Intel Releases Windows Workaround and Patch for Ethernet Stuttering and Disconnects

[TheLostSwede]

At the end of January, we reported on issues with Intel's i226-V 2.5 Gbps Ethernet controllers, which are used on a wide range of motherboards with both Intel and AMD CPUs, where users were having issues with stuttering and connections dropping. Intel has now released a workaround and a patch for the issue, not only for the i226, but also the i225 and the Killer E3100 2.5 Gbps network controller. What the workaround does, is disable the Energy-Efficient Ethernet mode, or EEE as it's also known as. EEE is only supposed to kick in when an Ethernet connection is idle and it's said to reduce power consumption by up to 50 percent.

However, in this case, it seems like EEE kicks in even when the Ethernet connection is active, which is causing the stuttering and connection dropouts. The patch disables EEE for all speeds above 100 Mbps, but it's also possible to disable EEE manually in the device settings in Windows. MSI is the first motherboard manufacturer to have released an updated driver on its site, but as this isn't a final solution to the problem, it's unlikely that this is the last we'll hear about the issue. Intel is apparently working on finding the root cause of the problem, but it's unclear if it's going to be possible to patch it in software or if a hardware revision is going to be required in the end.



Update Mar 4th: User @lovingbenji reports that on his system this new driver version does not fix the disconnect issue.

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[noel_fs]

Very weird intel investigating looking to fix something, usually they just disable shit and call it a day.

 

[Solaris17]

Very weird intel investigating looking to fix something, usually they just disable shit and call it a day.

Since when? What kinda baseless statement is that?

 

[Zareek]

So, I've been reading about the Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet woes for a while now. They are flushing their fantastic reputation for reliability right down the crapper with how they handled the i225 woes. I figured the i226 was a result of fixing all the issues the i225 had. It's a strange world when Realtek is making better Ethernet chips than Intel.

 

[ncrs]

Very weird intel investigating looking to fix something, usually they just disable shit and call it a day.

Well the "fix" for this issue is disabling EEE

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Since when? What kinda baseless statement is that?

AVX512
SGX
both of these were within 2 years.

 

[ncrs]

Since when? What kinda baseless statement is that?

Two examples off the top of my head: disabling TSX in CPUs, disabling DX12 in Haswell. I am sure there's more which isn't really surprising.

 

[Solaris17]

AVX512
SGX
both of these were within 2 years.

What do you mean? Those exist. You mean in the consumer space?

None of these have anything to do with an ethernet chip what?

 

[ncrs]

AVX512
SGX
both of these were within 2 years.

Do you mean AVX-512 in Alder Lake? As far as remember that wasn't really a removal since Intel never specified it as supported in the first place. It only worked with very early chips using an outdated microcode.
As far as I know SGX wasn't disabled like TSX was, it was removed from subsequent generations after 10th gen Core.

 

[PapaTaipei]

Asus probably never gonna update their bios.I have this exact problem since I bought an Asus mobo 1.5 years ago. Their driver installation is bugged and they never fixed them.

 

[zlobby]

Two examples off the top of my head: disabling TSX in CPUs, disabling DX12 in Haswell. I am sure there's more which isn't really surprising.

Disabling Hyperthreading and ME for side channel vulerability mitigation... List goes on.

Asus probably never gonna update their bios.

They will surely release a new mobo, though.

 

[Igb]

So, I've been reading about the Intel 2.5Gb Ethernet woes for a while now. They are flushing their fantastic reputation for reliability right down the crapper with how they handled the i225 woes. I figured the i226 was a result of fixing all the issues the i225 had. It's a strange world when Realtek is making better Ethernet chips than Intel.

Absolutely agree with you. I still have some computers with X540T2 network cards, that used to be the reference in performance and reliability. I do not know how a big company can screw up so hard in the consumer space.

Some people say that everything went downwards when they purchased Rivet Networks (the owners of the Killer series of NICs)

 

[TheLostSwede]

Asus probably never gonna update their bios.I have this exact problem since I bought an Asus mobo 1.5 years ago. Their driver installation is bugged and they never fixed them.

It's a driver fix, so what does it have to do with a BIOS/UEFI update?

 

[PapaTaipei]

It's a driver fix, so what does it have to do with a BIOS/UEFI update?

