Investigating Download Speed Discrepancies: My Experience with a New Internet Plan
Recently, I upgraded to a new internet plan promising a robust 400 Mbps download speed, perfectly aligning with my online needs. I made sure to enhance my setup by using a brand-new CAT6 Ethernet cable—perhaps overkill, but it was the only option available at my local store. I’m connected via the Ethernet port on my ASUS Strix Gaming X370-F motherboard, and initial tests confirm that the Speedtest results are indeed showcasing the expected 400 Mbps.
However, here’s where I encountered an unexpected hurdle. While the speed test reflects my maximum potential, actual downloads from platforms like Steam, as well as file downloads, consistently hit a ceiling at 17 MB/s. Given that I should ideally be able to achieve up to 50 MB/s (calculated as 400 Mbps divided by 8), this presents a puzzling issue.
In my quest to troubleshoot, I considered the possibility that the Network Interface Card (NIC) might be responsible for this limitation. However, after thorough research, I couldn’t pinpoint any issues. I took the proactive step of updating the NIC driver directly from the ASUS website, which resulted in a meager improvement—my download speeds increased by just 1 MB/s.
To add to my confidence in the setup, my downloads are directed to a Samsung SSD connected via SATA III, an interface that should comfortably support the required speeds without serving as a bottleneck. On top of this, I’m utilizing a Netgear R7000P router, known for its robust performance.
As I navigate the complexities of network performance, I’m left wondering what else might be causing this throttling effect on my download speeds. If anyone else has encountered a similar situation or has insights on potential fixes, your input would be greatly appreciated!
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