The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answers are B. to increase bandwidth and E. to have wireless connectivity.
A Network Interface Card, or NIC, is the hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network. Upgrading this component is typically done to improve network performance or add new capabilities. The two most common and direct reasons for an upgrade are to increase bandwidth and to gain wireless connectivity.
To Increase Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be transferred over a network connection. It is a fundamental specification of any NIC. Older computers might have NICs that support speeds of only 100 megabits per second (Mbps). In contrast, modern networks, including routers, switches, and internet plans, commonly operate at 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), which is 1,000 Mbps, or even faster. If a computer with a 100 Mbps NIC is connected to a 1 Gbps network, the NIC becomes a significant bottleneck, preventing the computer from taking full advantage of the available speed.
By upgrading to a 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps NIC, a user can dramatically improve network performance. This leads to faster file transfers to and from other computers or network attached storage (NAS) devices, quicker downloads from the internet, smoother streaming of high definition 4K video, and lower latency in online gaming. For anyone who works with large files or demands high performance from their network, increasing bandwidth is a primary reason to upgrade their NIC.
To Have Wireless Connectivity
Another major reason for a NIC upgrade is to add a new type of functionality, specifically wireless connectivity. Many desktop computers and some older laptops are built with only a wired Ethernet NIC, requiring a physical cable to connect to a network. If a user wishes to connect to a Wi-Fi network for convenience, mobility, or because a wired connection is impractical, they must install a wireless NIC (WNIC). This upgrade provides the computer with the ability to detect and connect to wireless networks, freeing the user from the constraints of an Ethernet cable. This is not necessarily an upgrade for speed, but rather one for functionality and flexibility, allowing the computer to be placed anywhere within range of a Wi-Fi signal.
The other options are incorrect. Implementing a RAID is related to storage drives and controllers, not networking. A higher sample rate is a feature of a sound card for audio processing. Finally, while a faster NIC would help import videos over a network more quickly, “to import videos” is an activity, not a direct hardware feature you upgrade for.
