Bandwidth Speed Test

[DooDaa 0]

Hi,

I just got cable broadband and was checking my bandwidth speed from two different websites. The results I got was really different. My question is: Does these bandwidth speed test sites use a reasonably standard protocal or are there none?

Example, bandwidthplace.com = 1.8mbps vs dslreports.com = 3.9 mbps d/load speed. Each test was taken twice and within 2-3 minutes of each other.

Any insight to what my **true d/load speed might be?

**I know many variables are involved but shouldn't the results be +/- 20%?

Thanks

[firefly2442 0]

I would think those bandwidth tests depend on where the server is located. For example, if you live in the US and the test server is in Asia, the amount of hops between different servers and through the ISP would probably be greater than if it was in the US. Also, the speed of the server being tested on would make a difference.... someone running a website off of a a broadband connection versus a direct fiber connection is going to be different....

[DooDaa 0]

Thanks,

That makes sense. I guess there is really no other way to "officially" test it. I remember when I had DSL with SBC I could run a speed test to my local CO or something like that. But my local cable service provides no such service.

I guess speed is subjective. I really can't tell if my cable bandwidth is much faster now than when I had DSL at 784-1500 mbps. If I had just woke up this morning and magically had cable, I wouldn't have known the difference.

Thanks again.