PCIe becomes really slow when downloading on Steam

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RevOluTioN115

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Jan 1, 2015
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Hi,

I recently bought a TP-LINK PCIe, TL-WN881ND, and have had very little problems with it.

I bought a new game for Steam and have been trying to download it today.

It starts off downloading 1.5MB/s, but then after a few minutes, it drops to an extremely pathetic speed of anywhere from 300 to 600KB/s. I know 1.5MB/s isn't great anyway, but I just have to live with it. When I restart my PC, the same thing happens.

I haven't installed any drivers for it, which could be the problem, but TP-LINK doesn't have any Windows 10 drivers anyway.

My router is a TP-LINK TD-8960N. If anyone needs more specs please let me know.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
 
Solution
Ralston18
How many other wireless devices/users on your network? What about other wireless devices; e.g., baby monitors that could be a source of interference. Or a neighbor's network.

Try changing frequency and/or channel as applicable.

Check all Ethernet connections as well. May be a faulty cable bottlenecking performance somewhere within the wired and wireless network.

Run the Windows 10 troubleshooters. They may find and fix something.

As for the driver, I found the following link (Amazon):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GMPZ0A/ref=psdc_13983711_t1_B0079XWMEI#dp-customer-review-header

Note the header about "trick you need to know".

However, other reviewers have posted other performance and configuration related information. May...
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Ralston18

Ralston18

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Moderator
Oct 11, 2014
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Before you start the download, open Task Manager and observe,via the various tabs, what your system is doing.

Leave the window open and slide aside so you can continue to view the performance.

Start the Steam download and again watch the window. Try to pick out what changed when the speed dropped.

Could be some other program in the background trying to "phone home" and/or update. Creates a conflict due to a resource constraint or just some buggy code perhaps.

May take a few tries to narrow things down to a specific app, service, or process.

And you can also use Resource Monitor and Performance Monitor in much the same manner.
 
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R

RevOluTioN115

Reputable
Jan 1, 2015
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4,510


So I finally started another download, it seems that the performance of my Wi-Fi (in its tab) heavily fluctuates from 2Mbps to 11Mbps, but generally stays around 5Mbps. Additionally, only 1-2% of network is being utilised. Does this mean anything to you?
 
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Ralston18

Ralston18

Titan
Moderator
Oct 11, 2014
34,789
3,305
146,290
How many other wireless devices/users on your network? What about other wireless devices; e.g., baby monitors that could be a source of interference. Or a neighbor's network.

Try changing frequency and/or channel as applicable.

Check all Ethernet connections as well. May be a faulty cable bottlenecking performance somewhere within the wired and wireless network.

Run the Windows 10 troubleshooters. They may find and fix something.

As for the driver, I found the following link (Amazon):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GMPZ0A/ref=psdc_13983711_t1_B0079XWMEI#dp-customer-review-header

Note the header about "trick you need to know".

However, other reviewers have posted other performance and configuration related information. May just be a matter of finding the configuration settings that work for you.

Start by ensuring that the adapter is configured to match your router. Try manual settings versus "auto" or vice versa if you are set manually.

Key is to be methodical and only change one thing at a time. Start with minimal active devices to keep things simple. Once you have the adapter working then add back the other devices. You may discover that one or the other causes performance to drop again.

 
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