[SpeedyHTPC]

I'm currently a DSL user and have been for the last 9 years. Recently I took steps to get my home wired for cable modem because of the "fabulous" 12Mbps download speed.


Tests from various sites show that yes, cable modem seems to blaze through and shoot right through the gauges of various speed test sites. However every site that also tests for QoS or quality of service, rates cable modem as dismal compared to DSL.


For example, DSL for me is rated at 3Mbps download. I consistently get about 2.5Mbps but get a slow but again constant 384Kbps upload. The QoS is at 98%.


On cable, I get a blazing 21000kbps (~20Mbps) download however the QoS is at a range of 34% to 80%. They point the problem at Comcast's routers losing a ton of packets.


While browsing sites, I cannot tell what is faster, however downloading files is much better with DSL.


I'm not sure how did cable get such a great reputation while its ripping people off on the backend. What is your take on your broadband connection?


I think I may stick with DSL as it provides a more consistent throughput. Right now, the same site downloads 320Kbps/sec with DSL and 180Kbps/sec with cable. Wow, cable sucks. But then, when browsing, cable seem snappier.

 

[KIAKorea]

I'm a long time lurker and new here

but, i'm also wondering about the same question..

But, from what i hear is speed test results may vary and depending where the actually server is located on either side may give different results.. i personally never tried a QOS test on our DSL line but, intrested..

 

[467456878]

Since you posted this in the gaming section, I'm assuming you would mainly be concerned with gaming performance. In that aspect, you are looking for the lowest latency, not total bandwidth. Response time is what you want. 50ms ping or less is preferable.


As far as the same site with differing speeds, how are you comparing between the two? Is it the same time of day simultaneously? Without testing both at the same time connected to the same IP address, it is not an accurate test.

 

[Sunkist]



Quote:
Originally Posted by KIAKorea /forum/post/12986573


I'm a long time lurker and new here

but, i'm also wondering about the same question..

But, from what i hear is speed test results may vary and depending where the actually server is located on either side may give different results.. i personally never tried a QOS test on our DSL line but, intrested..

Yes when I do the speed tests I get widely different speeds depending on the server I choose for Cox Cable but when I do downloads I usually am able to get speeds over 12-15MBps and I upload at +500kbps. I don't have any problems gaming but I have only recently been playing online with Halo 3 and COD4. I know in our area Comcast has very poor service so who offers what service may be a deciding factor.

 

[urbansniper]

i know there are multiple factors...but i have had better luck with cable so far.

 

[SpeedyHTPC]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ShagnWagn /forum/post/12988895


Since you posted this in the gaming section, I'm assuming you would mainly be concerned with gaming performance. In that aspect, you are looking for the lowest latency, not total bandwidth. Response time is what you want. 50ms ping or less is preferable.


As far as the same site with differing speeds, how are you comparing between the two? Is it the same time of day simultaneously? Without testing both at the same time connected to the same IP address, it is not an accurate test.

Yes its mainly because of downloading demos and things, I'm kinda tired of the DSL speed and AT&T will not upgrade my area anytime soon.


Comcast is my cable provider and they have one of the poorest service I have ever encountered a large company.


I currently have simultaneous access to DSL and cable at the same time for eval. I have one machine directly on DSL and another directly on cable. The test sites are http://myspeed.visualware.com/ and speedtest.net. They are tested at the same time as I can click both mice at the same time.


I just calculated that even at 30% if the throughput is about 16000mbps/sec I'm still getting about 4.8Mbps which is still better than 2.5Mbps on DSL. But as far as I know, packet loss really kills response time.


I'm not sure if Comcast has some kind of trace blocker or what but if you look at the QoS results from http://myspeed.visualware.com/ , Comcast has a high rate of packet loss at the busiest feed.

 

[SpeedyHTPC]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunkist /forum/post/12989518


Yes when I do the speed tests I get widely different speeds depending on the server I choose for Cox Cable but when I do downloads I usually am able to get speeds over 12-15MBps and I upload at +500kbps. I don't have any problems gaming but I have only recently been playing online with Halo 3 and COD4. I know in our area Comcast has very poor service so who offers what service may be a deciding factor.

I'd be very happy to get 12-15Mbps/sec. But my upload has been consistently 1.5Mbps on cable.


Comcast has poor service everywhere. I dont know how this company keeps going without some large lawsuit.

 

[SpeedyHTPC]

FYI, the "myspeedtest.com" site should be http://myspeed.visualware.com/


I always click on san jose california for both DSL and cable.


I just tested my work's net connection. Looks just like cable but gets 20Mbps..hmm..

 

[KoRn]

Cable. When everyone is on it slows down. DSL does not have the problem. But with dsl the farther you live from your CO. The slower it will be. I have always been a cable user myself. Im on a 5/512 plan and get advertised speeds 95% of the time.

 

[SpeedyHTPC]

Its great for now. I've switched it over to try cable.

 

[KoRn]

Awesome. I envy your speeds! The highest Charter offers in our area is 10mb.

 

[SpeedyHTPC]

I think now that they up'ed the speed to compensate for errors. Theres no way that I am getting 22Mbits/sec.

 

[Morkeleb]



Quote:
Originally Posted by SpeedyHTPC /forum/post/12991750


Comcast has poor service everywhere. I dont know how this company keeps going without some large lawsuit.

This is sad news to me as Comcast bought out our local cable company Insight at the start of the year.

 

[msajeff]

Any updated opinions/comparisons? I was talked into trying DSL at the AT&T store on Saturday. I've been a longtime cable customer but it just made sense to combine DSL with our cell bill since we have a seperate bill for DirecTV.


My trusty torrent client is showing max speeds of 1.2mb down and 120kb up on cable. Will be interested to see the DSL speeds. At the very least I hope it speeds up downloads on the PSN.