Intel 5300 speed barrier with WNDR3700

[Nivk]

My WNDR3700 (firmware V1.0.4.55) seems to have an invisible barrier at about 47Mbps downlink throughput. First let me give you some details:
I have a Dell Studio XPS 16 with Intel WiFi Link 5300AGN card in it using driver 13.1.1.1(from 13-1-2010). Windows 7 x64 Ultimate shows me a link rate of 300Mbps, all this and following is when being in the same room as the router and at 2-3 meter distance. I have the WNDR3700 speed mode set to "up to 300mbps" and it is using WPA2-PSK(AES) for security. WMM settings for both bands are enabled. I only have N clients and when testing there was only one wireless client connected being the Studio XPS, the other client being a PC (with raid0 Samsung F1) connected at 1gbps via LAN. There are only a couple wireless networks in the area (more then 15 meters distance) and I am not using the same channel as them. (see image here)
But it doesn't seem to be able to get past the 47Mbps, when I use speedtest.net the meter bounces off that invisible wall repeatedly. (Note: I have 120Mbps/10Mbps cable and tested the connection prior and after the wireless tests using the wired PC with no problems and steady 117/9.7mbps)
Even when using a homegroup transfer I have this problem, but when I upload from the laptop to the PC I get almost double that speed: 11MBps. I had not noticed this wireless downlink wall before but since I bought an extra TL-WR1043ND to use as cheap Gigabit switch with added wireless coverage bonus, when I did some tests on it with that same Dell Studio XPS same range (2-3 meter) this got me thinking its not the laptop but perhaps the WNDR3700 is not working as it should? (The TP-Link has DHCP turned off perhaps this improves its performance nonetheless it's downlink speed is almost triple that of the WNDR3700? click for Lan Speedtest between wireless XPS connected with TP-Link and wired PC)
Tried changing channel to 6,11,13 also changed SSID and password, removed security completely, setting speed "up to 130mbps" actually gives that same speed barrier and also removed the networks completely from windows 7 but still stuck at 47mbps.
Wall of text, any ideas?

 

[thiggins]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Have you tried testing another wireless laptop?

Have you looked at what is running (background programs) on the laptop, especially in the wireless adapter properties?

Also, have you gone into the 5300 settings and made sure that auto mode is enabled in 2.4 GHz?

Do you get the same results in 2.4 and 5 GHz bands?

 

[Nivk]

Tested with a different laptop now (same model though: a Dell 1640, Intel WiFi Link 5300AGN, windows 7 x64 Ultimate). Updated the 5300 driver and made sure the settings are correct also:
-Channel Width both bands set to Auto.
-802.11n Mode is enabled.
-Fat Channel intolerant is disabled.
-Transmit power is set to Highest, also set to Medium for couple tests.
-Windows 7 is not allowed to turn the wireless adapter off.
-W7 wireless adapter power saving mode is set to maximum performance.
Set the TP-Link to be the DHCP server and turned it off on the WNDR3700, also turned off its SPI Firewall and made sure guests networks are disabled. Then I tested each radio (2,4GHz or 5GHz) again while the other radio was turned off. I am certain both computers have a read/write faster then 400mbps so they are not limiting speed. The laptop was booted into safe mode and from there I started the Lan Speed test, the 5GHz is able to reach 130/150 mbps (down/up). But the 2,4GHz downlink is still "stuck" 46/134 mbps (down/up). I said earlier that when I set the speed mode to "up to 130 mbps" it will also limit at 47mbps downlink, but I was wrong actually (blame nocturnal testing). If I set it to up to 130mbps it will actually only get a downlink speed of about 21mbps..
Now I was toying around with some more settings and noticed that when I set the channel to 13 and up to 300mbps I am unable to get a link speed of 300mbps, it will default to 130mbps is that normal?
One thing I will try tomorrow is reload the firmware and factory reset it (again). But probably the first thing I should do is open a case with NETGEAR.

