Download Speed

[karlF]

Im on Ntl's 600mb service and was wondering why whenever I download something it starts off at 125kb/s and drops straight to approx. 60kb/s. Is this normal and is there any way to increase it?

[Jonny]

It's because your browser starts downloading the file while the save as box is up, but only starts the timer when the transfer box starts...

So the download speed starts high (as it thinks its downloaded a lot in no time at all), then flattens out to a more 'realistic' rate..

[karlF]

So is 60kb/s normal for a download? I've heard about download managers that are supposed to speed up downloads but ive not found one that works. Any ideas?

[voodoo_melon]

I get around 66-70k/s on NTL 600kbit. Download manager things speed up by splitting the download into bits so if you can already get 60+k/s on a file it's not gonna make much difference.

[Jon]

I was fooled by these numbers until it was explained to me.

You have a 600kilobit per second connection.

You are downloading at 60kilobytes per second.

8bits = 1byte,

so 600/8 = 75kilobytes is maximum theoretical download speed.

[Infinity]

I normally get about 120k/s on my 1MB connection, I wonder whether a download manager would speed it up even further :confused:

Your 60k/s sounds about right for a connection of that speed :nod:

Jut

[voodoo_melon]

I normally get about 120k/s on my 1MB connection, I wonder whether a download manager would speed it up even further :confused:

Your 60k/s sounds about right for a connection of that speed :nod:

Jut
If you're already using all your bandwidth (which you are) it won't speed it up at all.

[Infinity]

If you're already using all your bandwidth (which you are) it won't speed it up at all.

That's pretty much what I figured... I was considering using a bonded broadband solution (through Nildram - my ISP) as it not only doubles your downstream, but also your upstream. Very handy for FTPing, which I do a fare bit of.

The prices are very good considering, but the hardware is a little on the expensive side. I think the CISCO router (Nildram tested only CISCO) that was recommended to me was about £1500. That was to "cheap" one.

I think I'll be happy with the connection I've got for now :nod:

Jut

[Dave_S]

Bear in mind there is a slight overhead in your connection, you will NEVER download at absolute maximum speed if you have to upload anything at all, likewise, if you max out your upstream bandwidth you won't be able to download :wack:

Dave

[KevJ]

Try www.pcpitstop.com and do a connection speed test... :thumbs:

[Kiruji]

Try www.pcpitstop.com and do a connection speed test... :thumbs:

104k/s according to that (829kb/s) :thumbs:

[karlF]

Try www.pcpitstop.com and do a connection speed test... :thumbs:
Bandwidth Down 261 Kbits/sec
Bandwidth Up 125 Kbits/sec
:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Sibbers]

Yay, I get about 350k/sec on average... Still nothing compared to work, or broadband in the states.

[amnesia]

I noticed somewhere is now doing domestic 3Mb broadband in the UK... can't for the life of me remember who though.

Still someway to go to get the 8Mb available in other countries though :(

[Sibbers]

yep, that'd be blueyonder/telewest which is the service I use... it is nice and quick indeedy :thumbs:

[voodoo_melon]

There was something posted on the Register iirc about some Swedish company that was doing domestic 100mbit for about £50/month :cry:

[Midgers]

Download Bandwidth Test Results
Download speed: 499 kilobits per second

is that good? just tested the works connection:)

EDIT: Just tried it at bandwithplace.com and got 921 kilobits per second... bit better