Upgrade your internet connection using a powerline adapter or alternative method.
Upgrade your internet connection using a powerline adapter or alternative method.
The residence I occupy has several levels. Right now two PCs are situated on different floors and linked to the web via powerline adapters. One serves gaming purposes, the other for everyday tasks. My fiber connection offers 1Gbps, while these adapters provide only 100Mbps. This creates a significant limitation and I’m seeking an alternative. Previously we used a long cable running up through the house; it was faster but exposed and prone to wear over time. Now there’s no clean way to run it inside. I’m puzzled about the powerline adapters—they’re labeled TP Link, but their advertised speeds are 500Mbps, yet the Ethernet output is capped at 100Mbps. The higher versions also confirm the same limitation. I worry that upgrading these won’t help. Could you recommend a better adapter option? Or are there other methods to improve internet access in less accessible areas? A mesh Wi-Fi system might work, but none of the computers support it and we all know Wi-Fi isn’t ideal for gaming.
I've never faced a problem with Wi-Fi for gaming before. Your signal is strong enough, you're just one wall away from the access point, and the ping test shows less than 1ms from the command prompt.
It's understandable to question this. The 100Mbps limit is standard for most setups, but some devices offer higher speeds when using modern APs. Powerline adapters can theoretically reach up to 2000Mbps under ideal conditions—no interference, perfect wiring. Ports with gigabit speeds are available from brands like TP-Link, Netgear, and Zyxel. I haven't used powerline much due to older wiring in my home, but if Ethernet isn't an option, MoCA could be a good alternative, especially if coaxial connections exist between rooms.
Usually those rates fall within the adapter range. The device ports control the actual speeds you receive. If the adapters only offer 100 Mbps Ethernet, that’s what you’ll see. Even with faster adapters, achieving gigabit speeds seems unlikely. Powerline adapters can be inconsistent. In my experience, if coax is already installed, check Moca adapters—they’re a much more reliable choice. Coax is designed for data transmission.
The concept involves using Powerline adapters that support Gigabit ports on advanced protocols. If you need devices that only require 100Mbit, you can use a more affordable model that matches the link speed without affecting the overall network performance or requiring costly upgrades. Mixing different Powerline versions in the same home can cause interference and reduce efficiency.