The new and improved bandwidth speed test!

[GameMaster]

I'm not a banwidth expert but I think this site is pretty good at determing your bandwidth speed although Gekko may feel otherwise...

Since the last time I posted, this site has been redone and their test runs a little differently now. So, if you're curious to know you're bandwidth speed, go check it out here. (http://bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/)

What's your rating according to your area? Mine's fantastic! :D

[Heyyoudvd]

1.1 megabits download
136.1 kilobits upload

Those are decent. Nothing amazing, but good nevertheless.

BTW, I'm on Rogers cable in Toronto, Ontario.

What kinda score did you get?

[GameMaster]

Communications: 1.7
Storage: 201.9
1 MB File Download: 5.1 Sec

"compared to all connections worldwide yours is fantastic"

Browser may effect results.

Hmm, not bad, not bad at all. :D

[Heyyoudvd]

LOL. I got 826 megabits download and 98.5 megabits upload.

(I used the back button)

[GameMaster]

You're not supposed to use the back button :D

[Revival]

Communications: 1 megabits per second
Storage: 124.1 kilobytes per second
1MB file download: 3 seconds

Compared to all connection types worldwide, yours is fantastic.

[thehtownpoption]

Communications: 2.9 megabits/second
Storage: 351.7 kilobytes/second
1 MB file download: 2.9 seconds

That good?

Actually, the first time I did it I got like 3.4 megabits/second, which I can still get that if I do the test again.

I'm on Roadrunner cable in Houston, TX.

[Joeiss]

Communications : 503.2 kilobits per second

Storage : 61.4 kilobytes per second

1MB download file : 16.7 seconds


Crap compared to all of you, but great compared to the rest of the world.


Oh, BTW, is it because my computer is CRAP that my test isn't that good? Or is it my Internet provider? I use Rogers Cable in Toronto.

[GameMaster]

I'm gonna leave that question to the computer mod here...:D

[Perfect Stu]

Communications: 1.1 megabits per second
Storage: 130.6 kilobytes per second
1MB File Download: 7.8 seconds

compared to all connection types worldwide yours is fantastic (which sounds like a crock of crap to me, since I think that Rogers Cable here in Toronto generally sucks, but meh...I guess it's alright)

[azazela31]

Communications

24.1 kilobits per second
Storage

2.9 kilobytes per second

1MB file download 5.8 minutes

****ty 56k modems.

[gekko]

This test is accurate, but misguiding.

Download speeds are measures in BITS, not BYTES, like the traditional measurements. Then the upload speeds ARE measured in kiloBYTES.

Interesting, but it does end up accurate.

[thehtownpoption]

Originally posted by Joeiss
Communications : 503.2 kilobits per second

Storage : 61.4 kilobytes per second

1MB download file : 16.7 seconds


Crap compared to all of you, but great compared to the rest of the world.


Oh, BTW, is it because my computer is CRAP that my test isn't that good? Or is it my Internet provider? I use Rogers Cable in Toronto.

It could be either one making it slower, though maybe not for the test. For regular internet traffic where you have to load lots of text and graphics and such, if you have a slow computer and/or very little RAM, you might not get as fast as you possibly can.

For example, I have cable on my pretty powerful computer and it's pretty much lightning fast surfing. But when I used the internet on my parent's computer, which only had 32MB (which we've since upgraded to like 256), it might as well have been 56k internet it was so bad. Now with the more memory we put in it surfs much much faster, though it seems not as fast as mine probably because it's only a 200MHz machine.

The same thing happened when I used to play Age of Empires 2 online all the time, which was before I got my computer and before we got cable. If I played it on my parents' computer (which then ran much faster than the example from above I think because the hard drive is really cluttered), it would run fairly fast online. But as I got further in the game where everyone had 200 units each running around, the lag became excrutiatingly obvious. However, when I played on a faster computer at my mom's work, which used essentially the same 56k connection, everything, from the beginning to the end of the game, was considerably faster. So much faster that I often went up there at night just to play the game. :roll:

So, yeah, it could definitely be your computer if it really sucks. But it may not affect anything for this test. For example, though my parents' computer was slow for surfing, I seem to remember it being just as fast as mine when it came to straight downloading files or programs. So... I dunno for sure. :confused: :D

[Cyrax9]

OK

Performance depends on more than your copnnection speed, it also depends on your Proccessor Speed and RAM type, and amount of RAM.

