--- a/src/drivers/net/intel.c
+++ b/src/drivers/net/intel.c
@@ -681,6 +681,27 @@
 		intel->force_icr = INTEL_IRQ_RXT0;
 	}
 
+	/*
+	 * Intel PCI/PCI-X family of Gigabit Ethernet control Software Developers's
+	 * Manual Rev 4.0
+	 *
+	 * 13.4.18 Interrupt Throttling Register
+	 * advises - 651 to 5580 - for "optimal performance setting"
+	 */
+
+	uint32_t const throttle_before = readl ( intel->regs + INTEL_ITR );
+	uint32_t const throttle = 651; /* 651 * 256µs -> 0.166 ms */
+
+	writel( throttle, intel->regs + INTEL_ITR );
+
+	uint64_t const value = readl ( intel->regs + INTEL_ITR );
+
+	dde_printf("throttle RX interrupt %luµs%s -> %luµs - %s\n",
+	           256ul * throttle_before / 1000ul,
+	           throttle_before ? "" : "(off)",
+	           256ul * value / 1000ul,
+	           value == throttle ? "succeeded" : "failed");
+
 	return 0;
 
 	intel_destroy_ring ( intel, &intel->rx );
--- a/src/drivers/net/intel.h
+++ b/src/drivers/net/intel.h
@@ -102,6 +102,9 @@
 #define INTEL_IRQ_RXO		0x00000040UL	/**< Receive overrun */
 #define INTEL_IRQ_RXT0		0x00000080UL	/**< Receive timer */
 
+/** Interrupt throttling Register */
+#define INTEL_ITR 0x000C4UL
+
 /** Interrupt Mask Set/Read Register */
 #define INTEL_IMS 0x000d0UL