difficult to locate or buy a 1 Gbps NIC, especially four of them. The only Intel models available are 100 or 1000 Mbps, and I can only find three locally.

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Yochy_m8
Junior Member
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45
10-02-2025, 08:16 AM
#2
Your plan looks solid. Opt for slower connections over the internet and quicker ones for local file transfers on the LAN.
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Yochy_m8
10-02-2025, 08:16 AM #2

Your plan looks solid. Opt for slower connections over the internet and quicker ones for local file transfers on the LAN.

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captinmac
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61
10-02-2025, 08:16 AM
#3
Seek Intel or BroadCom based network cards, ensure driver support is solid. Look for a Quad Port 1Gbit Intel adapter on eBay—they’re affordable now. Example link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intel-PRO-100...2432273970
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captinmac
10-02-2025, 08:16 AM #3

Seek Intel or BroadCom based network cards, ensure driver support is solid. Look for a Quad Port 1Gbit Intel adapter on eBay—they’re affordable now. Example link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intel-PRO-100...2432273970

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Dracode
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150
10-02-2025, 08:16 AM
#4
Hello, I already own two new nics, but I’m thinking about getting an Intel Pro 4x NIC in the future. So far, with a VPN and PFSense, I can merge my two speeds into one, achieving around 12 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Currently, my download is only 3 Mbps and upload is 2.25 Mbps because my ISP still can’t boost to 10 Mbps. I’m planning to switch to another ISP, but the first option needs an inter NIC since my motherboard only has two PCI slots, both of which are occupied by my current connections.
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D
Dracode
10-02-2025, 08:16 AM #4

Hello, I already own two new nics, but I’m thinking about getting an Intel Pro 4x NIC in the future. So far, with a VPN and PFSense, I can merge my two speeds into one, achieving around 12 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. Currently, my download is only 3 Mbps and upload is 2.25 Mbps because my ISP still can’t boost to 10 Mbps. I’m planning to switch to another ISP, but the first option needs an inter NIC since my motherboard only has two PCI slots, both of which are occupied by my current connections.

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