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Question

Desktop gigabit download speed help

Jul 14, 2019 11:24AM PDT

Hi,

I've recently installed gigabit internet via xfinity.

SPECS
desktop: windows 10, 32 gb ram, 4ghz amd 8350 processor, MSI 970 mobo w 10/100/1000* lan card.

modem: netgear nighthawk c7800 modem/router combo that my desktop is hardwired into.

I've tested the gigabit download speed by hard wiring a much weaker laptop that achieves 980 mbps using ookla and fast.com.
my hardwired xbox one achieves speeds around 700 mbps.
Using the same ethernet cable and testing mechanisms, my desktop download maxes out around 300 mbps.

I cannot access the modem from my desktop due to some restriction i do not understand, but i can access it wirelessly through my phone. I also have turned off VPN, firewall, and security software prior to testing. Given the circumstances, any ideas where the bottleneck is for my desktop and how to fix it?

Post was last edited on July 14, 2019 11:32 AM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I'd try the usual.
Jul 14, 2019 12:13PM PDT

1. Disable Microsoft's automatic driver update system (how is all over the web and not to be confused with Windows Update.)
2. Be sure the firmware for your PC is current. This will be the BIOS and on some PCs the Intel firmware for the Ethernet. These updates are at the motherboard maker and for the Ethernet I check the motherboard maker's page as well as Intel.com.

3. Now this is done we install the chipset driver from the maker or if they use an Intel chipset and the maker's web site is out of date, Intel.com.
4. Finally we install the Ethernet chipset driver package.

ANY VPN, or other packet inspecting antivirus or firewall is uninstalled during testing. Turning off has not been enough.

5. Be sure to test with other DNS choices. I use DNSBENCH to select my new DNS.

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Thanks!
Jul 14, 2019 1:41PM PDT

Per your recommendation, I updated the msi lan software and now my speed is around 700 mbps. thank you so much!

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Thanks for the update.
Jul 14, 2019 2:14PM PDT

Why this is, is Microsoft's idea of drivers is to supply/select what works for most as they do not invest the time to detect and install what the makers supply or what works best.