Question Is it Worth Purchasing a Sabrent USB 2.5 Gig Adapter?

[BikemanI7]

Hello There

Currently subscribed to Comcast Xfinity 1Gig/20 Download plan

is it worth buying a 2.5 Gig Adapter and plugging into via Cat6A wire to 2.5gig Port on XB7 Gateway?

((motherboard only has built in 1gig Ethernet Port))

Gigabyte B460M_DS3H

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would say YES, if only that Comcast over-provisions as a standard by 20% in the download direction.

So you potentially have a 1.2Gbit/sec or 1.4Gbit/sec download connection, depending on your plan in the area.

Is 200Mbit/sec-400Mbit/sec extra download "for free" worth a $25 USB 2.5gbe adapter, for you?

Edit: It should be noted that you don't have the "gigabit plan", which features a 35Mbit/sec upstream connection, and is over-provisioned, nominally, to 1.44Gbit/sec down.

 

[BikemanI7]

Yeah i got Formerly Extreme Pro 900/20, free upgraded to Gigabit 1000/20 (according to Bill PDF) So will obtain a 2.5gig adapter and enjoy the full over provisioned soon as adapter arrives in this case then.

Speedtests with connection currently i get up to 940Mbps/23.55 for Upload side

 

[Tech Junky]

Yes. I use a 5GE version for my laptop to server and they work great.

Also, you should be hitting 1200/40 or higher on that plan. I was able to using LACP bonding on 2 x 1ge ports and was getting IIRC 1400/45 with the over provisioning.

I've since switched though to T-Mobile and sacrificed bandwidth but also cut the bill in half. It's also convenient if needed for data in the car vs paying higher rates on the phone for data. Typically getting 200/80 but, have tested it in other locations hitting 600/100 in a couple of instances. Other people have posted considerably higher numbers though in different regions and setups. For $50/mo though it beats dealing with CC.

 

[BikemanI7]

Yeah Comcast plans are Gigabit 1000/20 in my area, then Gigabit Extra 1200/35 upload before overprovision, and really expensive Gigabit x6 plan is last one offered on local rate card.

Will get the 2.5Gig Adapter setup soon as ordered & arrives, and see exactly what i hit in terms of speed test immediately.

 

[Tech Junky]

In general cable has lost a bit of it's luster at this point as other options are becoming available and maturing. Between fwa and higher than DSL speeds from the Telco side finally it's cable's game to lose. The main problem is gear keeping up with both sides in terms of bandwidth. 10ge residential os coming soon and that's going to make people question pricing on the router and PC side.

Sabrent does make some sturdy adapters though. Since they're Marvell based controllers make sure to update the drivers even if it works out of the box.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Sabrent does make some sturdy adapters though. Since they're Marvell based controllers make sure to update the drivers even if it works out of the box.

Unless they're doing something different than the rest of the pack, most of the USB3.0 2.5gbe dongles are all RealTek, at least the under-$50 crowd.
Mostly work fine.

 

[Tech Junky]

Unless they're doing something different than the rest of the pack, most of the USB3.0 2.5gbe dongles are all RealTek, at least the under-$50 crowd.
Mostly work fine.

https://www.servethehome.com/sabrent-2-5gbe-usb-network-adapter-review-nt-s25g/ = RTL8125
https://www.servethehome.com/sabrent-nt-ss5g-review-usb-to-5gbe-nic/ = AQC111U

I guess I hadn't looked at the 2.5 to see they used RTL vs AQC. Which brings to mind my MOBO 2.5 port being RTL and not liking Linux with the native module / driver. Easy fix though by blacklisting the module it wants to use out of the box and forcing it to use the other one on reboot.

Still nice adapters.

 

[Fallen Kell]

The main problem is gear keeping up with both sides in terms of bandwidth. 10ge residential os coming soon and that's going to make people question pricing on the router and PC side.

