2.5ghz Networking Query

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 17, 2025

I have an interesting network question. I have two systems that both have the Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX motherboard with 2.5ghz capable NIC's. I do have the latest Gigabyte network drivers installed as well. I picked up a 2.5ghz switch in the hopes that these two would link at the faster speed, however network speed tests confirm that they have the same speed as when I had the 1ghz switch connected. I don't see anything in the BIOS or NIC configuration that mentions 2.5ghz, so I'm assuming this should be automatic.

Am I expecting too much here, or should these two computers, both connected to this 2.5ghz switch, be able to link at 2.5ghz? I realize that if they link to other devices elsewhere in the network that they would be communicating at the lowest rate supported.

Berton · Apr 17, 2025

Most Wireless adapters of the last several years support both 2G and 5G connections as long as the Router supports them. My daughter has 5G-only Router for streaming set by her provider but her Notebook is older and had only 2G and couldn't connect, I was able to put in a 2G/5G adapter salvaged from a Notebook, suits her fine.

timbobit · Apr 17, 2025

Speeds are only as quick as ISP and what you purchase.

Berton · Apr 17, 2025

To add to what @timbobit said, the 2G and 5G are only between Router and computer. What the ISP provides is to the Modem/Router. Cellphones also use 5G and probably 2G.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 17, 2025

timbobit said:
Speeds are only as quick as ISP and what you purchase.

Berton said:
To add to what @timbobit said, the 2G and 5G are only between Router and computer. What the ISP provides is to the Modem/Router. Cellphones also use 5G and probably 2G.

I think you're both missing my situation! I'm only interested in the link speed between these two computers. Obviously, I know that my ISP link maxes out at 1gb as that's what I have!

I have two computers, both with 2.5ghz capable NIC's, and a 2.5ghz unmanaged switch that they're both connected to. All I want is faster network transfers between these two machines.

Berton · Apr 17, 2025

Sorry for misreading, I only use Bluetooth Wireless between computers or cellphones connecting to a computer. I use 5G Wireless between my Notebooks and the Router with Ethernet between the Router, Desktops, 2 printers and a NAS drive.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 17, 2025

My laptop is only for "on the road" use, I just synchronize it with the desktop data before I go. The two desktop computers are the ones I want to have the fast link between. I use gigabit Ethernet for all our computers and TV's, much more reliable than WiFi. My two computers are the only ones that will benefit from the 2.5ghz connection if I can actually get it working.

BamaInArk · Apr 17, 2025

Without regard to actual speed tests results what does the hardware Link speed show? You should be able to Right Click on the Network icon in the System Tray and select "Network and internet settings." Under the next dialog select Ethernet and from there it will show the connected Link speeds the adapters are connected at. It should show 2500/2500 if connected at 2.5g speeds.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 17, 2025

BamaInArk said:
Without regard to actual speed tests results what does the hardware Link speed show? You should be able to Right Click on the Network icon in the System Tray and select "Network and internet settings." Under the next dialog select Ethernet and from there it will show the connected Link speeds the adapters are connected at. It should show 2500/2500 if connected at 2.5g speeds.

Yep, exactly what I'm trying to fix. Right now it's connected at 1gbs. I was led to believe that CAT5e or better cables, 2.5gbs NIC's, 2.5gbs switch was all I needed for this to work. Obviously, I'm missing something. :)

Berton · Apr 17, 2025

I don't use it but the situations described may be solvable by the use of OneDrive or other Cloud storage, upload from one then download on another. My NAS drive could be considered Cloud storage on my LAN, an older WD NAS drive I had was named as My Cloud.

timbobit · Apr 17, 2025

BamalnArk quicker than I - he is correct

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 17, 2025

Yes, my question is how do I fix it. :)

BamaInArk · Apr 17, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
Yes, my question is how do I fix it. :)

Are both lights on the ethernet port lighted and what color? Are you sure the proper 2.5 GHz drivers are installed? Does the 2.5g network switch have lighted port switches? Check those for proper connect speeds.
And yes Cat5E will work with 2.5GHz but they have to be shorter than the maximum length whatever that may be. You might try different ethernet cables.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 17, 2025

I did swap cables, made no difference. Clearly, there is likely a problem with the drivers. I may have to ping Gigabyte and see how to get updated drivers.

