MSI X99A GODLIKE Gaming Review

Networking Performance

For our networking tests we connect the test system up to our Intel Gigabit-enabled ASUS Rampage IV Extreme X79 motherboard test system through the ASUS RT-AC68U router and run our tests. We opted for this over a direct point-to-point connection because we wanted to simulate real-world performance. For our WiFi tests we do the same except we connect the test system to the ASUS RT-AC68U router via WiFi at a distance of 2 metres from the router.

LAN Speed Test Lite

LAN Speed Test was designed from the ground up to be a simple but powerful tool for measuring file transfer, hard drive, USB Drive, and Local Area Network (LAN) speeds (wired & wireless).  It does this by building a file in memory, then transfers it both ways (without effects of windows file caching) while keeping track of the time. Download the free Lan Speed Test Lite utility from here.

In this test, the LAN options proved less than impressive and when both combined together; it was obvious on screen that both options didn’t communicate well.

Passmark Performance Test 8

The PassMark Advanced Network Test (which is part of PerformanceTest) is designed to test the data transfer rate between two computers both of which must be running PerformanceTest. One of the computers must act as the server and will sit waiting for a connection. The other computer acts as a client. It connects to the server machine and sends data to it for the duration of the test. You can download a trial version of PerformanceTest from here.

Ethernet

Passmark is a completely different test, showing how the new Killer E2400 option is the best currently available. The results are now being limited by the receiving LAN, but they are really close to the rated speed.

WiFi – 2.4GHz and 5GHz

The WiFi option is slightly confusing, the ACK WiFi option has previously proved superior in the likes of the MSI Z97 Gaming 9 motherboard. It proves it is a strong contender, but not against the rest of the X99 offerings.