For Example a Person Using a DSL modem with 64MB SDRAM, and a 400MHZ proccssor, is going to be alot slower than a person using the same DSL modem with 256MB RDRAM, and a 1.5 GHZ proccessor.

Here were my personal results:

Communications 1.4 Megabits/Second
Storage 171.4 Kilobytes/Second
1MB File DL: 6 seconds
*Note: I was running AOL for this
Rating: Fantastic, your computer is better than most in the world.

I'll tell you some reasons behind this, the first is that I'm using a 1.7 GHz P4, with 256 RDRAM and a Cable Modem. The Cable Modem had the line check before it was split, to achive optimal performance, the tip is this, have your phone or Cable line checked before using High-speed conections, it can change your connection time by 8 MB!

[Joeiss]

Originally posted by Cyrax9
OK

Performance depends on more than your copnnection speed, it also depends on your Proccessor Speed and RAM type, and amount of RAM.

For Example a Person Using a DSL modem with 64MB SDRAM, and a 400MHZ proccssor, is going to be alot slower than a person using the same DSL modem with 256MB RDRAM, and a 1.5 GHZ proccessor.

.........

I'll tell you some reasons behind this, the first is that I'm using a 1.7 GHz P4, with 256 RDRAM and a Cable Modem. The Cable Modem had the line check before it was split, to achive optimal performance, the tip is this, have your phone or Cable line checked before using High-speed conections, it can change your connection time by 8 MB!

Ohh... I am running on a cable modem. And my computer has 16 MB RAM... 200 MGhz... That explains the crap results!

[Cyrax9]

Joeiss--

If you only have 16MB of RAM, you either need a new PC or a RAM upgrade as soon as it's affordable, I have a PC running 64MB of Ram, and it's slow. Try to upgrade that if you want better results. If you wind up with an extra $3000, then you should just get an entire new computer, or if you're feeling daring, build one like my uncle did.

I hate to say this bud, but a PC's only as good as the amout of RAM it has free, if you don't have alot of RAM, you aren't going to be able to do much, such as playing games, and doing graphics programs.

[Joeiss]

Originally posted by Cyrax9
Joeiss--

If you only have 16MB of RAM, you either need a new PC or a RAM upgrade as soon as it's affordable, I have a PC running 64MB of Ram, and it's slow. Try to upgrade that if you want better results. If you wind up with an extra $3000, then you should just get an entire new computer, or if you're feeling daring, build one like my uncle did.

I hate to say this bud, but a PC's only as good as the amout of RAM it has free, if you don't have alot of RAM, you aren't going to be able to do much, such as playing games, and doing graphics programs.

I know I know. My computer is craptacular. I have $1500 that I can spend... But I just don't want to waste my money. I have been trying to get my parents to buy a new computer for the family, but they are being stupid right now. ;)

And as for as playing video games and doing graphics programs, I can't! My computer is ancient to play new video games.. And I don't even have enough room on my hard drive to download any more large files, such as a graphics program.

Damn I need a new computer... But my parents are the ones who ultimately decide whether or not we will get one... And so far, it has been a big fat NO!

Well, at least I get a new computer when I go away for University. So, that is another 3 years until I can be surfing fast on the net.

:(

[Cyrax9]

Hey, I fought the same battle with my dad about 3 times, for three different PC's. It took me a year to get this one, and I'm actually glad I waited, but I kn9w what you mean about ram. I'll put it this way, I went from Using a 486 MS-DOS machine with 33MHz and 16MB SDRAM to a P2 Windows 98 machine with 300MHZ and 64MB SDRAM. My family still uses the P2, but I'm now using a P4, with WinME (It's actually not that bad, I haven't seen alot of blue screens, maybe I'm just lucky), 1.7Ghz, yes GigaHertz, and 256MB RDRAM.

