Is it my NIC ?

Molmeister · 12-14-2007, 07:39 AM

Tecky needed....

First post so please bear with me !

to those that know...

I'm running a Desktop PC with a Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast NIC (with drivers bang up to date) - when plugged into my 20meg BB the maximum speed is a paultry 7mbps...let's all blame the ISP......but wait.....when I plug the ethernet cable into my basic works laptop (with a Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet NIC), the speed (via the same speed tester site), zooms to 18meg +. I've run the test several times over several hours so am assuming it's my PC NIC BUT...can't find any real evidence to support replacing the Realtek....any thoughts anyone???

**Fox** · 12-14-2007, 10:59 AM

Integrated? Some of those are of outstandingly low quality, but it usually doesn't make too much of a difference unless it's causing device driver issues, like it does on some of the newer Gigabyte brand motherboards.

Honestly though, I wouldn't bother upgrading it unless it's causing some other issues. Rarely will the servers that you connect to ever realize the full potential of your download speed, so until the infrastructure is upgraded to fill that gap, 7mbit potential isn't so terrible.

Molmeister · 12-14-2007, 11:34 AM

Fox -

Thanks for the reply; The trouble is two fold;

If you're paying UK prices for 20 meg BB you want 15-20meg, getting 7 is a waste of my hard earned cash AND
Secondly, as per my inital post, I am getting 18meg with my laptop so it's got to be something...possible...

**Fox** · 12-17-2007, 06:42 PM

Hmmm... well if you know someone with a PCI ethernet card who wouldn't mind letting you borrow it, it would be pretty easy to test it out. That way you can place the issue without having to drop a penny on it.

12-14-2007, 07:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Molmeister Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11 OS: XP	Is it my NIC ? Tecky needed.... First post so please bear with me ! to those that know... I'm running a Desktop PC with a Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast NIC (with drivers bang up to date) - when plugged into my 20meg BB the maximum speed is a paultry 7mbps...let's all blame the ISP......but wait.....when I plug the ethernet cable into my basic works laptop (with a Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet NIC), the speed (via the same speed tester site), zooms to 18meg +. I've run the test several times over several hours so am assuming it's my PC NIC BUT...can't find any real evidence to support replacing the Realtek....any thoughts anyone???

12-14-2007, 10:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Re: Is it my NIC ? Integrated? Some of those are of outstandingly low quality, but it usually doesn't make too much of a difference unless it's causing device driver issues, like it does on some of the newer Gigabyte brand motherboards. Honestly though, I wouldn't bother upgrading it unless it's causing some other issues. Rarely will the servers that you connect to ever realize the full potential of your download speed, so until the infrastructure is upgraded to fill that gap, 7mbit potential isn't so terrible. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

12-14-2007, 11:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Molmeister Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11 OS: XP	Re: Is it my NIC ? Fox - Thanks for the reply; The trouble is two fold; If you're paying UK prices for 20 meg BB you want 15-20meg, getting 7 is a waste of my hard earned cash AND Secondly, as per my inital post, I am getting 18meg with my laptop so it's got to be something...possible...

12-17-2007, 06:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Re: Is it my NIC ? Hmmm... well if you know someone with a PCI ethernet card who wouldn't mind letting you borrow it, it would be pretty easy to test it out. That way you can place the issue without having to drop a penny on it. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!