GIGABIT LAN ON PCI?

[INSTINCT]

does anyone know if running a gigabit nic card on the pci bridge will garner equivilant performance as the one embedded in the motherboard?

Kat has had some feedback but i would like to see if anyone has tried gaming off the pci bridge?

the built in nic vs pci ..would the pci be laggier?  and does anyone know the diffent bus speeds and bandwidth comparisons?.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

I have never noticed any difference in PCI ethernet or onboard ethernet.  In actuality, the onboard should more than surfice as this will leave you an open PCI for other items.
There are applications for having both but not so much in a home environment. This was done as a 'Host' computer that acted as a hardware firwall whereas you had an internet connection and a home LAN.  A router now has taken that place so there really is no need for more than one ethernet.  IMHO the onbaord is the way to go, save your money.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Assuming all other things being equal, I'd rather use onboard.  It keeps that extra slot free and will improve cooling if the slot is below your video card.  That is becoming more of a problem with the more powerful cards requiring a larger heatsink and fan, overlapping into the next slot's space.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Exactly.  You may notice more and more motherboards coming out with less PCI slots.  Some have more PCIe slots than PCI.  I am seeing some nice MB with 1 PCI and one or two PCIe's.  This is because so many periphials are now included or external.