I've been experiencing an issue where my download speeds seem much lower than what I would expect from my internet plan. We pay for a 100 Mbps service, and during speed tests, I usually get around 117 Mbps for downloads. However, when I'm actually downloading something on my PC, like from Steam or other websites, I'm only seeing about 14 MB/s (which I later realized is correct given that there are 8 bits in a byte). That's a big part of my confusion! Moreover, when Steam is downloading, it significantly reduces the internet performance of other applications on my PC, even though my phone on the same Wi-Fi isn't affected. I've also tried both wired and wireless connections and saw the same results. Is this behavior typical? Is there a solution to make my downloads less disruptive to other devices or apps? Any insights would be appreciated!
3 Answers
When it comes to Steam or any other service, it’s common to see a reduction in bandwidth usage for other applications. It's not unusual, as every service on your network competes for the available bandwidth. Just make sure to set bandwidth limits for Steam to prevent it from hogging all the internet while you’re downloading.
Just to add, not every website or service will provide the full 100 Mbps, mainly because the internet isn't a constant flow. Stability can vary based on network conditions, and online speed tests aren't always the most reliable indicators.
It sounds like you've figured out the main issue already! The difference between Megabits (Mbps) and Megabytes (MB/s) is crucial—since there are 8 bits in a byte, your download speeds align perfectly with your internet speed. Don’t worry, you’re getting what you pay for!
Thanks for the reassurance! I definitely understand that part better now.
I see where you're coming from! My main concern was really just about Steam choking the bandwidth.