I need help optimizing my LAN

[mouser58907]

I have a HTPC that I often transfer large files to. I've worked hard on making sure I have all the equipment to have a fast LAN, but for some reason Windows 7 is slowing it down. I've tried following directions all over the net and haven't had any luck. I'll post my equipment and the results of my experiments below.

Equipment:

• Desktop (W7/Ubuntu) - Ethernet 1gbps
• MacBook Pro (OSX) -Ethernet or Wireless
• HTPC (W7) - Wireless but can hook up gigabit Ethernet for testing
• ASUS N56-U Gigabit Router (Latest firmware)
• All ethernet cables are Cat-5e
• No other 2.4Ghz equipment nearby.

Tests:

• Direct Ethernet from Desktop W7 to HTPC W7 - ~100 MBps
• Same, but through router, - 3-10 MBps
• Again through router but Desktop Ubuntu to HTPC W7 - 3-10 MBps
• Macbook Pro to Ubuntu - 60MBps

This tells me the router is working as transferring back and forth between Ubuntu/OSX works fine. However, when my Windows 7 HTPC gets involved it slows down significantly. ONLY if the router is involved though. Direct ethernet gave me 100 MBps. This makes me think it has to be a setting in Windows 7. I've spent dozens of hours trying to figure this out myself, but can not figure out anything.


For the record, I am aware of differences in bits/bytes and they are correctly labeled in this post.

 

[mouser58907]

I ran another experiment: Windows 7 to Macbook also gets 60MBps. So Sending isn't the issue, just recieving on the HTPC