Upcoming network update in the next release.
Upcoming network update in the next release.
Hey there! I'm trying to figure out how to improve my internet speed and was thinking about using a different connection method. Right now, I have a Cat6 cable coming into my room, but it's only about 2 feet long, which is why I switched to a Gigabit switch a few years back. I connected the Cat6 cable to the incoming port and then used a Cat7 cable from the switch to my PC. My download speeds have always stayed around 100 Mbps, so there were no issues before.
Recently, I upgraded to a 900 Mbps plan with my ISP, but I still see strong performance on my motherboard, Cat6, and Cat7 connections. The switch I'm using (TP-Link TL-SG105S) only supports up to 1000 Mbps, which seems to be limiting my speeds. When downloading games on Steam, for example, I get a max of 64 Mbps on my desktop but up to 563 Mbps on my laptop via Wi-Fi.
I've searched for 10 Gbps switches, but they aren't available in the UK (especially locally). If you're looking for a solution, do you have any recommendations for a switch that supports 10 Gbps? Or should I consider switching to a PCIe Wi-Fi card instead? If that's the case, what frequency and speed should I aim for?
For clarity, I've attached a diagram of my setup so you can visualize it better. I'm still working through this and would really appreciate any advice or information you can provide! Thanks a lot!
Are there any additional devices connected to the switch? If not, you might consider swapping it for a keystone jack, which connects two cables without needing active electronics. Also, verify that the other end of the Cat6 cable is linked to a Gigabit Ethernet port. Many basic home routers still use 10/100 Fast Ethernet ports on their internal network side, even though WAN and WiFi speeds surpass 100Mb/s. Your PC will report a Gigabit connection regardless of what’s at the other end of the cable, since it agreed with your switch.
The issue is highly unlikely. It's a gigabit switch designed for gigabit performance. Some users might prefer 2.5 Gbps Ethernet cards, but you can use Device Manager to set the card to connect at 1 Gbps instead of auto-detecting. Cat5e already supports 2.5 Gbps and has been reliable for decades. Cat6 handles up to 10 Gbps over short distances (under 55 meters), while Cat7 offers slightly better specs but isn't standardized. What matters is that your ISP's connection meets or exceeds 1 Gbps between your device and the modem/router, allowing you to reach that speed.
Hey, thank you! I didn't know these existed! The other side of the Cat6 cable goes all the way into the back of the router labelled "Gig Ethernet" port so that shouldn't be a problem (if I've understood this correctly). I've found "RJ45 CAT6 Keystone Jack" on Amazon so I'll purchase theses and hopefully void the switch all together, thank you so much Needfuldoer!!!
Your PC should work with a Gigabit connection over that cable, but if it only receives a 100 meg rate, the wiring might not meet requirements. (Gigabit demands all four wire pairs to function correctly, whereas 10/100 only needs two.) Testing the cable run with special equipment is costly, but basic checks like blinking indicators or visual inspection can confirm proper continuity and correct termination at both ends.
Consider Mariushm's suggestions—they might point to the real issue. 2.5Gb NIC cards perform similarly to having jumbo frames enabled. Integrated 2.5Gb is even worse. Test switching to manual 1Gb and wait about 30 seconds. Also, keystone jacks for extending Ethernet cables are problematic. Invest in black RJ45 couplers from Amazon; they’ve saved me countless times, holding Cat5/6 connections securely.
They’re identical but wrapped in a different plastic casing. I concur that none of these connectors perform well.
CAT5e works well for 2.5Gbit in many cases, which is why the technology was developed to avoid costly cabling upgrades inside buildings. Often the issue lies with the outer casing; cheaper options may not secure connections reliably, leading to unexpected drops. A coupler is a basic component, and despite its simplicity, it can still fail sometimes.
Others have pointed out possible cabling issues. You might notice a 100Mbps connection being established. Inspect the equipment along the line to identify which device is only operating at 100Mbps, and there you'll likely find the limitation. If your wiring is the issue, verify and retest the connections. The 64Mbps download speeds on Steam are caused by a buffer overflow when transitioning from 1Gbps to 100Mbps. This results in discards—one side tries to send at 1Gbps while the other can only handle 100Mbps, and the connection between them lacks sufficient memory to store incoming data until it's sent. Flow control might offer a temporary fix, but it’s generally better to avoid using it. Many hardware components still have limited capabilities for this. Based on what I observe, the cable linking your Gigabit Switch to your PC could be responsible for the 100Mbps performance, and the overflow occurs at the switch side. A lot of "CAT7" cables are of low quality.