Solved: Better Internet Speeds with AX1650x Wireless Adapter Disabled

XLEV · ‎10-14-2022

So I have a Killer Ethernet Adapter E3000 2.5 Gbps and an AX1650x Wireless Adapter on my Zotac Magnus One computer. Also I have an Xfinity plan that allows me a top download speed of 1.2 Gbps.

I can achieve the 1.2 Gbps Internet speed only when the Wireless Adapter is Disabled. Otherwise I get internet speeds less than 1/2 the maximum plan speed.

Since I don't need WIFI on my computer this is not an issue.

Just wondering why the Wireless Adapter, when enabled, has such a serious impact on Internet speed?

Thanks.

DeividA_Intel · ‎10-17-2022

Hello XLEV,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities. I am sorry to know that you are having issues with your Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (i/s).

In order to better assist you, please provide the following:

1. Is this the original adapter that came pre-installed on your computer or did you change/install the adapter to this one?

2. Is the issue present with both drivers (Zotac and Intel)?

3. Did you notice the issue out of the box?

4. What is the operating system version and built installed?

5. Are other devices having speed issues or only the computer?

6. Have you reported this issue to the computer manufacturer? Bear in mind that they are in charge of the driver and firmware of the device. Also, they can limit the performance of the components that they used on their devices.

Regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

View solution in original post

DeividA_Intel · ‎10-17-2022

Hello XLEV,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities. I am sorry to know that you are having issues with your Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (i/s).

In order to better assist you, please provide the following:

1. Is this the original adapter that came pre-installed on your computer or did you change/install the adapter to this one?

2. Is the issue present with both drivers (Zotac and Intel)?

3. Did you notice the issue out of the box?

4. What is the operating system version and built installed?

5. Are other devices having speed issues or only the computer?

6. Have you reported this issue to the computer manufacturer? Bear in mind that they are in charge of the driver and firmware of the device. Also, they can limit the performance of the components that they used on their devices.

Regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

XLEV · ‎10-17-2022

Deivid,

1. These are the original Killer adapters that came with the Zotac Magnus One.

2. Here is the driver information below for Ethernet and Wifi. (attached)

3. When I got the rig I started using a Wifi only interface without the Ethernet connection between the PC and the Modem. Also I started using a VPN service so I was getting about 300Mbps. So I never questioned the Internet speed thinking the VPN slowed it down. Only when I got my new Xfinity modem a few weeks ago touting 1.2 Gpbs did I start experimenting with the Ethernet, Wifi adapters and VPN. With Windows 11 on the PC I don't use VPN much since Windows 11 offers pretty good protection.

4. Operating System is Windows 11 Home, Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

5. This issue is solely on the PC. All other devices in the house go directly to the Gateway (Modem/Router).

6. I haven't mentioned this to Zotac. I installed the latest Intel Killer Performance Suite last week and the reduction in Internet speed by not disabling the Wifi adapter was done on that installation. Here are the details: "The 3.1222.7101 version of Intel® Killer™ Performance Suite package installs the Windows® 10 and Windows 11* Wi-Fi, Ethernet drivers and Killer Networking Software for the following Intel® Killer products."

Hope this helps.

Mark

XLEV · ‎10-17-2022

Deivid,

1. These are the original Killer adapters that came with the Zotac Magnus One.

2. The driver information below for Ethernet and Wifi is in the attachments.

3; When I got the rig I started using a Wifi only interface without the Ethernet connection between the PC and the Modem. Also I started using a VPN service so I was getting about 300Mbps. So I never questioned the Internet speed thinking the VPN slowed it down. Only when I got my new Xfinity modem a few weeks ago touting 1.2 Gpbs did I start experimenting with the Ethernet, Wifi adapters and VPN. With Windows 11 on the PC I don't use VPN much since Windows 11 offers pretty good protection.

4. Operating System is Windows 11 Home, Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

5. This issue is solely on the PC. All other devices in the house go directly to the Gateway (Modem/Router).

6. I haven't mentioned this to Zotac. I installed the latest Intel Killer Performance Suite last week and the reduction in Internet speed by enabling the Wifi adapter was done on that installation. Here are the details: "The 3.1222.7101 version of Intel® Killer™ Performance Suite package installs the Windows® 10 and Windows 11* Wi-Fi, Ethernet drivers and Killer Networking Software for the following Intel® Killer products." I have Killer 3000 for Ethernet and Killer AX1650x for Wifi.

