VPN/Internet question

[Bonafidus]

Could someone explain this to me:
- I used to have PIA and now switched to Proton VPN
- I use a program for work that needs high speed internet. Without VPN my internet upload speed is around 300 Mbps (checked with multiple online sites)
-With PIA my speed was dropping to about 60 mbps and that was one of the reasons I switched to proton. But speed of the program I was using was still ok.
-With Proton, specific server UPD protocol, my internet speed was showing as about 200 Mbps (significantly higher compared to PIA) but the program I am using is significantly slower compared to when i used it while on PIA. How this is possible that my internet speed is good but program runs slower?

And second question: I am paying for a Gigabyte speed with my ISP, but my max speed is 300 Mbps when I check online- if I switch to 500 MB plan with my ISP do I further loose speed, or still likely to get that 300 Mbps?

Thanks

 

[The Options Menu]

It may be a question of latency (ping time) vs speed. Your program may require lots of small chunks of data to function, as opposed to a large stream of data. If that's the case low latency is more important than speed.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Could someone explain this to me:
- I used to have PIA and now switched to Proton VPN
- I use a program for work that needs high speed internet. Without VPN my internet upload speed is around 300 Mbps (checked with multiple online sites)
-With PIA my speed was dropping to about 60 mbps and that was one of the reasons I switched to proton. But speed of the program I was using was still ok.
-With Proton, specific server UPD protocol, my internet speed was showing as about 200 Mbps (significantly higher compared to PIA) but the program I am using is significantly slower compared to when i used it while on PIA. How this is possible that my internet speed is good but program runs slower?

And second question: I am paying for a Gigabyte speed with my ISP, but my max speed is 300 Mbps when I check online- if I switch to 500 MB plan with my ISP do I further loose speed, or still likely to get that 300 Mbps?

Thanks

Which Windows operating system are you on?? Windows 7 or Windows 10/11??

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

If you're with Rogers/Bell because that's the only option you have based on where you're located I feel bad for ya. Lots of other ISP out there with better rates and speeds that are close to what you pay for. I haven't used Rogers since about 2010 or prior.

I have a Rogers 1GB pipe and I'm getting very close to it

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

So I have a backup computer thats still on Windows 7.
My regular computer has Windows 10.
I get 900 mbps down speeds on my regular PC (as it should be).
But whenever I switch to my backup PC that still has window 7 that speed drops down to 300 mbps for some reason.
Must have something to do with Windows 7 cause I dont know what else it could be

 

[xmontrealer]

I wonder if your wi-fi adapter or hard-wired ethernet adapter has anything to do with it, especially on older PC's.

I only get 100 mbs on my hard-wired 10 year old Asus Windows 10 portable, but 654 mbs on my Samsung S23 phone. I'm with Rogers with a theoretic 1 gig connection.

 

[Bonafidus]

It may be a question of latency (ping time) vs speed. Your program may require lots of small chunks of data to function, as opposed to a large stream of data. If that's the case low latency is more important than speed.

That is probably true; I think this program requires lots of small chunks of data. But isn't ping time also directly related to speed?

 

[Bonafidus]

You're paying for a GB and at most you get is 300 Mbps? Why pay more and not get close to what you're paying for.

Well, to be honest, I have only recently started to pay attention to this and look at my speed. The speed I get from the router to the server is >900 Mbps, but from my devices to the router is around 300. My router is in the garage (for some technical reasons couldn't be installed inside) and then an extender also in the garage. I've been told that's the reason the speed drops.

 

[Bonafidus]

So I have a backup computer thats still on Windows 7.
My regular computer has Windows 10.
I get 900 mbps down speeds on my regular PC (as it should be).
But whenever I switch to my backup PC that still has window 7 that speed drops down to 300 mbps for some reason.
Must have something to do with Windows 7 cause I dont know what else it could be

I am running windows 11, and my laptop is only 2 years old with good specs. As I said in post #12 seems it has to do with the location of my router, I guess???

Thank you all for your replies. I'll give them a call again.

 

[Bonafidus]

I wonder if your wi-fi adapter or hard-wired ethernet adapter has anything to do with it, especially on older PC's.

