A method for processing network data includes collecting by a network interface controller (NIC), a plurality of transmit (TX) buffer indicators into a plurality of priority lists of connections. Each of the plurality of TX buffer indicators identifies transmit-ready data located externally to the NIC and not previously received by the NIC. One or more of the plurality of TX buffer indicators may be selected. The identified transmit-ready data may be retrieved into the NIC based on the selected one or more of the plurality of TX buffer indicators. At least a portion of the identified transmit-ready data may be transmitted. Each of the plurality of priority lists may be generated based on a particular connection priority characteristic and a particular connection type. The identified transmit-ready data may be associated with the same connection priority characteristic and the same connection type.