NP8153 - Having Strange Wifi Issues

I created a YouTube video to reach a larger audience and hopefully find a solution. I seem to be having difficulty with the Intel 8260 WiFi card that came stock and I can't seem to pinpoint the problem. Is this a hardware thing or a Windows 10 thing? I made the video super short (3:30). I'd like to get this fixed before Battlefield 1 is released. Thank you to anyone who gives advice in advance.

 

Could you try to boot off a Linux Live CD and ping again? Downloading and starting off that should not take too long. That could help to rule out a driver issue.

Otherwise I'd try to install older w10 Intel network drivers and see if it makes a difference.

Also, it might be your router assigning your Intel card with "low priority" or some similar setting, try searching in your router for connected devices and if it's somehow crippled in the settings.

 

Could be a firmware thing, subject to the router, but I would start with your driver. Have you already removed the driver that came installed and then installed the latest from Intel (sorry if you mentioned it already in the video; I stopped once I saw the latency issue)?

 

Hey Prostar.

So far, in order, I started with the manufacture drivers and in the video was using the one from the Intel website. The Intel site is newer, but they do the same exact thing.

I tried the really slow performing Linksys stock firmware prior to render and the results were the same.

 

Hey Sirana,

Thanks for the quick feedback and suggestions. I will give the Linux thing a shot.

In terms of "low priority" are you suggesting I try out QoS? I'll start with Linux boot and see what happens.

 

Alright Gentlemen,

I just got done installing and testing response times from Linux and got the same results. I also found the oldest drivers I could find for the Intel 8260 and still the same.

I currently haven't messed with any priority settings on router; however, it seems off that all Wifi devices work great except one. I will look at this last.

I'm about to power off laptop and try something. I have a spare AzureWave AW-CE123H from my Mini-ITX X99 motherboard that I never used so I just left in the box. If it fits the same slot, I'll put it in, load up new drivers, and give it another shot.

 

Yeah WiFi problems are quite tricky, it could be many things. Off the top of my head, your router's chipset may not like that of the newer 8260AC's. Antenna placement could be a few mm off, or the cable could be pinched. You could have a defective card that's working enough for regular consumption but constantly requires ECC (hence latency). It could be bad drivers for the 8260AC etc. etc. etc.

 

I'm still reaching out to the XOTICPC team. Hopefully they can help me work with Sager to get things worked out.

This afternoon we tested it on an older wireless router my in-laws had spare. The problem was identical on the that router as well. Finally, my plan failed to "test the Dell's wifi card on new laptop" because when I opened it up I noticed the form factor was a bit smaller than the other two (see picture).

 

The 6205 is a mPCIe card, the 8260 is a M.2 card. If you're gonna try a different card, there's a killer networks card (don't remember the model ## of the top of my head though).

 

Looks like the Killer™ Dual Band Wireless-AC 1535 is the other card I could have got for $15 more. Eric F from XoticPC is currently trying to communicate with Sager. I'm hoping to have an answer back soon, but don't feel super rushed. I told Eric as long as the latency issues are fixed before Battlefield One is release it's all good.

 

Which one is better Killer™ Dual Band Wireless-AC 1535 or Intel 8260AC?

 

The Killer brand website advertises that module as though it was intended for gaming. Throughput wise, they appear to be nearly identical.

 

I recall reading something to the effect that Killer cards have firmware that "optimize" network traffic, giving priority to games. How good of a job they do at that, I have no idea. Both cards are good.

 

Always go with Intel for superior compatibility, and usually superior performance.

 

My Killer 1525 has been superior to the Intel wifi cards which I have always had.. Connection drop outs are minimal.. However if you use Bluetooth, Intel does have better drivers!

 

Plus if you want to use Linux at all, Intel has better drivers. In general, Intel has better drivers. In real-world, real-time, high-bandwidth applications like multi-GBE enterprise servers, Intel is by far the most common from what I have seen.

 

I had Killer 1535 in the Sky X9 review unit and it was flawless. Never had a lick of trouble. I ordered the same for the P870DM-G and it was likewise flawless and trouble-free.

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the Intel 8260 in my P750ZM. It originally had a crappy Realtek WiFi card in it that refused to function under Windows 7 for some bizarre reason. I purchased the 8260 to replace it and totally regret having done so. If I could do it over again I would absolutely choose the Killer 1535 instead of the Intel 8260. The Killer 1535 performs better and is more stable.

Try removing the Intel PROSet wireless software garbage and use Windows to manage the WiFi. Use the stripped down driver package for Enterprise environments, not the consumer junk. That does seem to help a little bit. The PROSet software sucks.

 

where have been more than wifi issues going on currently....right?

 

Alright guys. I wanted to update everyone and let you know that the situation was resolved. I don't actually know what kind of cause it was in terms of hardware, but replacement card of the same kind actually fixed it. I didn't even reinstall any drivers. It works perfectly now just like all the other devices in the house.

Thanks again for all those who had given their input and suggestions.

I took down the video as it was not a reflection of XoticPC or Sager, but simply the card as far as I can tell.