[Joeiss]

Yeah... I am trying to get my dad to purchase this computer for my family :
VISION 1700L

Intel® Pentium® 4 processor 1.7 GHz

• Genuine Intel® Motherboard
• 256MB Memory
• 40GB Ultra ATA-100 7200 RPM Hard Drive
• 1.44MB Floppy Drive
• 24x10x40 CDRW Drive
• 16xDVD Drive
• ATI RADEON™ 64MB Video Card/TV-OUT
• Microsoft Internet Keyboard (original)
• Microsoft Intelli Mouse (original)
• MDG Deluxe Mid Tower with 320W P/S
• SoundMax 3D Sound Effects
• Altec Lansing AV300 Speakers, Subwoofer
• Perfectly Flat 17" .20hpi Samsung Monitor
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Software Bundle
• Free @HOME Cable Internet Offer
• Free DIGITAL Camera
[ While Quantities Last ]

$1697
Six monthly payments: $282.83


But... I doubt it will ever happen any time soon. :(

[GameMaster]

Man, that computer looks sweet! :D

[Revival]

Here's my computer now:

2MB Memory
0GB Hard Drive
1CM Floppy
0x0x0x CDRW
Cardboard box monitor
Stuff with holes in it for speakers
and to top it all off.. a computer desk made out of toothpicks..

[GameMaster]

Gee, that's a pretty crummy computer. :D ;)

[Revival]

Originally posted by Gamemaster2002
Gee, that's a pretty crummy computer. :D ;)
Yuuuuup :D

[Cyrax9]

That looks excellent Joeiss:) The only thing I'd really do, if you're able too, is to change the video gard to an Nivida GeForce4, which is much better than the ATI cards.

[Joeiss]

Originally posted by Cyrax9
That looks excellent Joeiss:) The only thing I'd really do, if you're able too, is to change the video gard to an Nivida GeForce4, which is much better than the ATI cards.

I'll see what alternates the place has.

But I don't even know why I am talking about this... My parents will never buy a new computer for the family... Apparently they do not like to go fast on the internet... Not slow like I am going now!

ARGHHHHHHHH.

Oh well.

[thehtownpoption]

Just upgrade the RAM. Like what I was talking about with my parents' machine; their machine is only 200Mhz, and the RAM upgrade helped a lot. But, since we had to get like, PC 66MHz RAM we had to special order it or something. It cost a little bit more than just straight buying RAM, but in the end it made surfing at least 15 times as fast.

[dolphincooldude]

Communication: 3.3 megabits per second

Storage: 405.5 kilobytes per second

1 MB file download: 2.5 seconds

compared to all connection types worldwide yours is fantastic


In case you don't believe me, I have a .jpg attatchment where I hit print scrn with the info.

I have a cable modem (ethernet) and am on a 1.5 ghz computer, 40 gb hd, 256 mb RAM, P4, Windows XP and some other stuff.

[Jason1]

From the looks of things, I have the fastest connection out of everybody so far.

Communications: 4.1 Mb's per second
Storage:495.9 kilos per sec
1 MB file download: 2.1 seconds!

[Revival]

Just took it on my brother's computer -- which is a lot better, and he had:

Communications: 4.5 Mb's per second
Storage: 502.3 kilos per sec
1 MB file download: 1.4 seconds

[Cyrax9]

Originally posted by thehtownpoption
Just upgrade the RAM. Like what I was talking about with my parents' machine; their machine is only 200Mhz, and the RAM upgrade helped a lot. But, since we had to get like, PC 66MHz RAM we had to special order it or something. It cost a little bit more than just straight buying RAM, but in the end it made surfing at least 15 times as fast.

My PC has 256MB RDRAM, and my "Family" Computer has 64MB SDRAM, my dad even wants to upgrade it, and it's very rare when you hear him say that, because he normally dosen't give a rat's rear about upgrades, but he really wants more RAM, OI personally think he wants it for some newer strategy games, because he's beaten AOE2 to death, and even though I gave him "Sudden Strike", he wants more RTS games, that's about all he plays RTS, and MYST-style "Point-and click" adventures.

As for me, I went to best buy today looking for a phone for my room, and wound up looking at Belkin "USB hubs", because my old Gamepad isn't WindowsME Friendly, and I found one that might work as a good replacement, but it's a USB Gamepad, and my two USB ports are in use with the Cable Modem, and my Printer/Scanner/Copier. I'll probably buy the USB Hub, and connect the printer to that, just so I have the highest speed on my modem still.

I'm Curious to try the Bandwidth test again, The first Time I did it, it was amazing, the second time it dropped alot, and I want to do it on Friday after I do my standard clean-up of ScanDisk,DeFrag,VirusScan, and reboot, which takes all day, but makes the machine much faster. Also try the test at dffernt times, you'll get differtn results even with an always on connection,. because if a lot of people are "piped" in to a cable or DSL line, it slows it down, try running the test early in the morning or late at night, and you'll get higher results, this also tells you when to avoid Downloading suff if your neighbors are tying up the line.