I only get 100 mbs on my hard-wired 10 year old Asus Windows 10 portable, but 654 mbs on my Samsung S23 phone. I'm with Rogers with a theoretic 1 gig connection.

Yeah, seems my numbers are way off- I'll call them. Thank you.

 

[Bonafidus]

But other than that pinging issue, anything else that may explain why that program is running slower on a higher speed VPN than a slower VPN?... again I'm also not understanding what is the relation (or lack of) between speed and ping time.

 

[xmontrealer]

Well, to be honest, I have only recently started to pay attention to this and look at my speed. The speed I get from the router to the server is >900 Mbps, but from my devices to the router is around 300. My router is in the garage (for some technical reasons couldn't be installed inside) and then an extender also in the garage. I've been told that's the reason the speed drops.

As far as I know the extender should be halfway between your router and your computer.

Also the extender probably cuts your speed in half as it has to receive and then resend each byte.

 

[Bonafidus]

As far as I know the extender should be halfway between your router and your computer.

Also the extender probably cuts your speed in half as it has to receive and then resend each byte.

Makes sense. thanks

 

[Ponderling]

Old service for us was in the basement, and wifi coverage with all the heat ducting and cold air return ducting really messed up RF propagation.

But when we had a POTS wire based indy ISP, wet outside plant drop wiring lines to the OPI down the street was the biggest impedement.
Wet lines, higher capacitance, roll off of high freqeuncy hi speed inet signals

Indy ISP would blame Bell
Bell would not care lines were wet, as their POTS service worked fine.

We switched to Rogers so only one company with the outside plant, supplied wifi box and central servers.
No other fingers to point to if there was a connectivity problem.

I moved the box to the top shelf of the kitchen pantry, central to the first floor.
Ran a longer RG-6 coax cable and AC extension up from where they used to be to link up to to hook it up again.
AC ties to the old UPS downstairs, so no reason to pay for the premium no power fail Rogers option.

Now good wifi to second floor, and even to the hot tub ouside 80' away in the back corner of the back yard.

 

[Bonafidus]

Is it the ISP router or modem that's in the garage? That could possibly be causing a drop in the speed since the waves aren't moving to certain spots or things around the place is blocking some of the waves.

Yes, is their router and modem. I think you're right- probably part of the issue

As for your program was it always running slow? Maybe you need to do a virus/malware scan. What other programs are running at the same time? Might also need to upgrade the RAM or add another RAM stick.

No, other programs are running fine- and this work program even with the previous VPN (PIA) was running at an acceptable speed- it's all after I started using proton VPN. I have 32 MB RAM which I think is more than decent.

I find it a bit odd whatever device is in your garage they couldn't put it inside your place due to a technical reason. I think perhaps the tech guy was being lazy or something or I could be wrong.

Most likely you're right

 

[Bonafidus]

Can you not move both of them from the garage else where in your house and run a longer wire more so for the modem? The router doesn't need to be there either unless it's some modem/router combo. Find out what cable it is and call up a computer shop to see if they have it and what length. Or if you're not that familiar or want to do the work yourself you could call them up and tell customer service you want a tech to come and move the devices because you're paying for 1GB and all you get is 300MB. Tell them not to send the same guy. And try asking nicely and see what customer service say if they try and say no then ask for a manager and be a bit firm. If you have to come up with a white lie and say it's affecting your job because your company requires a higher speed and you're scared you might lose your job. When the tech guy shows up you can mention it nicely to him about the job issue and fear of losing it. Some folks generally are sympathetic. You're paying for a service way more than what I pay for 60MB and they should show up and move the box. That's what they get paid to do too.

Yes, will call them- thanks

 

[oakvilleguy]

Well, to be honest, I have only recently started to pay attention to this and look at my speed. The speed I get from the router to the server is >900 Mbps, but from my devices to the router is around 300. My router is in the garage (for some technical reasons couldn't be installed inside) and then an extender also in the garage. I've been told that's the reason the speed drops.

If you’re not hard wired, then you will never get the speed advertised by your ISP. Over wireless, you are introducing a bunch of other factors such as location of your router, distance to your router, whether there are walls, the type of router, whether you have an extender on and the type of receiver on your computer / laptop.