Intel I225-V (3) Connection Problems

[KosherBacon]

I have a new motherboard (ASUS ROG STRIX B650E-I GAMING WIFI) that has this onboard NIC. When using the NIC, I get severe performance issues with basic browsing that no other device exhibits.

For example, loading https://www.intel.com/ is a problem with the NIC. Other times, watching a YouTube video will bring it to its knees. That is, I can normally watch 4K60 without a problem but the NIC keeps underperforming and eventually downgrades to 144p. Yes, 144p on a 1Gbps connection.

I have tried the official Intel drivers from here: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/184676/intel-ethernet-controller-i225v/downloads.html

I have tried the ASUS provided drivers from here: https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-b650e-i-gaming-wifi-model/helpdesk_download/

I have tried a clean install of Windows 11 Pro 64-bit.

I have tried 3 different ethernet cables, and multiple different ports on my switch. All of my other devices worked with the same switch/cables out of the box, eliminating a problem with those other components.

The NIC worked fine on Linux which leads me to the only possible conclusion, that the provided drivers from both Intel and ASUS do not work.

Digging online I found some pointers.

Intel's own official response: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000057261/ethernet-products/gigabit-ethernet-controllers-up-to-2-5gbe.html which was updated only 2 days ago, doesn't actually provide any useful information. Says to update the NVM, but fails to provide the NVM, fails to provide the tool to update the NVM, and no AIB partner provides these either.

The best was https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/vot7no/comment/ij1mmek/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Where disabling some of the device offloading helped my problem, but seems like that should be addressed via an Intel driver update. Specifically TCP/UDP Checksum Offload for IPV6. Just these 2 settings set to "disabled" seems to have addressed the performance problem.

I have a Verizon ONT, and this is apparently a known issue to Intel (on other NICs): https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19174/disabling-tcp-ipv6-checksum-offload-capability-with-intel-1-10-gbe-controllers.html

And to head things off, ASUS pointed me to contact Intel, and I see other threads where the Intel rep says to talk to the AIB. Given that it's an Intel product with an Intel driver, I'm also posting here.

Can someone advise?

[Mike_Intel]

Hello KosherBacon,

Thank you for posting in Intel Ethernet Communities. 

For us to further check the issue, please provide the following details.

1. Is it working fine before?
2. Can you also share to us what was the instruction by Asus when they ask you to contact Intel?

If you have questions, please let us know. In case we do not hear from you, we will make a follow up after 3 workings days. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel® Customer Support

[Mike_Intel]

Hello KosherBacon,

I hope you're having a wonderful day. I am just sending a soft follow up on the information that we requested for us to further assist you. We will wait for your reply. 

If you have questions, please let us know. In case we do not hear from you, we will make a follow up after 3 workings days. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel® Customer Support

[KosherBacon]

1) It never worked. It's a hardware design/driver flaw.

2) I do not have a recording of the phone call.

I put it in the OP but this is fixed with: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19174/disabling-tcp-ipv6-checksum-offload-capability-with-intel-1-10-gbe-controllers.html

Can you please add this NIC to the list of defective devices?

[Mike_Intel]

Hello KosherBacon,

Thank you for the update. Just to confirm, the issue is fixed now after installing the DisableTCP-IPv6ChecksumOffload?

We will create a documentation on how you were able to fix the issue base on your reply to us and it would help other customers.

If you have questions, please let us know. In case we do not hear from you, we will make a follow up after 3 workings days. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel® Customer Support

[KosherBacon]

Yes. Not sure what you mean by install because that's just a driver setting.

But by disabling the TCP/UDP IPV6 Checksum Offloading in the driver, I was able to address the issue. This definitely seems like a hardware/driver design problem, but flipping that setting helped.

I have a Verizon Fios ONT supplying fiber to me if that helps.

[Mike_Intel]

Hello KosherBacon,

Thank you for providing the information on how you were be able to fix the issue. We will document this and this thread will also help other forum user. Since the issue is now fixed, we will close the case that we created for you.

If you need assistance again in the future, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Thank you and stay safe.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel® Customer Support