Why it issues: A suspected design flaw in Intel’s I226-V Ethernet controller is inflicting connectivity interruptions on some Intel z700-series motherboards. The break, which has been reported on a number of boards since late final 12 months, sometimes lasts a number of seconds and happens with out warning. The difficulty is restricted to Intel’s 2.5GbE controller on the impacted boards and doesn’t have an effect on Realtek, Marvell, or different kinds of onboard controllers.
In line with analysis performed by the group at TechPowerUp, the difficulty is attributed to the I226-V controller when operating in its default 2.5 GbE state. The brief period connectivity drops happen at random and is probably not noticeable by some customers relying on their particular exercise degree. It does, nonetheless, create a noticeable influence to any customers engaged in duties or actions requiring a gradual, dependable connection reminiscent of gaming, streaming, or utilizing any PC-based communication instruments.
There may be presently no identified repair for the difficulty, and the embedded controller is much from replaceable or serviceable for the widespread consumer. The group did report a number of workarounds, which embrace utilizing the board’s onboard wi-fi functionality or shopping for and putting in a PCIe community adapter. Larger-tier boards may additionally have the ability to keep away from the difficulty by utilizing any extra onboard connectivity choices that don’t faucet into the identical Intel-based resolution. Driver and firmware updates have confirmed ineffective in resolving the difficulty to date.
Customers who suspect they could be affected can simply confirm any associated warnings utilizing Home windows Occasion Viewer. The occasions are labeled as e2fexpress within the viewer’s supply column with an Occasion ID of 27. Clicking on the warning will present extra info, which particularly names the Intel(R) Ethernet Controller I226-V.
The defective controller creates yet one more stumbling block in Intel’s line of value efficient however problematic onboard community controllers. The controller’s predecessor, the I225-V, was already identified to have its fair proportion of points over the past a number of years. Customers reported related connectivity issues to these described above, proper right down to the lack of connectivity and the reported Occasion Viewer entry ID 27. The I225-V’s connectivity points could possibly be labored round by forcing the adapter to run at 1 GbE.
Sadly for 700-series customers, the 1 GbE workaround does not maintain true for the I226-V’s points. This leaves low- to mid-tier board homeowners requiring a wired connection in a really unlucky place the place they will seemingly must spend extra cash to retain core performance. Hopefully Intel finds a option to handle the present state of affairs, as requiring customers to purchase one other piece of {hardware} to reinforce an already-known defective element is hardly acceptable.
Picture credit score: Steve’s {Hardware}