Started paying for 200Mbps internet but only get 61mbps with PLC

[tembrod]

Recently got Vivid 200 from Virgin. My router is on the ground floor of my house while my PC is on the 3rd. I use a powerline adapter to get an ethernet connection to my PC however it only gives me between 55 and 60 mbps download. Anyone know how i can either get the 200mbps(or close) i pay for to my PC without having to have an ethernet cable direct from the router to the PC and without having to move my PC or a way to make this speed closer to 200mbps with my current powerline.

My current powerline adapter is a tplink600 i think

 

[theyeti87]

Do you get 200Mbps speeds when not connected through powerline adapters? It's common that powerline adapters will reduce the bandwidth when between PC and router.

 

[jeremyj_83]

You might have to go to a higher end power-line adapter. The further away you the weaker the performance (just like wifi) and if you have older wiring you won't have as good of performance either. With the higher end adapters your Ethernet speeds start higher so you have more you can lose and still keep the higher performance. On the other hand you could buy a high end Wifi Router and PCIe Adapter and see if that does that trick as well. However, that solution is quite a bit more expensive as the adapter is $100+ and router will be $200+.

 

[tembrod]

Do you get 200Mbps speeds when not connected through powerline adapters? It's common that powerline adapters will reduce the bandwidth when between PC and router.

I tested the speed on my smartphone, and got 180mbps. This was when standing in the same room as the router.

 

[milktea]

Then why do you not use wireless connection instead?
Or have an electrician re-wire your AC copper wire from first floor directly up to your 3rd floor PC room.

 

[tembrod]

You might have to go to a higher end power-line adapter. The further away you the weaker the performance (just like wifi) and if you have older wiring you won't have as good of performance either. With the higher end adapters your Ethernet speeds start higher so you have more you can lose and still keep the higher performance. On the other hand you could buy a high end Wifi Router and PCIe Adapter and see if that does that trick as well. However, that solution is quite a bit more expensive as the adapter is $100+ and router will be $200+.

Then why do you not use wireless connection instead?
Or have an electrician re-wire your AC copper wire from first floor directly up to your 3rd floor PC room.

The wireless connection is quite weak from the 3rd floor and not really suitable for gaming on my PC. If nothing else works i think i will eventually call an electrician to see what i can do.

 

[tembrod]

You might have to go to a higher end power-line adapter. The further away you the weaker the performance (just like wifi) and if you have older wiring you won't have as good of performance either. With the higher end adapters your Ethernet speeds start higher so you have more you can lose and still keep the higher performance. On the other hand you could buy a high end Wifi Router and PCIe Adapter and see if that does that trick as well. However, that solution is quite a bit more expensive as the adapter is $100+ and router will be $200+.

Yeah i think the distance and maybe old wiring could be a problem. I think i will look into a higher end powerline adapter

 

[jeremyj_83]

It is cheaper to try a new adapter first than any other option.
https://www.cnet.com/topics/networking/best-networking-devices/powerline-adapters/
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-powerline-networking-kit/

 

[Math Geek]

cheapest solution is simply a longer ethernet cable. i've run them between floors often enough. can check out floorplan and find a way to poke a hole in the floor and run it up to the pc. or i have also run it through a window and then outside into room above.

all depends on the layout. the powerline adapter is not a bad way to go but a cheap ethernet cable is cheaper by far if possible. depends on where pc and router are in relation to one another.

if you do find yourself needing new powerlines, i have seen it done in a similar way as ethernet. some new copper cable between the 2 devices with a power plug on each end. does not even have to be hooked to house's power. will give shortest distance and won't involve poking holes into walls to run new copper wires more than likely. not a cheap thing to do running new wires inside the walls, especially between floors.

 

[bill001g]

You need to set a realistic expectation for powerline. They pretend you can get gigabit speeds from the top end device but everyone knows that is not really possible in real world installation.

This site has fairly good test data. But be careful even they indicate that your house is likely different and will get different results. You will notice the brand you have is one of the best "600" there is and it still only gets just over 100mbps on their tests.

https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/charts/powerline/view

You may just be unlucky with your house wires. You could go to av1200 model which use MIMO like wifi does but you should not expect more than double your current number and it likely would be a bit less.

 

[tembrod]

You need to set a realistic expectation for powerline. They pretend you can get gigabit speeds from the top end device but everyone knows that is not really possible in real world installation.

This site has fairly good test data. But be careful even they indicate that your house is likely different and will get different results. You will notice the brand you have is one of the best "600" there is and it still only gets just over 100mbps on their tests.

https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/charts/powerline/view

You may just be unlucky with your house wires. You could go to av1200 model which use MIMO like wifi does but you should not expect more than double your current number and it likely would be a bit less.

Yeah it doesn't look too hopeful for me to get the speeds i need through powerline but thanks for the information. Would you say direct ethernet connection is the only realistic way i can get the full use of the 200mbps?

 

[bill001g]

Ethernet is the only technology that you always get the full rate. It can send 1gbit and receive 1gbit at the same time. If you use the marketing numbers like powerline and wifi you would call it a 2gbit connection. It is so unfortunate that so much network equipment has these fake number that can only be obtained in artificial lab conditions.

Ethernet tends to be a pain to initially install but once complete it pretty much last forever and runs at full speed with no issues.

 

[tembrod]

Ethernet is the only technology that you always get the full rate. It can send 1gbit and receive 1gbit at the same time. If you use the marketing numbers like powerline and wifi you would call it a 2gbit connection. It is so unfortunate that so much network equipment has these fake number that can only be obtained in artificial lab conditions.

Ethernet tends to be a pain to initially install but once complete it pretty much last forever and runs at full speed with no issues.

Yeah i wish i did more research before upgrading my internet but whats done is done. I will work out a way to get a direct Ethernet connection. Thanks for the input!

 

[jsmithepa]

They say "own a house so I can nail a picture any dang place I please."

I update this to "own a house so I can wire any dang way I wish."

 

[minanshah]

Recently got Vivid 200 from Virgin. My router is on the ground floor of my house while my PC is on the 3rd. I use a powerline adapter to get an ethernet connection to my PC however it only gives me between 55 and 60 mbps download. Anyone know how i can either get the 200mbps(or close) i pay for to my PC without having to have an ethernet cable direct from the router to the PC and without having to move my PC or a way to make this speed closer to 200mbps with my current powerline.

My current powerline adapter is a tplink600 i think

tplink av600 has only a fast ethernet port. 10/100Mbps Ethernet Port. means you cant go over 100mbps. typical realworld value would be around 70mbps.

you need a gigabit ethernet powerline adapter to get beyond 100mbps threshold.