Intel Z490 chipset network controller would have some performance issues

Everything suggests that in the next few days we should see how Intel Comet Lake-S processors hit the market. These processors with up to 10 cores and 20 threads are based on the more than obsolete 14nm lithography. New motherboards are required for these processors due to the new socket. These motherboards carry the Intel Z490 chipset, which appears to have an Ethernet performance problem.

The Z490 chipset integrates the Intel i225 controller from the Foxville family that enables 2.5Gbps Ethernet. It appears that this integrated controller has a major performance issue. The most worrying thing is that this problem cannot be corrected through a firmware update.

Intel Z490 Chipset Has Network Controller Issues

Based on a leaked image, Foxville family controllers would have a variance in packet delivery compared to the IEEE 2.5 BASE-T standard. This problem involves a loss of packets on the network and a slight loss of performance. According to Intel's own data, the loss ranges from 1Mb / s to 10Mb / s. We are talking about an extremely small loss for a 2.5GbE connection.

It appears that Intel engineers are already working on the problem, in addition to third-party network testing. One alternative could be to purchase a motherboard with an integrated network controller from a third party company. It is not normal to see it on Intel motherboards and if a second controller is integrated, the predominant one is still Intel's.

The slide seems to indicate that the hardware solution will arrive during the second half of 2020. It will be at that moment when a new chipset stepping is launched to theoretically correct this problem. It should be noted that there are rumors that in Q2 2020 will be when Intel begins production of the Rocket Lake-S processors. This could advance the arrival of the Rocket Lake and life in the Comet Lake market is minimal.

Source: VZ