Router Speeds

[graham51]

I am puzzled because I have been trying out three different Wi-Fi Modem Routers ranging in price from £40-£130. All tests done on the same Broadband line. Each Router has given a different download speed i.e. £40 = 4.1 Meg DL. £80 = 2.7 Meg DL and £130 = 1.3 Meg DL. The upload speeds are as follows :- £40=0.12 Meg. £80=0.52 Meg. £130=0.21 Meg. The tests carried out within twenty minutes of each other between 3pm and 3:30pm on a weekday.
The "Puzzled" part of my query is why is there this difference in results? What causes it? Note :- I have a static IP address which should rule out some traffic problems. Any thoughts you have would be most welcome. For info it seems that the £80 unit holds the line best and gives the strongest signal.

[Hymie]

I would suspect that the observed speed differences have nothing to do with the routers – but are an artefact of internet traffic speed at the instant each test was conducted.

To get fairer comparison results, you need to conduct each test at least 10 times (this will show the variation in speed that has nothing to do with the router), and then consider comparing the average figures.

[Buenchico]

If you've been using the routers wirelessly, rather than via an Ethernet cable, have you been into the settings to ensure that they've all been using the same frequency? If not, your comparisons might be distorted by interference which is only present on certain channels.

Chris

[ChuckFickens]

"I have a static IP address which should rule out some traffic problems"

Errr, why?

Anyhow, agree with both the above, I'd also suggest if you want to test them then test the internet speed with a wired computer and check the wireless speed to/from a computer wired to the same router.

Also check the ADSL figures for each one and compare the the stats each router gives.

[graham51]

Thank you all. Some good points for me to mull over and try. DL was download.
Yes I have tried each unit wired and received almost the same figures as wireless. Have also tried each one for a full day and used Speedtest.net as the common tester. Results again didn't alter from those quoted very much. To my mind it has to be a Router thing as that is the only variable. Again thanks to you all for your input. Graham51.

[MarkRae]

> used Speedtest.net as the common tester

Total waste of time - these speed "test" sites are worse than useless. The only reliable way of testing the throughput of your equipment is to download enough files simultaneously so that your bandwidth is maxed out.