Despite writing articles here for years you still misunderstand with a passion people who just voice their experiences. Asus do not provide intel drivers, they provide the intel driver within their broken in house software/driver. 99% of ppl have integrated intel network adapter. What is your problem with me sharing my experience with Asus?

 

[HisDivineOrder]

Weird. I checked my I225-V controller and it already had Energy Efficient mode disabled. Not sure why this is being announced as a big deal since I know I didn't go in and disable it. I assume it's been disabled for over a year by default.

 

[mechtech]

"a workaround and a patch for the issue, not only for the i226, but also the i225 and the Killer E3100 2.5 Gbps network controller."

I wonder if that goes for i225 V1 and V2 and V3?

 

[zlobby]

"a workaround and a patch for the issue, not only for the i226, but also the i225 and the Killer E3100 2.5 Gbps network controller."

I wonder if that goes for i225 V1 and V2 and V3?

Let's not even start how different versions count as the same product. Pro tip, they don't!

 

[Kodehawa]

Weird. I checked my I225-V controller and it already had Energy Efficient mode disabled. Not sure why this is being announced as a big deal since I know I didn't go in and disable it. I assume it's been disabled for over a year by default.

Same on a I225-V here with a driver from February.

 

[Jism]

There's quite a batch already faulty leaving the fabrics of Intel. From NICS to CPU's that would simply degrade over time with no appearant reason.

I had a perfectly working board, X470-F that had erratic behaviour in regards of the NIC. One day the NIC stopped working, dissapeared from the BIOS completely and a few weeks later took the whole board with it.

Since then i just stick with Realtek or at least a brand that does have a reputation.

 

[R-T-B]

Disabling Hyperthreading

Yeah, they said you should. They didn't do it themselves. Details people, they ARE relevant.

 

[Chaitanya]

They will surely release a new mobo, though.

More overpriced RoGarbage spyware pushers the merier.

 

[Minus Infinity]

Despite writing articles here for years you still misunderstand with a passion people who just voice their experiences. Asus do not provide intel drivers, they provide the intel driver within their broken in house software/driver. 99% of ppl have integrated intel network adapter. What is your problem with me sharing my experience with Asus?

Then just install Intel's drivers. Asus are a joke. I have their X570 Pro WiFi and other than a few AGESA Bios updates there's barely been a driver update in 18 months. I went to Intel's website and got the newest network driver that supports the i225-v myself. Waiting for Asus is a waste of time. I won't be buying another Asus board.

 

[Kodehawa]

Then just install Intel's drivers. Asus are a joke. I have their X570 Pro WiFi and other than a few AGESA Bios updates there's barely been a driver update in 18 months. I went to Intel's website and got the newest network driver that supports the i225-v myself. Waiting for Asus is a waste of time. I won't be buying another Asus board.

To be fair manufacturers just repackage Intel's drivers... or anyone's drivers really. There's seldom times where the drivers are actually custom, and its usually the case with laptops rather than desktops. If you go to the page and download the network driver, it just installs the Intel INF files using some cursed autoinstall procedure, not too different from Intel's own (rather antiquated) driver install.

It's like expecting any motherboard manufacturer to keep the chipset driver updated on their page, just get it on AMD's page.

TL;DR: ASUS does not provide the driver updates. The manufacturer of the part provides the driver updates (Realtek/Intel/Mediatek/etc). For audio drivers usually Windows drivers are fine. Do not expect ANY motherboard manufacturer to keep them up to date on their page, it's not their in-house parts and they don't make the drivers for them. This is the case for any motherboard vendor, do not trust the latest version on their page, even if they update it every so often.

ASUS is really good at pushing BIOS updates on AMD boards compared to other manufacturers, but I've heard less than great stuff about the intel side of things. Oh well. I don't think keeping the drivers updated on their page is a reason, though. Other brands don't, either.

God damned Armoury Crate that installs itself by default with no prompts with an option you have to disable in the BIOS tho? Fuck that lmao

 

[Space Lynx]

too little too late for me. already refunded that shitty intel lan board. had no choice. work great for 3 days, then decide to spaz out.

my realtek lan on new mobo has been 100% rock solid with 0 issues.

 

[Kodehawa]

too little too late for me. already refunded that shitty intel lan board. had no choice. work great for 3 days, then decide to spaz out.

my realtek lan on new mobo has been 100% rock solid with 0 issues.

I didn't have any issues from the start. I've heard there are several revisions, though?

It's confusing.