How do I connect 27 inch, 2017 retina iMac for fastest Internet?

Question

How do I connect 27 inch, 2017 retina iMac for fastest Internet?

I’m getting fiber-optic Internet in mid October. The provider offers 1 GB, 2 GB or 5 GB hardwired service, and will provide a 1.2 gig Wi-Fi router.

First, is there a Wi-Fi router that is faster than 1.2 gig so that I could benefit from purchasing a 2 GBps service?

Second I have a 27 inch 2017 retina display iMac that currently is using Wi-Fi. Will it allow me to get 2 GBps if I somehow have them hardwire it?

I’m not sure which port to use, but I think the ethernet port on the unit is limited to 1 GBps

Here are the specifications from Apple for the computer.

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) - Technical Specifications

Connections and Expansion

3.5 mm headphone jack
SDXC card slot
Four USB 3 ports (compatible with USB 2)
Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports with support for:
- DisplayPort
- Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps)
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)
- Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI, and VGA supported using adapters (sold separately)
10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Kensington lock slot

Wireless

Wi-Fi
802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 4.2 wireless technology

I appreciate any input that you’re able to give me. Thank you.

Will

Posted on Sep 25, 2023 6:12 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

over-repairs computers Author

Level 1

21 points

Sep 26, 2023 1:00 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Thank you everybody for your input. all of you gave me questions to think about and to ask technical support today.

I talked with the Internet service provider, and they have 10 G ethernet ports on the router. I found out from the technical service person there that he actually uses a thunderbolt 3 port to get his Internet on his MacBook (Pro?) at home. He uses a dock, but he said that an adapter for thunderbolt 3 to 10 G ethernet would work to connect my iMac to the router and therefore to the Internet. It should be an automatic recognition.

Likewise, I talked with a supplier of one of these adapters, and the technical support also said that this kind of adapter is intended to work this way, and provide higher speed Internet than what the 10/100/1000 ethernet port on the iMac can provide. I was told that I should get 10 Gbps rate at maximum through this type of connection.

Again, thank you for helping me.

Will

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Answer 2

Sep 26, 2023 8:23 AM in response to ku4hx

ku4hx wrote:

But to get an ISP signal be used by a TB3 port is not a standard connection means. I've always had to use an Ethernet adapter. What leads you too believe a naked TB3 port can use an ISP signal?

He asked about a "a thunderbolt 3 to 10 Gigabit ethernet adapter."

A Google search suggests that there are several brands of these, ranging from about $160 to $300+. Note that some of these have 10BASE-T Ethernet ports and others have SFP ports. I'm guessing that a router intended for home use will be designed to use 10BASE-T – but matching the port type on the adapter to that on the router is certainly one of the things the OP needs to consider when signing up for very-high-speed Internet service.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,134 points

Sep 26, 2023 7:02 AM in response to over-repairs computers

Your 2017 iMac has a WiFi 5 802.11ac radio that is capped at a theoretical 1.3 Gbps depending on household interference. You need to find out what the ISP's 1.2 GB Wi-Fi router can output, and let that drive whether you stand with the built-in WiFi, or purchase a faster WiFi 6 802.11ax dongle. Does the Fiber ISP offer faster premise wireless router options for your Fiber installation?

Even with fiber between you and the ISP head end, the Internet is a maze of dynamic Internet bandwidth inter-connections and the small print from your fiber ISP may read up to the specified bandwidth for delivery to your home.

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Answer 4

ku4hx

Level 7

23,700 points

Sep 26, 2023 12:13 AM in response to over-repairs computers

I've never seen a router that uses TB3; all I've ever used were either wireless or Ethernet. But then I'm only interested in those two connections anyway so I've never researched.

If the connectors are TB3 compatible then sure, why not? If you have, or can buy, a router that allows a wired connection via TB3 you'll need to try that and see.

But to get an ISP signal be used by a TB3 port is not a standard connection means. I've always had to use an Ethernet adapter. What leads you too believe a naked TB3 port can use an ISP signal?

"They say that their service can provide 2Gbps service to a device wired to the router."

I think you're going to find that "wire" is an Ethernet cable. Generally a "wired" connection is Ethernet.

Good luck.

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Answer 5

Sep 25, 2023 7:20 PM in response to over-repairs computers

With the kind of iMac that I have:

Actually what I’m trying to ask is whether or not a thunderbolt port or USB port can be used to connect to the Internet. If so then I am asking what kind of equipment I may need to connect for 2 Gbps internet service. I’m not asking for a particular brand of equipment.

Second if I’m simply asking if Wi-Fi routers exist that will give me 2 Gbps connection for a computer that has 802.11ac Wi-Fi. I am not asking you to advertise any brand to buy.

I’m just wanting to know what kinds of equipment I might be able to use to get the fastest connection when I get my new service provider.

Thank you

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Answer 6

ku4hx

Level 7

23,700 points

Sep 25, 2023 7:48 PM in response to over-repairs computers

The speed potential is limited by the fastest protocol the computer has: 802.11ac, 802.11ax and so on. Your 2017 Mac has no faster than 802.11ac.

https://www.extremetech.com/internet/160837-what-is-802-11ac-and-how-much-faster-than-802-11n-is-it

Keep in mind potential is never actual; actual will necessarily be slower.

Each router's maker will give you their max potentials, or they should.

To determine exact speeds on your system, with your equipment, you will have to experiment to tell which is actually fastest; all setups differ.

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Answer 7

Sep 25, 2023 8:20 PM in response to ku4hx

Thank you. I understand the variability of speed via Wi-Fi.

Can the thunderbolt 3 ports allow me to connect to the Internet provider’s router through a thunderbolt 3 to 10 Gigabit ethernet adapter?

They say that their service can provide 2Gbps service to a device wired to the router.

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Answer 8

ku4hx

Level 7

23,700 points

Sep 26, 2023 1:50 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Well ok.

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How do I connect 27 inch, 2017 retina iMac for fastest Internet?

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