Well, the only thing they will question is their internal network gear and choices. I'm personally very happy with my main switch, which is capable of handling 16x 10gbps connections and 2x 40gbps, as well as 24x 1gbps (and is a fully managed L3 switch with some L4 capabilities as well). I have no problem right now with most things that will be out, with the only exception being SFP28/QSFP28. But since SFP+ (10gbps) is much more common and much cheaper or 10Gbase-T for compatibility/familiarity with home users, I don't see that it is likely that companies will not be supporting those two methods as faster than 1gbps begins to be offered by various ISPs.

 

[BikemanI7]

Sabrent USB A/C 2.5 Gig adapter has been successfully ordered, estimated delivery is April 29th according to Amazon... is there any settings i should be aware of?

i know my Cat6A ethernet wire supports the speed i'm pretty sure, its 50 feet, Cat6A Flat Ethernet wire, as per the Townhome management needed a wire that would fit under the door, and still allow it to shut for when they do inspections.

Should i disable the Built in Lan port on Motherboard? ((nothing will be connected there once the Sabrent adapter arrives))

**Would've went Internal 2.5gig PCie card, but didn't wanna give up my Backup Wifi 6/Bluetooth Ability on system, yes Motherboard doesn't have those 2 options built in, if in the future i upgrade motherboard, i'll just purchase replacement pci slot covers, and install those, as these are pop out type pci e slot covers, so can't put original ones back into this case**

 

[Tech Junky]

If nothing is plugged in then it's not a worry. The only time it might make a difference is if your system is fully loaded and running low on IRQ slots for devices.

"flat" cables are stranded based vs a solid core of copper. Shouldn't be an issue but, a normal cable should resolve any issue.

Internal card would be optimal but, if you're not moving things around often it shouldn't be much difference.

 

[BikemanI7]

Only Move stuff when i unplug everything to do the 3 Month Dust clean out procedure. Then plug usually everything back into same Port.

Only Pain in the rear thing is getting the Wifi/Bluetooth Antennas properly reconnected so they don't flop all over the place, right now using the magnetic extension thing and got it as far as can away from rear of PC lol. but at least outta the way of the USB plugs this way

 

[aigomorla]

mmm... personally I think you shouldn't bother.
Instead i would think of changing ISP's because 24MB upload is an insult to someone living in today's internet world.

I would seriously think of moving to fiber as soon as one is available.
having 1gb both ways, is so much better then having 2gb down 25mb up.

So if your only point in getting 2.5gbe card was for the internet.
No... i wouldn't bother, because the source... the location in which you are downloading from will rarely even give you 2.5gb downstream bandwidth.

Unless you have a NAS on 2.5gbe as well, there is no point in only having 1 pc on 2.5gbe without a dedicated 2.5gbe switch ontop.

And those are a bit pricey still.

**Would've went Internal 2.5gig PCie card, but didn't wanna give up my Backup Wifi 6/Bluetooth Ability on system, yes Motherboard doesn't have those 2 options built in, if in the future i upgrade motherboard, i'll just purchase replacement pci slot covers, and install those, as these are pop out type pci e slot covers, so can't put original ones back into this case**

This is also what i was worried about.
If you had the actual physical lanes left over on your platform for the internal card.

Well there is nothing wrong with a USB adapter.
I believe USB 3.0 is about 4.8GBit which should be more then enough for a 2.5gbe adapter.
But i have no had luck with usb being stable all the time.
Meaning i have had it disconnect every now and then randomly.

Its not an ideal solution for a gamer, but i guess for normal use its ok.

 

[BikemanI7]

Well i typically game most of the time, browse websites, stream sometimes TV shows or Movies in another browser Window and Game Patch Downloads, and Windows Updates

No Fiber Providers around here at all at least where i live at, there is Fiber from at&t in some parts of the City, but Not in this Townhome Complex
Only have Comcast or WOW Cable only, or slow At&t DSL up to 50-100mb Download lol





For now i guess i'll decide if its worth it or not in coming days, its not too hard to swap back to built in 1gig ethernet port if this ends up not being worth the hassle, and tying up another USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port on rear of my case

Do not have a Nas at all

Its only for 1 PC at the moment, probably just wasted $34.99 ordering this item lol--oh well i'll wait and see for sure i suppose