Speed varies across devices due to differences in hardware and software.
Speed varies across devices due to differences in hardware and software.
I recently relocated and had to purchase a Wi-Fi card for my PC since running an Ethernet cable isn’t possible. My download speeds are around 100 Mbps, but when testing via phone or tablet, they often exceed that number significantly. On Steam and Origin, games download at about 10 Mbps. It’s confusing which speed is accurate for my connection. What might be affecting the results?
The chipset present on the card is not specified in the provided information.
The distinction between MB/s and mbps is significant. One megabyte equals eight megabits. "mbs" isn't a standard abbreviation, which adds to the confusion. Steam displays download speeds in MB/s, so 10MB/s equates to roughly 80mbps—the metric your ISP typically uses. This is typical. The same applies to other test sites unless they use Google’s built-in or Speedtest.net tests. Ultimately, the most reliable indicator is your actual performance in real-world conditions; if Steam shows 10MB/s and you’re paying for 100mbps, it’s perfectly acceptable.
Many internet service providers will notice when you run a speed test and adjust your connection settings to make it seem faster than it really is. Regarding the slow download speeds under Steam...I've observed where performance drops and improves as more of the game loads. Past that, fixing Wi-Fi speeds can be tricky, and comparing it directly with phones or tablets isn't straightforward.
Sorry about the confusion with the terms. I don’t have much experience with internet speeds or jargon. The built-in Google test displays 10mbps on my PC but 100mbps on my phone or tablet even when they’re close together. Speedtest.net shows 100mbps for both devices. I’m just trying to understand the difference between them. Thanks for clarifying the Steam and Origin downloads.