 

[thiggins]

Thanks for the report. I don't know what is normal for setting the channel to 13, since we can't do that in the U.S.

Are you sure that there are no 2.4 GHz interference sources operating? Microwave oven, baby monitor, etc.

Factory default reset is a good idea to try.

 

[Nivk]

I guess channel 13 should be able to, when I look at router status it even says 13(P) +9(S) (the bonded channels?) and Mode: Up to 300mbps. But no 5300AGN can get more then 130mbps then. But perhaps this is just because I think something is broken with my WNDR3700 and other people in countries that are allowed to use channel 13 are able to get link-speed of 300mbps anyway.
Nonetheless I factory reset the router, then reloaded the latest firmware (freshly downloaded before), after the firmware flash I reset the router again. Only changed speed settings to 300mbps for 2,4GHz band, rest was left at default. Still down-link for 2,4GHz "stuck" (only down-link that is weird). Oh yes no other wireless devices near the router and mobile phones turned off or not in the house.
Opened a case this morning with NETGEAR(its now 14:38 here), will see how that turns out. Thanks for the replies.

 

[thiggins]

I guess channel 13 should be able to, when I look at router status it even says 13(P) +9(S) (the bonded channels?) and Mode: Up to 300mbps. But no 5300AGN can get more then 130mbps then. But perhaps this is just because I think something is broken with my WNDR3700 and other people in countries that are allowed to use channel 13 are able to get link-speed of 300mbps anyway.

Good guess. The Intel client probably isn't set to recognize the valid frequencies for your region.

Nonetheless I factory reset the router, then reloaded the latest firmware (freshly downloaded before), after the firmware flash I reset the router again. Only changed speed settings to 300mbps for 2,4GHz band, rest was left at default. Still down-link for 2,4GHz "stuck" (only down-link that is weird). Oh yes no other wireless devices near the router and mobile phones turned off or not in the house.
Opened a case this morning with NETGEAR(its now 14:38 here), will see how that turns out. Thanks for the replies.

Did you install the 5300 cards yourself or were they factory installed? If you installed, maybe antenna connections are wrong? Two antennas should be connected to terminals 1 and 2. BTW, I'm separating this into its own thread to make it easier for others to find.

 

[Nivk]

Yes the 5300 cards are factory installed by Dell. I have one XPS M1530, in this one I installed a 5300 card myself. But have not tested with that laptop yet, certain though I did it correct, because I tested it after I installed it about 4 months ago with the WNDR3700 actually...

 

[thiggins]

I'm pretty much stumped, then.

 

[Nivk]

Small update, I have an online case submitted at NETGEAR's technical support. Done some tests and screenshots of settings are send to them.
Also made sure the wires of the 5300 card are attached properly. I borrowed a WUSB600N (think it is a version 1) and did some tests with it, strangely enough its downlink is better at about 66Mbps.
I was wondering if there is any other difference between the NA and not-NA WNDR3700 firmwares besides the channel settings?

 

[Nivk]

Received my new WNDR3700 (RMA) from NETGEAR and the problem is gone now. Not really sure what was wrong with the old one.
Since I was testing it anyway I also tested its maximum concurrent sessions with the Matrix21 Router Session Test Tool. My WNDR3700 maxed at 4096 concurrent sessions(power cycled before each test) which is about the same as the DIR-825. I also tested my TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND and it maxed out at 5109.
Thanks for your help Mr. Higgins!

 

[Onedutch]

What speeds do you get now ?

Hello Nivk,

Reading your experience with the Netgear WNDR3700 and a Intel 5300 card me me curious what kind of speeds you are getting after the RMA replacement from the Netgear router and the neatgear firmware?
Are you using the router with the Netgear firmware or did you flasg openwrt or ddwrt on it? If so what kinda speed do you get after having flashed to one of these 2 firmwares?

Best Regards,
Tom

I want to upgrade my wifi card in de Dell Studio laptop, it has a DW1397 now (b/g only) and have to choose between 5300 / 6300 or 1510 card.