Hey everyone! I recently upgraded to a super fast 2.5gbps internet connection via ethernet. When I run speed tests, I get pretty close to 2.5gbps, but the problem arises when I try downloading games from platforms like Steam, Xbox, Epic Games, or just browsing in general. My download speeds only hover around 100 to 300mbps. Occasionally, they spike to 600mbps but then drop back down to 200mbps. I’ve already switched out my ethernet cable and checked various Windows settings, and everything seems normal. However, I’ve noticed that my SSD frequently hits 100% usage during downloads, which makes my PC lag terribly—it takes forever to open even basic apps like File Explorer or Notepad. I’m starting to think my SSD might be the bottleneck since it’s DRAM-less and only has a small SLC cache. Can anyone help confirm if this is likely the issue? By the way, the SSD I have is an INTEL SSDPEKNW512GZL, apparently based on the Intel 660p SSD, which I’ve found online.
3 Answers
Here’s my setup for comparison. I’ve got a Ryzen 7 5700X3D and a Samsung 970 Evo with a 1GB fiber connection via ethernet. My SSD has DRAM. You’re right that having no DRAM cache can slow things down significantly, especially when decompressing files during downloads.
It sounds like your M.2 SSD is actually fast enough for heavy downloads. The slower speeds could be due to the host’s ability to send data, not necessarily the performance of your SSD. Just because your internet connection can hit 2.5gbps, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive data at that rate from game servers, especially considering they often limit speeds.
Yeah, I understand that. But 100mbps feels way too slow. If it stayed stable around 600-1000mbps, I’d be fine. Plus, with my SSD hitting 100% and my PC slowing down to a crawl, it seems like there’s definitely something bottlenecking the system.
Most games are downloaded as compressed files which need to be unpacked while downloading, which can also affect perceived speeds. But in your case, not having a DRAM cache on your SSD is likely the biggest issue contributing to the slow speeds you’re seeing and the PC lag.
Thanks for the insight! I’m convinced I need to invest in a good DRAM SSD now, even if it costs a bit more. I can’t stand my PC freezing up when I’m in the middle of a download!
Looks good! I’m definitely considering upgrading to an SSD with DRAM. It’s frustrating when your PC is nearly unusable while downloading, and I want better performance for my downloads!