Rivet Networks has announced a new Ethernet controller which it claims as a world's first for consumer gaming PCs. The new Killer E3000 is said to operate at up to 2.5Gbps and is launched alongside the release of the Killer Control Centre 2.0 software suite. This announcement is timed to coincide with the release of a modicum of new desktops, laptops, and motherboards which will come packing this Ethernet controller. Rivet namechecks the likes of Dell-Alienware and Acer as early adopters, with products on show at CES 2019 right now.
The E3000 utilises Killer's Advanced Stream Detect Technology that automatically detects, classifies and prioritises critical network traffic for online games, streaming video and high-quality audio. Rivet Networks says that thanks to this network intelligence, gamers will benefit from the fastest throughput plus "incredibly low latency".
At release the Killer Control Centre 2.0 (KCC2) won't only work with this new E3000 Ethernet controller, it will also be useful for owners of products packing the Killer Wireless-AC 1550 Wi-Fi solution. KCC2 provides gamers with more information and control than ever before say Rivet Networks. With this software users can manage game, application, and website priorities and bandwidth limits - plus it folds in the following two new features:
- Killer GameFast Technology: automatically pausing processes that are not needed when gaming, Killer GameFast Technology frees up to 10 per cent of CPU cycles and up to 20 per cent of memory, claims Rivet. The result will be faster more responsive gameplay thanks to freed-up system resources.
- Killer Intelligence Engine: This task automatically analyses the PC's network health and optimises Killer settings for improved network performance. If auto-optimisation isn't available for some reason then the KIE will suggest manual tweaks for better gaming and application performance.
"The industry has been stuck on one gigabit Ethernet products for a long time," said Rivet Networks' CEO Michael Cubbage. "This is why we are so excited to launch the Killer E3000 and its 2.5Gbps of throughput performance to our customers. The combination of 2.5Gbps and the new Killer Control Centre 2.0 is going to give users the speed, intelligence, and control that they crave. It is perfect for users that love to game or simply want the industry's best Ethernet solution."
Additionally it is expected that the next generation of performance routers and network equipment will start to support 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports to handle both faster wired products and a new generation of Wi-Fi (160MHz) plus Wi-Fi 6/11ax are about to drive adoption of the new standards. With the new Wi-Fi standards it is possible that 1Gbps Ethernet would be a network bottleneck but the move to 10Gbps is considered too expensive for home users.
Rivets says that the Killer E3000 is fully DoubleShot Pro compatible when used in conjunction with a Killer wireless product - meaning it will auto-select the fastest network connection available for high priority traffic.
The first products featuring Killer E3000 Killer Control Centre 2.0 with 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports are Alienware, G Series and XPS machines from Dell, and new Predator Triton 900 and Triton 500 gaming laptops from Acer.
