Can't Get my Intel Network Card to Work at Gbit speed

[gamesturbator]

MSI MSI Gaming 990FXA-GAMING (builtin Ethernet doesn't support 1 Gbps)
Intel EXPI9301CTBLK Network Adapter PciEx (supports 1 Gbps connections)
TP-Link N450 Router (has all Gigabit Ethernet Connections)
All Cat7 Ethernet Cables (also tried Cat5e)
I have Cox Internet Ultimate Package

If I plugged my ethernet directly into my modem I averaged 160 Mbit download/21 Mbit upload. But if I plugged it into my new router the max is 93 Mbit download/21 Mbit upload. I realized that i'd forgotten to enable the Gigabit connection on my ethernet card. I looked at my Intel Ethernet card settings and if it's set for Auto Negotiation it defaults to 100Mbit. If I manually change it to 1 Gbps Full Duplex it disconnects, failing to even detect an ethernet connection. From what I've read Auto Negotiation should select 1 Gbps automatically if the router supports it. http://i.imgur.com/CDpo35u.jpg

I'm getting so frustrated with this. I've actually been paying for reallly fast internet service for quite some time and I wasn't even aware of the available speed because I've been stuck at 100mbit with my Network Card. All reviews I find on this Intel card say they get 1 Gbps link speed since I have the matching hardware to support it.

One other note: I'm wondering if the PciEx 1 slot doesn't support over 100Mbit?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Paul NZ]

Is this the router or whatever it is? If it is, it doesnt have GB ports

I think you're getting confused by gigabit (on a home network) and gigabit fibre / internet

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

To start with, you need a router which supports gigabit.

Or use internet via modem without using router.

 

[gamesturbator]

Not sure any of you actually read what I wrote. I even posted my spec at the very top. My very first sentence was "I plugged my ethernet directly into my modem I averaged 160 Mbit download/21 Mbit upload." (Upgrading to 300Mbit ISP speed next week BTW). My router has 1 Gbit ethernet ports http://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/routers/wifi-routers?filterby=4860 My ISP also gives me well over 100Mbit. The network card is not allowing me to to connect to the router at 1Gbit link speed.

 

[Paul NZ]

So what router is it then. That link goes to more than 1 router

 

[LogicBomb31]

I don't think you can buy a gaming motherboard that's below 1Gbps these days. If http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130859 is your motherboard then you have a gigabit controller 100% you just need to go to your mobo website and install the latest lan driver. Get yourself a CAT6 patch cable and CAT6 long cable, one for PC-router and another for router-modem. Return the Intel lan card if you can.

Same goes for router, you'd be hard pressed to find a router slower than gigabit. Even the $20 cheapos are gigabit now.

 

[gamesturbator]

Has no one even looked at my listed specs in my first post? LOL TP-Link N450 has Gigabit connections. I had previously bought a router from them that had the old specs and after talking to support they told me that THIS was the router I needed for 1Gbps link speed.

@Logicbomb I am not using the builtin ethernet (because MSI, in it's infinite wisdom, decided not to put a modern ethernet controller on a modern gaming motherboard). BTW Even routers made in the last year are missing Gigabit connections. You'd be amazed at how much junk companies still produce.

One Update: I wanted to be sure the Ethernet Card itself hadn't had some sort of failure, so I connect it directly to the modem and check to see what the link speed showed. Set for Auto Negotiation it's connected at 1 Gbps link speed. http://i.imgur.com/8RWV62p.jpg

 

[LogicBomb31]

Can you provide you motherboard model no, I will check for you and link you the driver you need. The intel card is not needed I can ensure you. You also need CAT6 cables, check them make sure they say CAT6. Modem-> router, router -> pc.

But if you'd like to get the intel card going at gigabit you'll need the driver for it directly from intel. Once you have that it will be a matter of settings things up correctly but 99% of time the it should work fine without adjusting windows settings.

The router should come preconfigured for DHCP so there's nothing else you need to do.

 

[LogicBomb31]

Here you go: https://ca.msi.com/Motherboard/support/990FXA-GAMING.html#down-driver

Download latest "On-Board LAN Drivers"

 

[gamesturbator]

Motherboard model shown in my FIRST post in the specs. MSI MSI Gaming 990FXA-GAMING

Anyway, I just looked up the lan specs for the MB again and it does, indeed, say 1 Gbps. So I had that part wrong as it's been a while since I used it. My MB drivers are always up to date, not that MSI updates anything note worthy lately. Also note that my Intel card was connecting at 1 Gbps if plugged directly to the modem.

Just isn't able to do that using my router which DOES have Gigabit ports. Intel drivers up to date, of course.

 

[LogicBomb31]

Ok it's your router, it's not gigabit. Read http://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/TL-WR940N.html#specifications you were misinformed.

Seems the cheapo wireless ones come with 10/100 ports... of course lol.

You should reurn the intel card and router and buy https://www.amazon.com/RT-N66U-Dual-Band-Wireless-N900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B006QB1RPY

Best router on the market for the money IMO, it even has a nickname "dark knight router".

 

[gamesturbator]

Well, I don't get it. The company itself lists it under their gigabit router lists. The picture of it even says it's a gigabit router. http://i.imgur.com/oRR3rLg.jpg The actual page for this router says "450Mbps Wireless speed and Gigabit Ethernet ports!"

So they listed Gigabit Ethernet ports on the front page, then in the specs 100Mbit (which I didn't bother reading because I was trusted the support guy). The TP-Link support I spoke to 3 times even specified it as a gigabit router with GIGABIT ports in my price range. Then I go look at the page on Amazon where I purchased it and drill way down the page to find "has 4 10/100M ports to support 4 wired devices"

I feel like a fool. I am so mad at TP-Link for all the false information they provided for me. I must have been looking at a different router on Amazon and conflated the specs listed though I used the purchase link on the TP-Link website. Thanks for opening my eyes! LOL

 

[LogicBomb31]

No problem.

TL-WR1043ND is not yours. N450 = TL-WR940N.

Dark knight router + on-board lan is much better than intel lan card and crappy router. Same cost.

 

[gamesturbator]

But that's the page I used to go to the Amazon purchase page. Somehow the wrong one got placed in the shopping cart. How annoying LOL