Consider upgrading to 10G for better performance.
Consider upgrading to 10G for better performance.
You've got a solid setup but there are still some performance considerations. A 1 GIG NIC can typically handle up to around 1000 Mbps under ideal conditions, though real-world speeds depend on your network load and hardware quality. With your current usage—especially during IP camera streaming—the effective throughput drops significantly. If you're seeing 550–600 Mbps under load, that suggests your NIC is nearing its capacity. Running at 40% CPU and 22% RAM use indicates the CPU isn't a major bottleneck, but the NIC might still be limiting performance. For home use with CAT5e cabling and spinning drives, a 10 Gbps connection could be worthwhile if you need high-speed downloads or streaming, but it may not be necessary unless you're doing heavy video editing or large file transfers. Consider upgrading to a higher speed NIC if you plan to scale further.
What purpose would you assign to the bandwidth next? Are you planning to mass download or just occasionally download a game and then stop? If the latter, then yes, you could do that, or you might wait a few more minutes for anything to finish downloading. Usually, game downloads are limited by the storage device they're on.
The 1Gig NIC supports up to 1024Mbps, which is near your target. Perhaps linking the NAS directly to the PC instead of using the router would work, avoiding the need for a new router and at least one cable—though not for 2.5G speeds. The available options are much better than 10G in this case.
It seems to depend heavily on your specific needs. If you're looking for performance gains, I'd consider 10Gbit. Otherwise, having double the local bandwidth would still offer value. I haven't seen much talk about 2.5Gbit switches yet, which might be a concern if you plan that path.
I got the concept from a Linux tutorial. Most of the 10-gigabit switches come with SFP ports I don’t need, and they’re typically handled automatically.
Certainly, the adapters work fine, but the more affordable Realtek models often come with weaker drivers and higher CPU usage. Plus, you might end up getting 10Gbps on the switch regardless, so it makes sense. Personally, my main switch is an MS510TXPP and I use a second one, the GS110EMX, for the TV area.