Tuesday, May 11th 2010
Bigfoot Networks Unleashes Killer 2100, World's Fastest Gaming NIC
Bigfoot Networks, the networking technology company behind the Killer line of gaming networks cards, today announced Killer 2100, its next-generation network interface card (NIC) for online gaming. Killer 2100 combines elements of speed, intelligence and control demanded by gamers with major throughput and latency enhancements and an innovative and easy-to-use software interface. Killer 2100 epitomizes blazing speed and maximum performance as the fastest Gigabit NIC on the planet for gamers.
At the heart of Killer 2100 is Bigfoot Networks' groundbreaking Game Networking DNA technology, comprised of a dedicated network processor (NPU), Advanced Game Detect, Windows stack bypass, Visual Bandwidth Control and other optimizations designed to deliver the best online gaming experience possible. Game Networking DNA accelerates latency-sensitive game traffic while reducing stuttering, freezing and other symptoms of lag, giving online gamers a competitive edge.
"Killer 2100 is the fastest network card available for online games, period," said Michael Howse, CEO, Bigfoot Networks. "From its completely redesigned user interface and race-inspired outer casing to its high-performance Game Networking DNA software, everything about Killer 2100 screams speed and maximum performance."
Using the Gaming Network Efficiency test, a new benchmark that measures network latency during gaming scenarios, Killer 2100 clocked in at more than ten times faster than standard network interfaces on multicore gaming PCs with high-end graphics cards. The additional speed provided by Killer 2100 means players can achieve quicker response times, better in-game performance and higher scores.
"We saw a dramatic performance advantage over standard network interfaces in our Killer 2100 tests-an advantage that's big enough to change the online gaming experience," said Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research. "The Killer 2100 repeatedly delivered superior network latency on mainstream and enthusiast-class gaming PCs, and this difference could easily provide a winning edge to online gamers."
Killer 2100 is a plug-and-play solution that enables gamers at every level of experience to improve their online gaming with minimal setup. But for those who want to tune their PC, Killer 2100 offers powerful tools for monitoring and optimizing network performance. Visual Bandwidth Control provides real-time feedback about how Internet bandwidth is used on a per-application basis, making it easy for gamers to limit or block network-hungry applications. The Online Gaming PC Monitor feature gives players at-a-glance graphical displays and detailed logging so that they can track performance statistics such as CPU usage, memory usage and frame rate along with networking activity.
"As gamers, we don't want anything to get in the way of our skill," said Alex Garfield from top eSports team Evil Geniuses. "Killer 2100 gets our reactions and commands to the network faster than any other network card, letting us concentrate on the game without worrying about lag."
Specifications:
At the heart of Killer 2100 is Bigfoot Networks' groundbreaking Game Networking DNA technology, comprised of a dedicated network processor (NPU), Advanced Game Detect, Windows stack bypass, Visual Bandwidth Control and other optimizations designed to deliver the best online gaming experience possible. Game Networking DNA accelerates latency-sensitive game traffic while reducing stuttering, freezing and other symptoms of lag, giving online gamers a competitive edge.
"We saw a dramatic performance advantage over standard network interfaces in our Killer 2100 tests-an advantage that's big enough to change the online gaming experience," said Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research. "The Killer 2100 repeatedly delivered superior network latency on mainstream and enthusiast-class gaming PCs, and this difference could easily provide a winning edge to online gamers."
Killer 2100 is a plug-and-play solution that enables gamers at every level of experience to improve their online gaming with minimal setup. But for those who want to tune their PC, Killer 2100 offers powerful tools for monitoring and optimizing network performance. Visual Bandwidth Control provides real-time feedback about how Internet bandwidth is used on a per-application basis, making it easy for gamers to limit or block network-hungry applications. The Online Gaming PC Monitor feature gives players at-a-glance graphical displays and detailed logging so that they can track performance statistics such as CPU usage, memory usage and frame rate along with networking activity.
"As gamers, we don't want anything to get in the way of our skill," said Alex Garfield from top eSports team Evil Geniuses. "Killer 2100 gets our reactions and commands to the network faster than any other network card, letting us concentrate on the game without worrying about lag."
Specifications:
- 10/100/1000 Ethernet
- PCIe interface (x1 form factor)
- 400 MHz dedicated network processor
- 128 MB DDR2 RAM
- Performance-inspired housing
- Advanced Game Detect
- Visual Bandwidth Control
- Online Gaming PC Monitor
- Windows network stack bypass
- Optimized for use with voice chat applications
- Support for Windows 7, Vista & XP 32
52 Comments on Bigfoot Networks Unleashes Killer 2100, World's Fastest Gaming NIC
They seemed like a really great company with the original cards. Great support all around but, now I just can't stand behind them and recommend any of their products oh well. Makes me glad I got my M1 for super cheap on eBay...
hrm XD
What I should have said is that Bigfoot Network's target audience are gamers, who likely have a gaming machine, which would entail having a 64-bit OS (because they want to utilize that 6GB of ram or whatever, since I wouldn't call a machine with <4GB of ram much of a gaming machine, ram is cheap enough these days I would definitely buy more ram over this).
Exactly how hard is it to compile a driver with 64-bit support again?
Even so, I would still look at buying and/or modding my router before looking at this card.
Although, right now even, I improve my latency by simply choosing closer servers :D
People spend 100+ dollars more on video cards that only give a 1-5% increase in framerates on games versus thier 100 dollar less little brothers, so buying something like this really isn't all that crazy. Nobody says "its not worth it" when someone buys a brand new video card that cost 600+ and is only less than 10% faster than a 200 dollar graphics card.
... you still gawk at the uber systems, I'm sure, just like me lol.
I mean it was a big debate about this item before if it even worked the way it said, or was it just a better NIC with a gimmick to sell. I have personal experience with the item and it does work as it states, but how well? And is the price justified (Hell No)?
Review Please???
www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Bigfoot_Networks/KillerNIC_M1
so it has good insight into what some of the improvements will be to the new one.
I still think it is too much for what it does, but I would like to see a review of this new model.
Anyhow, I wouldn't buy this even if I was Bill Gates.
Back when they were first released (single core days) then they were good, but still expensive for what you got. Now they are just expensive for no improvement.
$94 after mail in rebate, I highly doubt even being able to afford this ram that I am going to go and buy this shit nic, if you cant affort 4Gb of ram you might want to consider a career change. (not directing this to you newtekie1)
IMO x64 bit OS's seem to perform faster than 32 bit Os's, especially in video encoding and gaming. Yup having both X64 OS and 4Gb+, 6Gb+ in my systems and yet I have no desire for this nic.
So...the KILLER cards are NICs that intend to enhance network stuff, games, but...How does this new iteration performs in non games stuff?
Many questions/scenarios, like:
How does it improves tansfers on the very system? Something akin to what TeraCopy <usually> does?
What about p2p? Not only in torrents but...say...emule; where it is usually kindda annoying how you got to test ports-forward-tweak firewalls, etc to get a good ping/rating connection <not to mention that i have had some troubles on getting kad connection on w7> Does this thing >could/can> adress such nuisances?
Or....what about streaming? Helps on getting something like youtube to behave better- OR more important to stream webcam signals better? With the advent of HD webcams I think thats a fair question.
And...and...well, those are the questions I can remember right now :p
Go on & throw your 2 cents guys.