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Slow Wired Speeds Despite Gigabit Internet and Cat 8 Cables

DudeSquad999
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ISP: Verizon Gigabit Fios (1 Gbps)

Current Setup:

  • Primary Router: Xfinity-provided router

  • Mesh System: Google WiFi AC1304 (Ethernet backhaul)

  • PC Connection: Wired Ethernet from Google WiFi point in basement using Cat 8 cable

  • Network Management: Google Home app

Issue:

Wired speeds on PC max out around 200-250 Mbps despite gigabit internet and Cat 8 Ethernet. Suspect bottleneck or configuration issue.

What I've Tried:

  • Using Cat 8 cables throughout

  • Ethernet backhaul on Google WiFi mesh

  • Speed tests directly connected to Google WiFi point

What I Want to Know:

  • Why am I getting only ~200-250 Mbps speeds on wired connection?

  • Is Google WiFi AC1304 a bottleneck for gigabit speeds?

  • Could double NAT or router settings be causing speed drops?

  • How can I diagnose or fix this?

  • Recommendations on gear or setup to achieve full gigabit wired speeds

Thanks for any advice or help!

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Simple first step is to connect the PC to the modem directly, restart (or power cycle) the modem, and test you internet bandwidth. That will help you determine if it's the modem/router from Xfinity or the Google mesh business.

 

 

But help me understand one thing. You say there is an ethernet backhaul between the wifi mesh devices, does that mean you are connecting all of the wifi mesh components directly with ethernet? And then you are connecting your PC to a mesh device also with an ethernet? Is there a wifi signal being transmitted anywhere along the line between your PC and modem?

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Cut out the middleman and put a switch in before the wifi puck. 
So instead of `Router - Wifi node - PC` you get `Router - Switch - PC` with the wifi note also connected to the switch. 

5950X/4090FE primary rig  |  1920X/1070Ti Unraid for dockers  |  200TB TrueNAS w/ 1:1 backup

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3 hours ago, johnt said:

Simple first step is to connect the PC to the modem directly, restart (or power cycle) the modem, and test you internet bandwidth. That will help you determine if it's the modem/router from Xfinity or the Google mesh business.

 

 

But help me understand one thing. You say there is an ethernet backhaul between the wifi mesh devices, does that mean you are connecting all of the wifi mesh components directly with ethernet? And then you are connecting your PC to a mesh device also with an ethernet? Is there a wifi signal being transmitted anywhere along the line between your PC and modem?

I get 1.8 Gbps when connected directly to the modem this confirms my internet service and modem are delivering high speeds.

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28 minutes ago, DudeSquad999 said:

how do you determine that 

 

27 minutes ago, DudeSquad999 said:

and how would i fix that it also says in the app that i have a good contention 

 

Well you plugged the PC directly into the modem and you got 1.8 Gbps downloads for your internet bandwidth test, right? So you removed the Google gear out of the equation and the problem went away. I am assuming that once you place your PC back into the network with the Google gear, your speeds go down again?

 

If you are not coming to the same conclusions or do not see how I came to this conclusion, maybe you didn't plug your PC directly to your modem then?

 

I have no clue what good contention means. What app??

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4 minutes ago, DudeSquad999 said:

i am in the basement so i cant get ethernet in the basemnet and my dad will be mad if i unplug the point

If your connection from PC > WiFi Point > Main Router > Modem is not completely wired at every point then you are not wired throughout and you're using WiFi from the WiFi Point to the main router

Current Network Layout:

Current Build Log/PC:

Storage Server Setup:

 

Prior Build Log/PC:

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7 minutes ago, Lurick said:

If your connection from PC > WiFi Point > Main Router > Modem is not completely wired at every point then you are not wired throughout and you're using WiFi from the WiFi Point to the main router

@DudeSquad999 This is it exactly, which explains why you are not seeing higher numbers in your bandwidth tests. Unless you remove the wifi components out of the way, then you cannot tell if it is the wifi equipment or the modem that is causing the issue. But the reality is that most wifi equipment does not reach 1 Gbps speeds even though it is advertised. There is a lot of conditions, but it's a pipedream for most wifi equipment. You need pretty expensive gear for that, which the Google stuff does not fall under.

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Just now, johnt said:

@DudeSquad999 This is it exactly, which explains why you are not seeing higher numbers in your bandwidth tests. Unless you remove the wifi components out of the way, then you cannot tell if it is the wifi equipment or the modem that is causing the issue. But the reality is that most wifi equipment does not reach 1 Gbps speeds even though it is advertised. There is a lot of conditions, but it's a pipedream for most wifi equipment. You need pretty expensive gear for that, which the Google stuff does not fall under.

i just need help getting better speeds

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Just now, DudeSquad999 said:

i just need help getting better speeds

You cannot magically get better speeds when the limitation is WiFi connectivity and signal.

Your WiFi Point to the Main Router is connected via WiFi, unless you can make every point hardwired, which you just said you cannot do in the basement, then there is no magic that will give you faster speeds. You're limited by the strength of the wifi signal between the two points.

Current Network Layout:

Current Build Log/PC:

Storage Server Setup:

 

Prior Build Log/PC:

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14 minutes ago, DudeSquad999 said:

so what should i do?

Is there a wire going between the two Google wifi devices?

 

Edit: I mean an ethernet wire, not electricity.

 

Edit 2: Because you mentioned it was a wired backhaul so I figured that means there is an ethernet cable. I am just confirming.

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On 5/22/2025 at 10:03 AM, DudeSquad999 said:

  • Mesh System: Google WiFi AC1304 (Ethernet backhaul)

  • PC Connection: Wired Ethernet from Google WiFi point in basement using Cat 8 cable

Is there a wireless hop between the WiFi point in the basement and the primary mesh point connected to the modem?

 

31 minutes ago, DudeSquad999 said:

i am in the basement so i cant get ethernet in the basemnet and my dad will be mad if i unplug the point

So there is no ethernet/wired continuity between the PC in the basement and the primary mesh point?

 

This sounds like the basement segment of the network is behaving like a wireless bridge. Additionally, you're dependent on a wireless bridge in a basement - most omnidirectional WiFi APs/mesh systems have weak vertical wireless penetration, moreso if that signal has to go through floors/walls.

 

I came across this article reviewing a similar Google WiFi system and it performed the same as yours when used as a wireless bridge. Otherwise, WAN to LAN and LAN to WAN wired connections can reach over 900Mbps, but that's where you have ethernet straight through.

 

You're getting the best speeds with your current setup and circumstances. To get closer to gigabit speeds, you need to run ethernet straight down to the basement, attach a switch, and connect your other devices to that switch.

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