Network switch drops download speed by 90%

When I connect a system directly to Cat cable, I get 350 Mbps download. But when I use a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch, download speed drops to about 35 Mbps. I use switch since two systems have to share one cat cable.

I have tried an old Netgear Ethernet FS105 switch and a relatively new Tenda 10/100 desktop switch. Both used to proved fast internet download speeds on two systems simultaneously. Within last two weeks, the switch causes a huge loss of download speed in Win 10 (Pro and Home, ver. 21H2.)
Are there Win 10 settings that may have inadvertently changed? (There are no hardware issues like cable or switch.)
Thanks in advance to the experts.

Let's look at what you have:

You note that your switch is a 10/100 Mbps switch. This implies that the absolute maximum theoretical signaling speed is 100 Mbps. In reality, you will get a bit less than that. In other words, it is physically impossible to push 350 Mbps through that switch.

To remedy this, replace that switch with a gigabit (1,000 Mbps / 1 Gbps) switch. In the US these can be easily obtained for under $20 or maybe a little more for a big time name brand.

Thanks for the two replies. But why am I getting 30-35 Mbps when the limit on the switch is 100 Mbps?
Any recommendation for a 4-port Ethernet switch that can get up to 600 Mbps (don't need Poe, whatever that it).

Samuria,
Thanks for the response. How can I check what mode is the network card connecting at: 10meg or 100meg full duplex?
I will check and report back to you. Hopefully, I can change it in Windows or in BIOS to the 100 Mbps full duplex.
Because what's the use of getting a faster switch if the NIC is not set up right?
Nevertheless, when the system is connected directly to the cable (with switch), it gets 350 Mbps. Wouldn't that imply that there is no issue with the mode of connection?

The system that you are using has gigabit (or higher) Ethernet. as a result, when you connect it directly, it is establishing a gigabit connection because your router is also capable of gigabit speed.

To see what speed and duplex you are connected with, open a command prompt and run this command:

PowerShell Get-NetAdapter | SELECT name, LinkSpeed, fullduplex | ft -autosize

hsehestedt said:

Let's look at what you have:

You note that your switch is a 10/100 Mbps switch. This implies that the absolute maximum theoretical signaling speed is 100 Mbps. In reality, you will get a bit less than that. In other words, it is physically impossible to push 350 Mbps through that switch.

To remedy this, replace that switch with a gigabit (1,000 Mbps / 1 Gbps) switch. In the US these can be easily obtained for under $20 or maybe a little more for a big time name brand.

What do you think of the TP-Link TL-SG105S
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-TL-SG...832000-20&th=1

As for maximum theoretical throughput on a 100Mbps link, I'd have to do a bit of research, but you will never, never, ever see 100mbps. Bear in mind that this is the SIGNALING rate of the line. Aside from your data there are packet headers including data such as a preamble, source and destination address, etc., delays between the time data is sent and a response, and other factors that affect the total real world throughput.

As for the switch that you pointed out, my gut feel is that this should be a solid choice. I've not used their switches before, but I have used several other pieces of TP-Link gear and always had good results. The fact that this switch also has a lifetime warranty at that price is a good bonus as well.

Edit: 5 star average rating with 4,750 reviews as well. I'd say that's pretty good

I edited my post (got the model number wrong, sorry about that). Prices depend on where you live, on amazon.com right now if you buy from the Netgear brand the 8 port version is $1 cheaper than the 5 port.

8 port:
Amazon.com

5 port:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S98YLHM