Internet Connction Speed

[Buck]

Found this speed test while stumbling online.

Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

I'm really ignorant when it comes to computer stuff, so I'd appreciate an evaluation by some of you more knowledgeable folks.

Thanks.

 

[qmax]

Download at 12.6 mbs, upload at 2.0 mbs.

mps = millions bits per second.

Comcast broadband is fast.

 

[college_cook]

I use that test all the time. It's very very good, and pretty accurate as far as I've been able to tell.

 

[keltin]

That test has a very nice interface, but is graphic heavy meaning your PC will be doing some work to load and run those graphics….and that is CPU time that could be used to process packets and get a better reading. I prefer the Speakeasy Speed Test. It’s really accurate.

Telephone Modems = 56kbps (kilo bits per second)
ISDN = 64 kbps or 128 kbps if bonded
HDSL = 256 kbps, 512kbps, or premium of 1.5Mbps (1.5 mega bits per second)
Cable Broadband = 4 Mbps, 8 Mbps, and up to 10 or 16 Mbps depending on the package and provider.

But with cable, you must realize it is a shared pipe unlike the others. This means that there is one large data trunk that services an area that has a dedicated max bandwidth. The more people active and using that trunk, the less bandwidth you get. On a good day with no one else online, you can theoretically get it all (or at least as much as you’ve paid for according to your modem settings). On a heavy day, the provider has what is called “acceptable usage” or acceptable bandwidth which means that if 30 or more people get on the same pipe, and you divide it up, you are all allotted a set minimum bandwidth…..and even that low end is faster than DSL.

Cables about the fastest thing out there unless you start dipping into corporate solutions like fiber that accommodate T3, T4, Sonet of OC3, OC4, etc.

 

[Fisher's Mom]

But with cable, you must realize it is a shared pipe unlike the others. This means that there is one large data trunk that services an area that has a dedicated max bandwidth. The more people active and using that trunk, the less bandwidth you get. On a good day with no one else online, you can theoretically get it all (or at least as much as you’ve paid for according to your modem settings).

Also, if you're sharing bandwidth with 2 teens that have a penchant for bit torrent, your speed goes way down!