1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Resolved Toshiba Laptop WIFI Download Speed

Discussion in 'Networking (Hardware & Software)' started by bmartin, 2015/02/10.

  1. 2015/02/10
    bmartin

    bmartin Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2004/02/19
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have three wired Desktop and one Laptop network connected to the router that provides 50 Mbps download speed. All of these devices can get that speed 90% of the time, which is great. However, my wife uses a Toshiba laptop that at best gets 20 Mbps or less using the WIFI connection. When I connect the laptop by wire it get consist download speeds of 50 Mbps. What would normally be restricting the wifi download speed to 20 Mbps on the Toshiba. I have an Acer in the same room that hits the 50 Mbps most of the time. The Toshiba is using a Realtor RT:8187SE wifi pcie card, which i think is capable of handling up to 54 Mbps. Any one have any suggestions.
     
    bmartin,
    #1
  2. 2015/02/10
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/30
    Messages:
    12,314
    Likes Received:
    252
    The adaptors are not all created equally.

    Data transfer rates

    Most of us prefer faster everything for the most efficient work and play possible. Higher data transfer rates mean that data is transferred faster and work done quicker. Currently the three most popular wireless networking standards are as follows:

    802.11a

    802.11a is an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 5GHz.

    802.11b

    802.11b is an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 11Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz.

    802.11g

    802.11g is an IEEE wireless networking standard that specifies a maximum data transfer rate of 54Mbps and an operating frequency of 2.4GHz. And it is backward compatible with 802.11b.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/CategoryIntelligenceArticle.aspx?articleId=224
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2015/02/10
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,072
    Likes Received:
    400
    The Realtek adapter is 80211g, max rate is 54 mb/s on paper. Real world is closer to 20-30 mb/s or even less, due to interference, signal overlap, waves from other devices such as microwave ovens, baby monitors, speakers, etc. Antenna quality is also a major factor. On a laptop, the antenna is behind the screen. And as was said, not all adapters are equal in quality and performance.

    Check the toshiba site and see if newer drivers are available for the adapter.
     
    TonyT,
    #3
  5. 2015/02/10
    bmartin

    bmartin Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2004/02/19
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hey Tony T I get around 20-22 Mbps as a max speed. I believe the card is my problem. I guess the real issue is if I can find a better replacement card for RTL8187SE that can do better. Of course I am not sure if there is one. One thing I know for sure the card in my Acer is Atheros AR5B125 and man is it a go get. It pops at about 50 Mbps almost all the time.
     
    bmartin,
    #4
  6. 2015/02/10
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

    Joined:
    2005/12/25
    Messages:
    4,076
    Likes Received:
    178
    If you want better speed, one option is to attach a USB wifi card & disable the inbuilt RTL wifi card. Its the cheapest solution.
     
    rsinfo,
    #5
  7. 2015/02/11
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,072
    Likes Received:
    400
    That atheros adapter is 80211n, backward compatible with b & g, up to approx 600 mb/s depending upon the channels and number of antennas. Most 80211 adapters in laptops have 3 antennas.

    Bear in mind that 20 mb.s is still extremely fast and will support anything you want to do on your LAN or the Internet. Plenty fast to stream multimedia without buffering.
     
    TonyT,
    #6
  8. 2015/02/11
    bmartin

    bmartin Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2004/02/19
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    rfinfo do you have any recommendations for the USB solution.
     
    bmartin,
    #7
  9. 2015/02/11
    MrBill

    MrBill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

    Joined:
    2006/01/14
    Messages:
    4,328
    Likes Received:
    270
    What kind of problems are you having that you need more speed to the laptop?
     
    MrBill,
    #8
  10. 2015/02/11
    bmartin

    bmartin Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2004/02/19
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Mr Bill It is not so much as a problem. It is simply that this is the only laptop in the room that can't use the max. speed that I pay for, which is 50 Mbps. If there a way to max out on the available speed with another wifi card then that's what I want. I can solve my slower download speed just by running a wire to the laptop from the router, but a laptop is just that and I don't need another desktop. It is nothing more then getting the best speed to the laptop that is possible. The 20 Mbps or less is ok, but 50 Mbps is better. Just a need for speed I guess, lol.
     
    bmartin,
    #9
  11. 2015/02/11
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,072
    Likes Received:
    400
    Any usb wifi dongle that is 80211n will deliver your modem's limit.
     
    TonyT,
    #10
  12. 2015/02/11
    bmartin

    bmartin Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2004/02/19
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Tony that's what I thought, but I purchased a 80211n and I get less download speed with it then I do with Pcie card. Strange.
     
    bmartin,
    #11
  13. 2015/02/11
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,072
    Likes Received:
    400
    How are you measuring your bandwidth rate? Your ISP may provide 50mbps but that is only on their network. Once the packets leave their network the rate changes and vice verse. For example, you can download a file from xyz.com and not get 50 mbps because xyz.com's server is limited to 30 mbps.

    If you use speed test sites they are not always accurate either.

    I just did a test at speedtest.net site on my wired desktop:
    32 ms ping
    108.20 mbps download
    11.82 mbps upload

    At my Cox ISP site on my wired desktop:
    32 ms ping
    68.12 mbps download
    11.81 mbps upload

    Another test from my Cox ISP site in my 80211g laptop:
    32 ms ping
    9.85 mbps download
    6.38 mbps upload
     
    TonyT,
    #12
  14. 2015/02/11
    MrBill

    MrBill SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

    Joined:
    2006/01/14
    Messages:
    4,328
    Likes Received:
    270
    Have you thought that maybe that machine isn't clean of Virus/Malware/Spyware? Just a thought.

    Maybe go to the Malware section on here and run what is asked and let Broni advise what to do.
     
    MrBill,
    #13
  15. 2015/02/12
    bmartin

    bmartin Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2004/02/19
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    I hear you Tony about speed testing. I use speedtest.net site just as a reference point of comparison and not other sites. Here is all I know. I have two wireless laptops, Acer and Toshiba. Both are running win 7 and are similar otherwise relating to CPU speed and memory. Both laptops are in the same room and when wired to router produce the same downland test results using speedtest.net, which is around 50 Mbps. As I mentioned before the acer burns rubber when using it built in wifi card 45Mbps or better most of the time, but the poor Toshiba is lucky to get 20 Mbps. I thought the wifi card in the Toshiba was the weak link, but when I got the usb dong it was worst. So now I am not sure what the deal is. I guess I just accept the wifi speed or wire it up.
     
    bmartin,
    #14
  16. 2015/02/12
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/01/18
    Messages:
    9,072
    Likes Received:
    400
    Follow MrBills suggestion above and start a thread in the malware forum.

     
    TonyT,
    #15
  17. 2015/02/14
    bmartin

    bmartin Well-Known Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2004/02/19
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    Problem solved with a new Genuine Toshiba Qosmio X505 WIFI Wlan Wireless Card RTL8191SE. This card is humming at 49 Mbps. That's what I am talking about. Thanks guys for your suggestions
     
    bmartin,
    #16

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...