I did some further searching, I found this in a Microsoft forum. I don't have the EEE Max Support Speed parameter, so this is probably a driver issue. I downloaded the latest drivers from Gigabyte, no dice.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 17, 2025

I went right to Realtek and downloaded their driver package, still no dice. I'll have to wait and see if Gigabyte has any new info...

KevTech · Apr 17, 2025

You want to look at the speed and duplex setting not EEE.
EEE stands for Energy Efficient Ethernet.

What is port speed of the router or modem connected to the switch?
I have had a bad cable limit my 2.5 to 1GB before. Brand new cable but crimp was bad at the wires. Re-crimped it and got full 2.5 speed.

KevTech · Apr 17, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
I went right to Realtek and downloaded their driver package, still no dice.

Which drivers are you installing.
Realtek has NDIS and NetAdapterCx.
For Win 11 NetAdapterCx is the preferred driver.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 17, 2025

KevTech said:
Which drivers are you installing.
Realtek has NDIS and NetAdapterCx.
For Win 11 NetAdapterCx is the preferred driver.

I had the NDIS one as it was the first in the list. I uninstalled it and installed the NetAdapterCx driver, no change in what I get. I still have 1gbit connections.

Dru2 · Apr 17, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
I have an interesting network question. I have two systems that both have the Gigabyte B760M DS3H AX motherboard with 2.5ghz capable NIC's. I do have the latest Gigabyte network drivers installed as well. I picked up a 2.5ghz switch in the hopes that these two would link at the faster speed, however network speed tests confirm that they have the same speed as when I had the 1ghz switch connected. I don't see anything in the BIOS or NIC configuration that mentions 2.5ghz, so I'm assuming this should be automatic.

Am I expecting too much here, or should these two computers, both connected to this 2.5ghz switch, be able to link at 2.5ghz? I realize that if they link to other devices elsewhere in the network that they would be communicating at the lowest rate supported.

That rating (spec) is always going to be an "up to" spec, meaning that's the max speed possible, not an absolute. It also depends on hardware, cables, traffic speed, and ISP supplied speeds. Some you have control over (hardware, cable), some you don't (net traffic, ISP supplied speeds).

The first thing I would do is look at what NIC cable you're using. Cat 5 cable is up to 1Gbps. Cat 6 is 5 up to 10Gbps, can 6a is 10Gbps, so if you want greater than 1Gbps, get at least a Cat 6 cable.

Ethernet Cable Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Ethernet Cable Category

Nowadays, common types of Ethernet cables include Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8. It is necessary to purchase the right cable for the intended application. This article will introduce the different categories of Ethernet cables, compare their features and provide guidance on selecting...

www.fs.com

BamaInArk · Apr 17, 2025

Dru2 said:
That rating (spec) is always going to be an "up to" spec, meaning that's the max speed possible, not an absolute. It also depends on hardware, cables, traffic speed, and ISP supplied speeds. Some you have control over (hardware, cable), some you don't (net traffic, ISP supplied speeds).

The first thing I would do is look at what NIC cable you're using. Cat 5 cable is up to 1Gbps. Cat 6 is 5 up to 10Gbps, can 6a is 10Gbps, so if you want greater than 1Gbps, get at least a Cat 6 cable.

Ethernet Cable Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Ethernet Cable Category

Nowadays, common types of Ethernet cables include Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, and Cat8. It is necessary to purchase the right cable for the intended application. This article will introduce the different categories of Ethernet cables, compare their features and provide guidance on selecting...

www.fs.com

Your missing the point of his topic. This is a hardware issue not a internet speed issue.

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