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    Different network speeds on same wireless connection

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by sbarg, Jul 24, 2011.

  1. sbarg

    sbarg Newbie

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    Hi all, first post :D

    So I have had this Asus M51Sn for about 4 years and decided to make a move to a new laptop.
    I choose the Dell XPS 17 (L1702X) (64 bit) which from my point of view, is meant to be pretty good (got it last week).

    However I am not so satisfied with the new computer, maybe I was just expecting too much from it? Either way one thing I have noticed for sure is that the internet is a lot slower on the newer computer than the old one.

    To test this, I have both my computers on my table, connected wireless to the router (placed under the table). Both computers show full bars in the connection strength.

    So I try access different websites, run different online speed tests, look at the average speed of torrent connections. To make it a valid test, I keep most of the background processes off (neither computer has antivirus turned on), access the same websites, download the same torrents, and run the same online speed tests (at the same time).

    Around 80-90% of the time I find that the old computer's connection speed is several times faster than the new. Does this mean there is something wrong with my new computer? I tried contacting Dell, took ages to explain them how I have tested things out, they told me to contact telstra (my service provider in Sydney, Australia) who got me to toggle the wireless channels a bit but it didnt help.
    What should my next step be? Am I comparing the two computers properly (I do find that 10-20% of the time, the new computer wins)? If not, what other tests can I run which will truly help me determine whats happening here.

    Please let me know if there is any other hardware/software information I can provide that maybe relevant in understanding what's happening here.

    p.s. both computers dual boot with Linux (Ubuntu) but all tests were done on Windows 7
     
    sbarg, Jul 24, 2011
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  2. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    Do you run both test simultaneously? That's not a good idea. Run it on one and then on the other one.
    What wireless card and wireless router do you use. What are the connection settings (g/g or n) what wireless security settings etc.?
     
    downloads, Jul 24, 2011
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