Performance - gaming and streaming
First we need to look at how fast the data transfer is across the built in switch on the XE104. This is simply done by hooking up a PC to the XE104 and running a cable from there to the router to get the PC assigned an IP on the network. That done, Vista’s built-in networking tools reported a connection at 100Mbps across the switch. So that means the XE104 is just throwing the signal straight across the switch, as it should do.However, things get a bit more interesting when running from one XE104 to another. Netgear say the XE104 runs at a max of 85Mbps over you 240v cabling assuming ideal conditions but is this the case in real life?
The answer is yes and no, which I know isn’t very helpful but I’ll explain. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to see an 85Mbps network speed from one XE104 to another purely because these quoted speeds are normally under laboratory conditions with everything optimized to get the best performance. What I did see though was a speed of 80-84Mbps with a steady 83Mbps being the norm... so close to the maximum as to make no discernible difference.
Click for larger imageWhat made the difference was how much other kit was plugged into the same double socket as the XE104. To start with I had an eight socket surge protected extension cable running in the other socket which, seeing as it had all my consoles plugged into it, was obviously pulling some current. I’m lucky enough to have two twin sockets behind the TV so switching plugs around, leaving just the TV and the XE104 in the same socket saw the network speed jump another 3Mbps and stay there. Nice.
But is 85Mbps fast enough for my consoles? This is the real kicker. It’s all well and good having this connection but if it isn’t up to the demands of gaming and media streaming then what’s the point? Now I know that with both the Xbox 360 and PS3 you can game wirelessly, but come on, have you actually tried it? And don’t forget my gateway modem router, which also does wireless, is diagonally opposite the lounge on the next floor up... hardly the best place for a decent Wi-Fi signal. Sure, I could do a wireless access point but that still means running a damn cable, so for me, being the fussy bugger I am, it’s wired or nothing.
Now for gaming both the Xbox 360 and PS3 gave me beautifully smooth connections with no hiccups, network issues or any problems whatsoever. It really was as if I’d just slotted a network cable straight into the back of my router. So yes, 85Mbps is plenty fast for gaming. Similarly, downloads came pretty quickly with the network far outstripping the speed of my ADSL connection.
Click for larger imageBut I did hit a snag with the media streaming. Both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 reported that the network connection, whilst fast enough for music, pictures and standard definition TV, it wasn’t nearly quick enough to stream hi-def content. This is a problem.
With Vista becoming more and more popular and widely used, lots of people are going to be using it as a media system. And many gamers will have already hooked their Xbox 360s up to their XP machines with Media Connect whilst PS3 owners running Media Player 11 will be taking advantage of the included DNLA to let them stream content too. So having a network connection that doesn’t have the throughput, especially with the amount of high definition content only on the increase, is going to limit the lifespan of the XE104.
