Network speed problem.

As I continue to test the network speed I am truly baffled. My local area connection shows 1.0Gbps. The computer on the other end shows the same but when I go to download to the other computer I get speeds between 16-20 MB/s. I know there are many variables but holy cow. What can I do?

My problem is still that there seems to be a problem between my one computer running vista 64bit and windows xp pro on the other one. I have enabled jumbo frames and nothing changes. The computer is an AMD quad core computer 4400+. That should be able to handle what I was feeding it. I changed hdd and that did not make a difference except to give me my needed space for the computer I was needing. The gig lan is a built in lan to the mobod of the computer. I don't have a NAS yet as I tried one but it was not very good.

Would buying a pci lan card be the way to go for this computer as I will use it for alternative backups etc.

Could a new nic card in each computer maybe make a difference? The cards would be exactly the same. The one mobod is around 6 years old the other maybe 4. The lan that I have are on the mobod. Just a thought.

I have read many good things about this nic
Newegg.com - Intel PWLA8391GT 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps PCI PRO/1000 GT Desktop Adapter 1 x RJ45 - Network Interface Cards
The only problem is that is has no software. Will that matter? What can I do? Thanks.

This is what someone told me in another forum. What is true about this?

For 1Gbit LAN to work, you'll need GBLan adapters and cables (yes, these are different than
"Normal" CAT-5 cables) in all devices on your network, including switches & routers.

I did not think routers would affect it after it is hooked up to the switch.

My network goes like this. Internet in to a 2wire modem/router-----gig switch-----computer-- also from the gig switch------ to another switch in another room------ to another computer, bluray, denon 3808CI, NAS(soon).

Would it be better to get pci or pci express nic cards? Or would it make a difference?

Newegg.com - Intel PWLA8391GTL 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps PCI PRO/1000 GT Low Profile Desktop Adapter 1 x RJ45 - Network Interface Cards

Newegg.com - Intel EXPI9301CT 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps PCI-Express Gigabit CT Desktop Adapter 1 x RJ45 - Network Interface Cards

Will there be a difference?

Look at it this way, just because everything is a Gigabyte connection does NOT mean you will achieve those speeds. Downloading files from a local host or server is limited to that servers hardware capabilities, like the hard drive specifically. The CPU and the network card play roles but you can not base your speeds solely on the network. The network is built to handle it, yes, but the end devices can not successfully implement those speeds due to hardware limitations other than the network.