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Request assistance improving your internet connection.
I finally upgraded to a 1 gig connection. (ISP sent someone, installed a new Arris TG3452 modem) But I’m still not hitting the full 1 gig. The highest I’ve managed is about 280 Mbps when connecting a laptop directly via Cat 5e. On Wi-Fi I’m seeing 50-60 Mbps. Internet and phone service come in through coaxial cable. Online, the modem reports 1 gig, but my PC shows 1 gig too—though when checking Ethernet properties, it says 40 Mbps. My PC is set up through the modem into the router, then to the power line, then to the switch, and finally to the PC. All these paths support 1 gig, yet speeds vary so much between devices. I’m puzzled about the fluctuations and wondering if there’s a way to boost my connection closer to the expected rate. Thanks for any advice. Also, the router is an old Apple AirPort Extreme from late 2011—definitely not my favorite—and the power line is TPLink, which also supports 1 gig. The switch is TrendNet, compatible with it too.
Search for Cat6/Cat6E cables, it might make a difference. 40-50mbps on a few devices is typical with Wi-Fi, but if your device lacks Wi-Fi AC support, you'll lose bandwidth. Theoretical speed reaches 1gbps, though real performance depends on factors like nearby network usage or hardware limits. Have you tested transferring files locally via the local network instead?
So you getting 40 on your PC is predictable because you use a powerline. Powerlines aren't quite the best solution for latency or bandwidth. Also your "modem" is a combo box, just like the apple device. You can remove the apple box and connect the Arris box directly to the switch or powerline as you wish. A modem is used on copper connections to modulate (mod) and demodulate (em) the traffic and since you are on fiber, you have no modem. Then I'd ask the ISP for support, cause it looks like your uplink can't handle 1gig. Also use a cat 6 cable, because cat 5e is not what you want to be using for gigabit anyway, even if theoretically supports it.
I took out the apple router and configured a new network in the combo box earlier today. It messed up all my smart home devices, so I didn’t want to redo everything. I’m considering switching back to the old router until I get a replacement. I might test a Cat6 cable to check for improvement, but I’m likely reaching out to my ISP tomorrow. We’re doing many renovations now, so I plan to run Ethernet directly from the wall to my PC at some point.
I once had an issue with my PC using their verification tools—everything seemed fine until performance dropped. They never provided a dedicated test machine for direct modem testing. After two weeks of repeated tests and even visiting a friend with fiber, I swapped my network card and it worked. I think fiber connections should come with a test unit to ensure speed, saving everyone the hassle of troubleshooting alone.