Internet latency help for a newb please

[AthomSmasher]

Hi all.

Being a complete newbie to the more technical PC stuff, and seeing as I am considering a new
PC build, I want to ask some advice on internet latency/ping issues.

I am now aware that some of the latency issues are down to traffic, my ISP service etc,
but I am wondering if my PC could have an impact on these things? So, what (hardware wise), on my
PC do I need to keep in mind to reduce any adverse latency issues please?

Sorry if it's a silly question, but I really want to get this right.

Regards

[1pnoe]

What kind of link does your computer have to the internet i.e. WiFi or wired?

[AthomSmasher]

Hi 1pnoe

I am using the Virgin Media Super Hub at the mo, so I can use WiFi and wired; is that Ethernet connection? As I like to game on-line, I would prefer to use wired Ethernet as I am aware I would be getting a more reliable connection.

Hope that answers your query.

[KeyboardDemon]

It sounds like you have already covered all of your key areas by using a wired (ethernet) connection and a high speed Virgin Media Cable connection, both of these contribute to reducing latency.

You can check your line by running some tests to see if there are areas in which you might want to consider improvements, first you can use Speedtest to check your connection is running at the correct speed and you can check the quality of your connection with Pingtest.

[Phage]

Also worth noting that those specialist network cards are not worth it in your build. I've not seen any evidence that they make a material difference compared to the issues you've already covered.

[KeyboardDemon]

Also worth noting that those specialist network cards are not worth it in your build. I've not seen any evidence that they make a material difference compared to the issues you've already covered.

Essentially what we are saying is that your internet speed and latency are mostly determined by outside factors. Factors such as copper wire/fibre optic cables, distance from the exchange, the number of people on-line at the same time as you and the upload speed of the website or web service you are connecting to will not see any massive improvements through upgrading components in the PC itself.

I would simply build the best rig I can afford at the time and before buying the components just check to see it would adequately meet the needs of the software/games I want to run. Have you selected what hardware you want to use? What will you use it for? (ie what software/games) How much are you looking to spend? When are you planning on building it?

[Phage]

^^What he said.

[AthomSmasher]

Thanks for all the reply's guys, it's much appreciated

@ KeyboardDemon. Thank you for those links they have proved really useful already. My VM service is up to 30Mbps and I am getting 15.8Mbps. Ping is at 50ms, so that's okay.

Okay, so if my latency or ping is bad I can pretty much moan at Virgin Media

I am just now collecting info on the various components for my PC build. probably spend up to £2000'ish. My current on-line gaming passion is World of Tanks, but I like some others too Wouldn't mind playing BF3 but can't even get a good frame rate watching the video trailer on this PC

I have changed cards and stuff on my current Pentium4 coal powered PC, so I can plug things in It's just the more technical stuff like setting up the Motherboard and HD Drives etc that I am not very sure about. Then there's the problem of perhaps not knowing a certain piece of hardware is available that makes the job easier or something. So once again thanks everybody, boys and girls.

And never fear, now I've found you lot, I will be back with lot's more questions

[peterb]

Latency will also vary with path length to the server, as well as server response and load. I can do a test to a speedtest server in the UK and get a fairly consistent 14mS. Do the same test to one in the States (for example) and it can double or triple.

UK



Nashville (Tennessee)



Melbourne, Australia



Tests done within about two minutes of each other.

IP is a connectionless protocol, so the latency can vary from packet to packet anyway.

[AthomSmasher]

@peterb

So the moral here is... Don't play on-line games from Australia unless you live there

The test I quoted above was to Frankfurt, Germany, so I guess 15.8Mbps is not so bad considering your results.

That's a really nice UK test btw. Who are ZEN Internet? Are they only available in the Southampton region?

[peterb]

Thank you

www.zen.co.uk

Yes! Or the States if latency is important!

ZEN are nationwide and based in Rochdale. If you live up there they have some LLU exchanges, but I get their FTTC service provisioned by BT. Effectively BT infinity via a different ISP.

[AthomSmasher]

Thanks for the link peterb.

I checked the download speed with their test thingy, and it says I would get 3Mbps, copper wires and distance from exchange I think

Although it also says that the line is enabled for 16Mbps. Would that be because of the BT Infinity you mentioned?

Ohh, and sorry for the profanity in my earlier post. I will be more careful in future

[KeyboardDemon]

Next time you run the test just stick with the recommended server. Your VM connection is fine as it is so it is not really worth changing right now, there are a few companies looking at increasing the speeds they can offer in line with the government's target to the UK covered by a minimum 25Mb/s connection by 2017.

A £2,000 budget will buy you an awesome rig, is that for the PC alone or does it cover everything? (monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers etc...)

Once you have got your post count up to 20 posts you will be entitled to free delivery from Scan for all orders over £20, so you could save some money there, also Scan offer some great pre-built and custom made PCs if you are worried about building a rig yourself, this also means you will get support from Scan which you won't get if you build it yourself.

And never fear, now I've found you lot, I will be back with lot's more questions

Keep 'em coming, we're here for you.

[peterb]

Thanks for the link peterb.

I checked the download speed with their test thingy, and it says I would get 3Mbps, copper wires and distance from exchange I think

Although it also says that the line is enabled for 16Mbps. Would that be because of the BT Infinity you mentioned?

Hmm, not sure, I was getting 2.5Mb/s on ADSL. Might be worth using the BT Infinity checker. FTTC speeds depend on your distance from the cabinet.

Ohh, and sorry for the profanity in my earlier post. I will be more careful in future

No probs

[AthomSmasher]

Next time you run the test just stick with the recommended server. Your VM connection is fine as it is so it is not really worth changing right now, there are a few companies looking at increasing the speeds they can offer in line with the government's target to the UK covered by a minimum 25Mb/s connection by 2017.

Yeah I am waiting for VM to double my speed here at the mo. Should be by July with any luck

A £2,000 budget will buy you an awesome rig, is that for the PC alone or does it cover everything? (monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers etc...)

Yes mate, it's for everything. The only 2 things I think I have decided on are the Motherboard - ASUS Sabretooth Z77 and an i7 Ivybridge CPU. The rest is still on the drawing board.

Once you have got your post count up to 20 posts you will be entitled to free delivery from Scan for all orders over £20, so you could save some money there, also Scan offer some great pre-built and custom made PCs if you are worried about building a rig yourself, this also means you will get support from Scan which you won't get if you build it yourself.

This I found out when I joined here, can't say that it was one of the reasons I was attracted to this site though Seriously, it's a very good deal, as I have ordered things from SCAN in the past. They always seem to have the best deals, and their service has always been great too.

Last point. I am really looking forward to building my own PC. So far I have found it really interesting learning new stuff. I have even got an old Thermaltake case which I have cut holes in and am in the process modding just a little bit. Anyway I seem to be getting off topic now, I'll save the rest for other sections in the forums

[KeyboardDemon]

I have even got an old Thermaltake case which I have cut holes in and am in the process modding just a little bit. Anyway I seem to be getting off topic now, I'll save the rest for other sections in the forums

Start a thread and get some pictures up. I have not done much in the way of modding cases other than removing drive bays to make space for fans or on my current build I removed the bays so that I could hide the rad for my H50. To me it seems ambitious that someone would mod a case for the their first build so I'd love to see how you are doing and what I can learn from it.