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General discussion

Is 2MB worth it??

Nov 16, 2007 8:21PM PST

I currently have a Virgin 1MB connection, i play alot of online gaming and have really bad lag (especially when someone else is using the internet on my comp), the lag is even on my PS3 when i play online and its starting to drive me mad.

As ive said i currently have 1MB broadband and was wondering whether it was worth upgrading to 2MB or 4MB. I dont download anything on the net so that isnt an issue, it will simply be for online gaming so i dont need super speeds, simply enough to keep my ping nice when im playing online, and while someone else is using the internet at the same time.

What i was wondering is whether 2MB will be enough for this. I dont want to be paying the extra for 4MB if it is going to be wasted, but i dont want to be paying for 2MB if it isnt going to be enough.

Thanks for any help

Discussion is locked

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Only you can decide.
Nov 16, 2007 8:49PM PST

1MB is quite slow for broadband nowadays, and although ISP's are coming under fire for offering high download speeds when in reality users rarely get the stated speed, there is no doubt that the faster speed you can get/afford, the smoother, faster and less annoying internet use in general becomes.

I can't say for certain that you will see a lot of difference between 1MB and 2MB, but you will see a difference between 1MB and 4MB. However there are always factors;

1] Motorway usage. If a motorway is empty, then you can drive as fast as you like, (up to the speed limit of course). If the motorway is busy, then your average speed drops dramatically. The same is true for broadband internet. If the connection you are using is also being used by many more in your district, then your broadband speed will suffer.

2] Other people using your computer. If you are sharing a broadband connection with others then they will see an increase from 1MB to 2 or 4MB as well. Depending what they are doing, eg downloading large files, you may see little advantage to the increased connection speed.

So, you have to weigh this up. We can't do that for you.

Mark

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4MB
Nov 16, 2007 10:32PM PST
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Yep
Nov 17, 2007 3:51AM PST

It doesn't look so good in a table does it.

This is mine;
http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest/results/id/119532874085700110273.html

I am with Virgin Media broadband in the UK paying for 'up to' 8MBs but as you can see I am well down as well. However I don't download much in the way of heavy files, although I do watch some streaming video etc sometimes, as in the BBC's web site, but I don't have too much of a problem.

Good luck with your choice.

Mark

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if your downloading
Dec 12, 2007 8:52PM PST

if u wont use ur internet to download i would recommend the 4mb internet as if would be fast download speeds than the 2mb.

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Check availability
Dec 12, 2007 8:59PM PST

I would recommend you upgrade to a 2MB but I would always check you can get that at your address. Some company?s tell you to go for the higher MB packages as it is more expensive but you never actually get the higher MB speed. It all depends on where you live from the main exchange and how many people in you area are on the main exchange to what speed you receive.