General Computer DiscussionYou should use this section to discuss software topics including Windows, Linux and various software applications, together with hardware related topics including buying a new machine, graphics cards, keyboards, etc.
I bought a new router a few days ago, because my old one was limited to 10mbps downloads, which kind of made having a 20mb line a bit futile, so it arrived this morning and all I can say is... WOW... Can't believe i've been sat on an old router and crap net speeds for the last year, thinking it was my ISPs problem, when all it was down to was a £20 bit of kit.
So, a word to the warning, before automatically go blaming your ISP, make sure your equipment can actually handle the technology. The lovely thing now for me in the meantime, is that Virgin are rolling out their 50meg line soon and my new equipment can most definately handle that too.
Anyway, I did the normal test using speedtest.net and as you can see it's a sligh improvement on the average 7000kb/s I was getting:
Do the test and post your results here using the code they provide, lets see what kind of average we are getting here on TF and to see who has the fastest line.
In case anyone is wondering which one I bought, I haven't gone for a posh one or a stupidly expensive one or anything like that, i've gone for the shops own brand Novatech one from Novatech, it blows the linksys and cisco ones i've had in the past away, built in firewall, simple plug and play, it's about 50 steps forward technology wise from my last one.
BT seem to be falling behind, although theyre releasing a big change this/next year, although it will probably still be behind virgin. On the plus side, theyre fairly unrestricted, except for a limit on random non http traffic (ie. torrent, gaming etc) at peak times.
Upload speeds are ******edly low now, especially if you want to upload something like a video to youtube, they want it uploaded in the most uncompressed HD format and it takes like an hour to send.
What do you guys use your bandwidth for (without specifics on anything illegal )? Our broadband low latency is good for fast loading, fast gaming but i just wonder what people do with their bandwidth. They say a very low percent of people use the majority of the isps bandwidth, because most people dont use very much.
Personally i web browse, watch the odd thing on youtube and play online games, usually with a very low amount of data transfer. The only thing that takes up bandwidth is torrent downloads and they rarely max out at 700-800k/sec. A certain very high profile torrent website thats currently on trial claims to be responsible for 30% of europes internet traffic! I always wanted faster and faster speeds, but i dont really see any need for it past 2mbit lines say.
When we first moved into this house we checked virgin and they said we can get their cable package, the day before the person was meant to come we get a letter saying sorry we can't have it , everyone in my area can have it but from me and my neighbor
BT phone number XXXXXXXXXXX
We've estimated that your maximum download speed is 2.5 meg .This is based on information BT gave us about your BT line.
Kinda weird that i get 6.5 - 8mbit through BT and the 24mbit provider can offer me 2.5mbit? =/
BT Wholesales checker says...
Quote:
Your exchange is ADSL enabled, and our initial test on your line indicates that your line should be able to have an ADSL broadband service that provides a fixed line rate up to 2Mbps.
Our test also indicates that your line currently supports a potential ADSL Max broadband line rate of 6.5Mbps or greater.
Our test also indicates that your line currently supports a potential ADSL2+ broadband line rate of 9Mbps or greater.
Simply to rule out the possibility, plugging the router into the phone socket on a short cable and trying alternate microfilter (most times you get at least 2), then check the connection speed youre connected (we dont even know that atm) or the throughput on speedtest.net or similar.
Also try BT's own speedtest, it gives different results. Check a site like Sam Knows to see what speed BT wholesale think you should be getting etc.
Chances are it wont make that much difference, but its worth a try if you ever notice your speed is slow or restrictive of what you do online. I get the same speed plugged directly into the master socket as i do using a 5 metre extension cable, a 7 year old adsl filter and a crappy router. Most people seem to have problems with the wiring in or into their house that give them slower speeds.
Internet Speed Test
)? Our broadband low latency is good for fast loading, fast gaming but i just wonder what people do with their bandwidth. They say a very low percent of people use the majority of the isps bandwidth, because most people dont use very much.
Really wish I had 20 meg.
, everyone in my area can have it but from me and my neighbor 
Linear Mode
