1Gig Speed to Computer Using Samknows + Varying Speed Tests

Hi all,

I've posted this on the Virgin Media forums but to no avail, and no one can seem to answer my question/query/hardware issue. It's a bit of a crossover post to the Virgin forum / Hardware / Windows / Technical, so just decided to post here:

I'm on the 1 Gbps package and using Samknows.com/realspeed it (supposedly) tells me the speed at which my router is receiving, and also my computer from the router.

Normally, I average around the full 1144 Mbps as advertised to the router, which is great, however speed to computer varies up to a maximum of 250 Mbps. I'm hardwired to the router with a brand new Cat 6A cable and gigabit USB 3.0 to ethernet adaptor so no variance over WiFi. I have the Dell XPS 9750 laptop. I have also tried the WD15 dock, which gives me the same over 40 Gb USB C adaptor.

My speed also varies according to the speed test website:
Thinkbroadband - 140 Mbps
Speedtest.net - 325 Mbps
Fast.com - 940 Mbps

When I boot into Windows with Networking enabled I can get full 940 Mbps on the Samknows speed page and every speed test website.

Is there any known software that causes such a speed dip?

Is there any known software that causes such a speed dip?

It's called Windows.
Try booting from a live Linux ISO and repeating the tests.

On a more serious note pretty much any security software or anti-virus can cripple throuput. Are you running either?

In reply to a post by jonnymc4:

Is there any known software that causes such a speed dip?

Non Microsoft security software often was not designed for high speeds. (Usual names to check for McAfee, Symantec, Norton, Kaspersky, etc).

Also your USB3 to Ethernet adaptor may be a limiting factor as USB, if there are any other options (e.g. Thunderbolt) that can be faster.

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

Is there any known software that causes such a speed dip?

It's called Windows.
Try booting from a live Linux ISO and repeating the tests.

On a more serious note pretty much any security software or anti-virus can cripple throuput. Are you running either?

Touche!

Yes, I'm running Norton Security. I've disabled and ran speed tests before and after, and it doesn't appear to be that, or at least doesn't make a difference. Have switched off nearly every non-Microsoft service that I don't need through msconfig.

It's not a huge problem as real world downloads from Steam etc. I can usually peak out at 100 MB/s and it doesn't affect me for work. I was more wondering whether there was a reason for such a wide range of results and if anyone had the same issue.

I've just realised how wildy out of date my signature is! Have been browsing the forums for over 14 years and it was the speed when my original exchange recevied its first LLU. My internet has come a long way in 14 years from 6 Mbps to 1144 Mbps!

I think that people should accept that beyond a certain point, speeds are really only a bit of 'willy-waving' to some degree as you need internal and external infrastructure in place to make use of it. Internal gbit is pretty common even in homes now though.

A 1gbit connection is really meant to allow multiple connections e.g. 10x100mbit rather than one superfast one IMO.

In reply to a post by smouty:

I think that people should accept that beyond a certain point, speeds are really only a bit of 'willy-waving' to some degree <snip>.

Agree 100%


However as for the DELL, if it is using the "Killer" wifi, that in itself is a problem. A quick search through the VM Forums will show many others having the same issue with this hardware. I'm guessing that's why Safe Mode works fine.

The WD15 dock he has tried is Thunderbolt

Thanks
Dan

Yeah I agree 1 Gbps is way more than I could ever need. The Gig package ended up being best value with the TV channels, phone etc. I managed to get a new customer deal through retentions.

In reply to a post by jonnymc4:

disabled and ran speed tests

Disabling stops the GUI and some of the RAM usage, it doesn't remove the "shim" driver that directs all network packets through the third party software. IF the software is the cause of slowdowns you'd need to remove this. Disabling MS default services is usually not needed and will cause longer term issues.