Hope this helps.

Mark

XLEV · ‎10-19-2022

Deivid,

1. These are the original Killer adapters that came with the Zotac Magnus One.

2. I tried to post copies of the driver pages from my device manager but they exceeded the maximum size allowed.

3. When I got the rig I started using a Wifi only interface without the Ethernet connection between the PC and the Modem. Also I started using a VPN service so I was getting about 300Mbps. So I never questioned the Internet speed thinking the VPN slowed it down. Only when I got my new Xfinity modem a few weeks ago touting 1.2 Gpbs did I start experimenting with the Ethernet, Wifi adapters and VPN. With Windows 11 on the PC I don't use VPN much since Windows 11 offers pretty good protection.

4. Operating System is Windows 11 Home, Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

5. This issue is solely on the PC. All other devices in the house go directly to the Gateway (Modem/Router).

6. I haven't mentioned this to Zotac. I installed the latest Intel Killer Performance Suite last week and the reduction in Internet speed by not disabling the Wifi adapter was done on that installation. Here are the details: "The 3.1222.7101 version of Intel® Killer™ Performance Suite package installs the Windows® 10 and Windows 11* Wi-Fi, Ethernet drivers and Killer Networking Software for the following Intel® Killer products."

Hope this helps.

Mark

XLEV · ‎10-17-2022

Deivid,

1. These are the original Killer adapters that came with the Zotac Magnus One.

2. Here is the driver information below for Ethernet and Wifi.

3; When I got the rig I started using a Wifi only interface without the Ethernet connection between the PC and the Modem. Also I started using a VPN service so I was getting about 300Mbps. So I never questioned the Internet speed thinking the VPN slowed it down. Only when I got my new Xfinity modem a few weeks ago touting 1.2 Gpbs did I start experimenting with the Ethernet, Wifi adapters and VPN. With Windows 11 on the PC I don't use VPN much since Windows 11 offers pretty good protection.

4. Operating System is Windows 11 Home, Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

5. This issue is solely on the PC. All other devices in the house go directly to the Gateway (Modem/Router).

6. I haven't mentioned this to Zotac. I installed the latest Intel Killer Performance Suite last week and the reduction in Internet speed by not disabling the Wifi adapter was done on that installation. Here are the details: "The 3.1222.7101 version of Intel® Killer™ Performance Suite package installs the Windows® 10 and Windows 11* Wi-Fi, Ethernet drivers and Killer Networking Software for the following Intel® Killer products."

Hope this helps.

Mark

DeividA_Intel · ‎10-19-2022

Hello XLEV,

Thanks for the information provided. Is not clear to me if the issue continues or not after you installed the Intel® Killer™ Performance Suite. However, the latest version of the Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 (i/s) is the 22.170.0. and you have the 22.160.3.2.

I recommend you perform a clean install of the Intel drivers:

If the Intel driver does not work, try with the driver from Zotac since those are customized to work with their own units. You may need to get in contact with Zotac to report this issue and see if that can help.

Best regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

XLEV · ‎10-19-2022

Deivid,

Thanks for your help. Please close this ticket. I'm happy with my current setup since I get peak Internet speeds. That is, I use the Killer Ethernet only adapter on my PC and have the Killer Wi-Fi adapter disabled since I don't need Wi-Fi on my PC.

It was just a scientific curiosity as to why enabling the Wi-Fi adapter caused Internet speeds to drop by more than 50%. I thought that you might want to replicate my findings on your equipment to determine if it was an inherent design defect in Killer HW/SW. I'm guessing that you already proved to yourself that enabling the Killer Wi-Fi adapter doesn't affect Internet speed. So let's let sleeping dogs lie.

Thanks again,

Mark

DeividA_Intel · ‎10-20-2022

Hello XLEV,

Thanks for your response. I understand the situation, I will proceed to close this thread as you requested. However, you can open a new one in case you need further support or if you face any issues with our products.

Best regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician