I upgraded my Spectrum internet plan to 1 Gbps. When I connect my computer directly to the modem over Ethernet, I get roughly the full advertised speed. However, when I connect the modem to my Gryphon AC3000 router and then connect my computer to the router, speeds top out around 300 Mbps and sometimes drop as low as 100 Mbps. I already tried another Ethernet cable with the same result. Is the router limited by its hardware or security features, and should I replace it?
3 Answers
First confirm that the router’s Internet port and your computer’s Ethernet connection are both negotiating at 1 Gbps rather than 100 Mbps. If they are, run a wired speed test with features like parental controls, threat protection, and traffic inspection disabled. Some routers lose a lot of throughput when those services are enabled. Also, the AC3000 label usually describes combined wireless link rates, not the actual wired routing speed, so it does not guarantee gigabit performance.
You may not notice much difference during normal browsing or streaming because a single 4K stream typically uses only around 25 Mbps. The extra bandwidth is still useful for several people using the connection at once and for large downloads, but the speed difference you’re seeing points to a router limitation rather than a problem with the modem or cable.
The router is probably the bottleneck. Its processor may be handling security features such as packet inspection, or the hardware may simply be designed for around 300 Mbps rather than a full gigabit. Check the exact model's wired WAN-to-LAN specifications and try temporarily disabling advanced security features to see whether performance improves. If the limit remains, a newer gigabit-capable router would be the practical fix.
That matches what I was thinking. The connection seems to max out around 300 Mbps and occasionally falls to 100, so I’ll check the router’s specifications and security settings before replacing it.
The router model appears to be the Gryphon AC3000. I’ll verify the negotiated link speed and look specifically for its real WAN-to-LAN throughput instead of relying on the wireless rating.