Network Subsystem Testing
Network Utilization Tests
LAN Speed Test software was used with Windows Task Manager to determine the performance levels of the onboard network interface. LAN Speed Test was used to measure bandwidth and transfer speeds, while Windows Task Manager monitored CPU utilization on the test system. For the testing, an 800MB file test was used with the default packet configuration for the application. The test was run three times with the middle result chosen. Results were captured for the low, medium and high transfer rates. The test was performed using a plenum rated category 5e crossover cable to bypass any traffic, routing or other transfer issues and possible packet loss or corruption that can be caused by a router/switch or hub. The cables were connected between two test machines, one using the onboard NIC(s) of the board being reviewed and the other is an Intel X540 Converged Network adapter. It supports 10/100/1000/10000Mbps speeds.
Wireless network testing, if applicable was performed using a connection to an 802.11/AC enabled wireless router and then sent to a test machine connected to the same router via a RJ-45 LAN connection. The target system network adapter is an i211-AT PCI-Express Gigabit Ethernet controller integrated into a GIGABYTE X399 Designare EX motherboard. The network settings for both network controllers and the router are all at their defaults and the 802.11/AC router has no other devices connected to it.
Wired Networking Hardware
This is one area where I think MSI went wrong on the X470 Gaming Pro. MSI chose the Realtek 8111H Gigabit Ethernet adapter. It supports 10/100/1000Mbit speeds. This isn’t the best option available. Intel and even Killer NICs are far better options.
The following specifications were taken from the manufacturer’s website:
1 x Realtek® 8111H Gigabit LAN controller
LAN1 (Realtek 8111H)
Our average speeds were 41.16MB/s (write) and 60.29MB/s (read). The maximum transfer rates were 43.71MB/s (write) 63.23MB/s (read). Lastly, we had minimal transfer rates of 39.02MB/s (write) and 56.65MB/s (read). CPU utilization was 3% in the write test and 2% in the read test.