Subsystem Testing Continued
LAN Speed Test software was used with the 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 an RJ-45 LAN connection. The target system network adapter is an i219v PCI-Express Gigabit Ethernet controller integrated into an ASUS Maximus XI Formula 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
For wired networking, MSI chose the Realtek RTL8125B 2.5Gbps LAN controller. Naturally, it’s backwards compatible with earlier standards.
In the write test, we saw an average transfer rate of 112.49MB/s, a maximum of 118.42MB/s, and a minimum of 106.52MB/s. In the read or download test, the average throughput was 174.96MB/s, the maximum was 225.49MB/s and the minimum was 59.09MB/s. CPU utilization was 3% in the write or upload test. Core loading was fairly sporadic. CPU usage in the read or download test was 3%. Core loading was similar, albeit with fewer spikes.
Wireless Networking
As expected, the MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Carbon WiFi has Intel’s AX201 WiFi 6 adapter. Naturally, we don’t have the necessary infrastructure to test that at full speed right now, so it was tested at lower speeds.
In the write tests, we saw transfer rates of 10.66MB/s (average), 10.92MB/s (maximum), and 10.40MB/s minimum. In the read tests, we saw transfer rates of 10.66MB/s (average), 10.92MB/s (max), and 11.44MB/s (minimum). CPU usage in the write test was only a mere 1% with nearly no core loading. CPU usage in the read test was the same story. Nearly no core loading and 1% throughout the test.