Archive

Question re: Internet speeds

  • Scarlet_Buckeye
    Hello Chatter,

    I'm in the market for purchasing a cable & internet bundle for my new apartment. My question is, what level/speeds do I really need for the internet. I realize it depends on what exactly I plan on doing. Well, I plan on doing minor gaming with my PS3, most browsing the web on my iPad or notebook, and occasionally downloading some music.

    So... my question is... what do you recommend for my needs?
    • 1.5 Mbps
    • 3 Mbps
    • 6.0 Mbps
    • 22 Mbps
    • 31 Mbps
    Thanks in advance!
  • thavoice
    First check to see if you can steal if from a neighbor.

    after that...I have no idea.
  • Mooney44Cards
    Shave about 30% off of all those speeds and you'll get some idea of what you'll actually be getting. 22 sounds good, but it probably depends on what sort of games you're playing on PS3. But as far as web browsing, even 3mb/s would be fine.
  • gut
    1.5mbs is SLOW. VERY slow. Most web content take frustratingly long to load (ok, only several extra seconds but if you do a lot of surfing it's irritating).

    Netflix requires 8-9mbps to stream HD video. If you're a gamer, I'd imagine that's what you're looking at but I don't know.

    20+ mbps is mostly overkill. If you're going to have multiple users on your connection (i.e. a family) then that's probably what you need. For a single user, it's paying more for useless bandwidth IMO. I'd also say that, in my experience, most web pages (and many file d/l's, at least from non-torrent sites) only transmit between 3-6mbps.

    I'd give the 6mbps a shot and if it's too slow for gaming you can always upgrade. Also see if there is a cable sales rep serving your home/area. They often have great deals on bundled packages and you might be able to get that 22mbps connection for the same price as the 3 or 6.
  • dlazz
    6Mbps is sufficient for you.

    I have 30Mbps/10Mbps because I'm a boss
  • thavoice
    Basically he really just wants to know what speed does he need to have to stream porn without having it buffer
  • McFly1955
    If you have a hard wired console, you could get away with 3 mbps (I had 2 for awhile). 6mbps should definitely cover you for your needs.

    I would probably go for the 6 if I were you.
  • dlazz
    McFly1955;1170254 wrote:If you have a hard wired console, you could get away with 3 mbps (I had 2 for awhile). 6mbps should definitely cover you for your needs.

    I would probably go for the 6 if I were you.

    Hard wired or not wouldn't make a difference.
  • Commander of Awesome
    Might want to look into a T5 connection. (lol I remember back in the late 90s a friend of mine got a T1 connection and I thought it was the most boss shit ever.).
  • WebFire
    I agree that 6 Mbps will be fine, even for gaming and Netflix.
  • WebFire
    Commander of Awesome;1170256 wrote:Might want to look into a T5 connection. (lol I remember back in the late 90s a friend of mine got a T1 connection and I thought it was the most boss shit ever.).
    It was the boss shit. Still is used a lot for business. A 1.5 Mbps T1 is not the same as a residential 1.5 Mbps cable or DSL.
  • ohiobucks1
    My internet says 65 MPbs but it doesn't seem all that fast... whats the deal?
  • dlazz
    ohiobucks1;1170466 wrote:My internet says 65 MPbs but it doesn't seem all that fast... whats the deal?
    http://speedtest.net
  • ohiobucks1
    My computer lies! Its only at 15.5 not 65!!!
  • dlazz
    65Mbps is a random speed, I'm willing to bet you have no idea what you're talking about.

    What is your provider?
  • ohiobucks1
    dlazz;1170510 wrote:65Mbps is a random speed, I'm willing to bet you have no idea what you're talking about.

    What is your provider?
    Dude I'm looking at my Wireless Network Connection Status right now:


    Speed: 65.0 Mbps

    That website says 15.44Mbps
  • dlazz
    ohiobucks1;1170515 wrote:Dude I'm looking at my Wireless Network Connection Status right now:


    Speed: 65.0 Mbps

    That website says 15.44Mbps
    That is the connection between your computer and the router. It does NOT equal internet speed.

    I'm willing to bet you have a Road Runner Turbo connection, which is 15Mbps/1Mbps
  • justincredible
    I haven't check our connection at home in a while so I have no idea what it is. Just did a speed test at work and we're at 2.42 up/0.68 down. Just awful.
  • dlazz
    Work:


    Home:
  • justincredible
    dlazz;1170553 wrote:Work:


    Home:


    We get a D. Unfortunately it is our only option unless we lock in to a 3 year contract at $260/month with Cincinnati Bell for fiber in order for them to bring it to our area.
  • dlazz
    We have fiber here. It's still got nothing on OSU though. I used to get some hellaciously awesome speeds there.
  • chicago510
    justincredible;1170561 wrote:

    We get a D. Unfortunately it is our only option unless we lock in to a 3 year contract at $260/month with Cincinnati Bell for fiber in order for them to bring it to our area.

    You don't have FiOps by you? I get standard cable and 10mbps for $65.
  • dlazz
    chicago510;1170582 wrote:You don't have FiOps by you? I get standard cable and 10mbps for $65.
    They may have a business line. ISP's love to hose business-class users on speeds/cost ratio.
  • justincredible
    chicago510;1170582 wrote:You don't have FiOps by you? I get standard cable and 10mbps for $65.
    Nope.
  • WebFire
    justincredible;1170561 wrote:

    We get a D. Unfortunately it is our only option unless we lock in to a 3 year contract at $260/month with Cincinnati Bell for fiber in order for them to bring it to our area.
    How many users? Remember, home and business internet is NOT the same thing. 2.42 might not be so bad.