Seeking maximum performance from your full fiber connection of 500 Mbps
Seeking maximum performance from your full fiber connection of 500 Mbps
I'm seeing about 90mbps on Wi-Fi and I'm frustrated with only a fifth of the speed available. Having a solid connection is crucial for gaming and downloading. The TP-link 717 powerline adapter performed well with the 74 Mbps plan but now tops out around 110 Mbps after upgrading to 500 Mbps. I need advice on improving low latency and download speeds. The main issue is that my router is in a fixed location and can't be relocated or wired. TLDR: I'm on Wi-Fi (90mbps), want better performance + lower ping, but can't use Ethernet.
I also ran a speed test on my phone while seated at the PC, getting 200 Mbps there. But only 80 on the PC. It’s odd since I saw 300 before using Wi-Fi on the PC, but it changes a lot. My motherboard is B550 Tomahawk and I’m using a network interface card. Do you have a suggested mesh device to connect between the router and my PC?
That Wi-Fi AC adapter performs around 300-350mbps in ideal settings right next to the router. Do you have any unused coax cables around your home or apartment? If yes, MoCA could be a good option for connecting. Otherwise, we’d need a basic overview of your living space and any barriers such as construction materials.
Mesh typically refers to a setup you install. You’d have to swap your router for one that works with mesh technology. Various firms design these networks, while brands like ASUS integrate them into their devices, letting you assemble the network by combining different routers.
I don’t have any coax cables, but I attempted to sketch the wiring. The blue circle at the top right is the router, and the bottom right is upstairs. The red box represents my setup. I think we use foil insulation, and since I’m above the kitchen, the Wi-Fi must pass through a wall before reaching the floor. Let me know if this makes sense.
Foil insulation will definitely reduce Wi-Fi performance. Consider switching to a mesh network because you lack the coax cable needed for MoCA. Asus offers a good mesh solution, though it can be expensive. You might also explore alternatives from Google, Netgear, TP-Link, Eero, etc.
It's important to replace the M.2 card in that PCIe adapter with either the Intel AX210 or BE200. Experiment with the antenna placement—if your body is between the antenna and the router, performance will drop. Ideally position it as high as possible to minimize obstacles; shifting it around can yield unexpected results because of reflections.