NetworkInterfaceCard
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Bigfoot updates gaming NICs, practices blatant bandwidth favoritism
You didn't shell out on a monster graphics card only to see your YouTube-worthy Black Ops killstreak interrupted by a network slowdown, did you? Well, Bigfoot's tried and tested solution to limited bandwidth is smarter network management -- delivered most recently by the "Advanced Stream Detect" technology in its Killer Wireless N adapters. ASD is meant to automatically classify traffic and prioritize gaming, video and audio streams that demand consistently high network performance. Now the company has annouced at Computex that it's extending this capability to its older standalone Killer 2100 NIC as well as the E2100 embedded NICs in gaming motherboards from MSI, ASUS and Gigabyte. Owners of any of these products can benefit from a "free and easy" software update via Bigfoot's website -- you'll find full instructions in the PR after the break. Go on, kill, kill, kill.
Bigfoot intros lower-end Killer K1 network interface card
Perhaps a $250 network interface card was a bit too much for your wallet to handle, and even after reading the review, you were left wishing that Bigfoot would introduce a slightly less-spec'd rendition for the budget-minded set. If that's you, today's your lucky day, as you can take the money you didn't end up spending on an overpriced-for-the-day bouquet of roses yesterday and put it towards a probably unnecessary NIC. Similar to its big brother, the PCI-based Killer K1 boasts Lag & Latency Reduction (LLR) technology that "optimizes the way networking works in your computer" in order to deliver the best possible ping times. Moreover, it touts gigabit speeds, a 333MHz network processing unit which runs a unique version of Linux to remove the burden of processing packets from your CPU, 64MB of DDR RAM, a USB 2.0 port for future FNApps upgrades, and support for both Windows XP and Vista. Of course, with a card that looks this good, you'll probably end up forking out for an acrylic case while you're at it, but the Killer K1 itself can be picked up now for a "special price" of $149.99.[Via ExtremeTech]
Bigfoot's Killer Network Interface Card reviewed
We were never ones to stand in the way of pure gamer PC overkill, and Bigfoot's Killer Network Interface Card (NIC) fits that bill nicely. They've managed to take a commodity PC component and build $280 PCI card around it, complete with 64MB of DDR RAM and a 400MHz processor. Cries of extortion and vaporware have been leveled, but now that IGN have got their hands on the device, they seem to think it's worth the hyperbole. One thing they were careful to point out before firing it up is that the Killer NIC runs Linux, so that processor and RAM can be put to more use than just routing your frags -- a firewall or a bit of anti-virus software could reside right on the card to check over data before it even gets to your PC, and IGN figures a BitTorrent client would be possible, allowing for full-speed gaming while you use any remaining bandwidth for downloading that dev release of Leopard. As far as actual gaming performance, IGN's preliminary results were fairly impressive. The card bumped the framerate on the bundled F.E.A.R. from 74 to 86 fps, and the ping went from an average of 67ms to 45ms. If you're seriously considering dropping the cash you might want to wait around for a bit more scientific testing, but so far things aren't looking too good for Mr. Videogame's budget and his killjoy Excel spreadsheet of doom.
Bigfoot introduces the Killer Network Interface card
You think you're a hardcore gamer? Really? If you've been looking for the latest piece of hardware to give yourself the one-up, Bigfoot's got you covered. The aptly named Killer Network Interface card just might be the most unique gamer-centric component we've seen; this amped up gigabit NIC has its own 400Mhz network processing unit, 64MB of dedicated DDR RAM, a USB 2.0 port, and touts itself as one of the first consumer uses of Corporate Network Acceleration Technology. So these CAT6-melting specs have to amount to something, right? Gamers can supposedly expect to see noticeable improvements in first-person shooters as well as consistently lower ping times as the self-proclaimed "LLR Technology" offloads network tasks from the CPU to the Killer's NPU. Although pricing is currently unavailable, the tricked-out NIC will be available starting August 16th; for now we'll reserve judgment about how this thing just screams "overkill" on one of the more basic functions of any computer, and bask in its extravagant frivolity. [Via Crowdedbrain]
