Are Realtek NICs really that bad?

[tillsense]

For many years I also have no problems with the Realtek chips / drivers on freebsd. There are still some apu1 (https://forum.opnsense.org/index.php?topic=4200.0) for now more about 7 years online (first time m0n0wall) and today with partially activated Suricata and more on OPNsense with Realtek RTL8111E. :)

cheers
till

[NetGobbler]

Why not purchase an Intel NIC with 2 or 4 ports that are refurbished.  They run around $30-100 and from I have seen typically have lifetime warranties from the seller. 

I have avoid realtek NIC due to have so many issues when running pf or opn, where there was not an issue with nor FW usage.  Once you start using IPS, proxy, and other advance capabilities did realtek start causing dropped packets, malformed, and other headaches.

The Realtek nic was less than half as expensive and I'm working in an ultra-small PC.   It's an M.2 A+E key ethernet card (22 x 30mm, tiny)    I can't add a multi-port Intel ethernet card.     

As for putting up with realtek quality, I continue to see a wide variety of opinions on their products and have done for near 20 years.     I can always learn a lesson and ditch it, if worst comes to worst