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How fast a connection does Live need?

B

Birbo

Member
In the process of moving and my old ISP won't be an option in my new area so I'm doing research now on what I can get. SBC Yahoo seems to have a good bundle deal that includes DSL, satelite TV and phone. The DSL in the package is the slower of 2 speeds they offer. It's:

Downstream Speed: 384 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps
Upstream Speed: 128 to 384 Kbps

OR for an extra $10 a month, I can upgrade my speed to:

Downstream Speed: 1.5 to 3.0 Mbps
Upstream Speed: 384 to 512 Kbps

Will the slower speed be acceptable for Live play or do I need the faster one? Thanks in advance.
 
I have basic DSL, which I think is 256 kbps, and I haven't had any problems or disadvantage on Live yet.
 
Yeah, either is fine. It is nice to have the extra bandwidth though for hosting servers and also for downloading content.

If you can manage the extra 10 bucks, I would go for that.
 
you don't really need a fast connection for games, just a steady reliable one(unless you are hosting and then you need a really fast and reliable connection).
 
256kb upload is what you should be aiming for, anything less and you'll always be the one suffering in larger rooms when nobody can hear you because your upload is too low. I know 2 people on NTL whose upload isn't even 200kbs and they're always first to suffer when rooms fill up.
 
I can't find shit on the Xbox support site. It just says "broadband."

I have 3 down 512 up. No problems with latency.
 
Go with the 512 if you want to host some games. Usually this has its advantages when playing games like Rainbow Six 3, you can boot people if you don't like them. ;)
 
SHOCKIE said:
Your good to go. :)
Click to expand...

Yup, been gaming for awhile at the speed. I was just trying to give a frame of reference.

You could always go with the slower speed and then increase later if you start getting choppy online.
 
Never forget, actual performance is completely dependent on how far you are from their switching station. The farther you are, the shittier your connection. I tried moving over to DSL, and I was lied to - but thankfully I have the know how and resources to test my connection and they weren't delivering even 1/2 of what they promised.
 
I just got cable internet and I'm pretty uneducated in the difference between connecting to Live via cable and connecting to Live via DSL, which is what I used to have when I had Live earlier this year.
 
128 up is a horrid experience. i was getting dropped from games every 5 minutes.

cnet has a bandwidth meter somewhere on thier site (i'm at work and dont have the bookmark offhand)
 
I just wanted to use this thread to take the opportunity to point out how much cable broadband sucks. I had SBC Yahoo for 3 years, and it's leaps and bounds better than cable, it's not even funny. I though that peak house complaint that was often tossed around was heresy and blown out of proportion, but come 7pm my connection takes a shit.

With that said, you should be fine with either packages, but extra bandwidth for a few more $$ a month can only help.
 
Birbo said:
Can you point me to a site that tells you your connection speed?
Click to expand...
Speed test - Pick the closest server to you, or NYC for the most reliable results
Download test - Straight from Optimum Online, it's just a dummy file to test your actual "download" speed. The server is never slow/down, so you always get an accurate number.
 
VictimOfGrief said:
If you have less than 768k down and up, you'll have lag.
Click to expand...

You can be running a T1 connection, but if the host and others have lag, you'll also have lag.
I play CG2:SS on T1 or high bandwidth cable servers and rarely experience lag.....
 
Lil' Dice said:
You can be running a T1 connection, but if the host and others have lag, you'll also have lag.
I play CG2:SS on T1 or high bandwidth cable servers and rarely experience lag.....
Click to expand...
Depends on the game actually. for the most part though it's best to have fastest as possible since basically you're having to travel across 2 networks; Your ISP and Microsoft's game network.
 
Lil' Dice said:
I just wanted to use this thread to take the opportunity to point out how much cable broadband sucks. I had SBC Yahoo for 3 years, and it's leaps and bounds better than cable, it's not even funny. I though that peak house complaint that was often tossed around was heresy and blown out of proportion, but come 7pm my connection takes a shit.

With that said, you should be fine with either packages, but extra bandwidth for a few more $$ a month can only help.
Click to expand...

Your cable service is completely dependent on the underlying structure it is running on. My cable has been perfect for years and I get 7 Mbit down and something over 400 kbps up.

Your cable connection probably had physical issues between you and your provider.

DSL is not without problems for some people.
 
Nintendo X said:
I DO not recommend SBC Yahoo...I DO NOT recommend it. I advise against it.

SBC Yahoo sucks.
Click to expand...

Especially if the modem is split through your phone line...CURSE YOU PHONE!!
Dsl will lagif your playing someone on the East coast and your on the west. You cant host a game of a decent amount of people either.
I miss high speed cable =(
SBC is fine if your a casual online gamer. But if your hardcore and want to be competitive with no slight lag, Cables the way.
 
Wish FiOS was in my area. 15Mbps/2Mbps for around $50. Sadly that seems like it will never happen as they won't be expanding outside of their phone network area.
 
iceDragon7 said:
Especially if the modem is split through your phone line...CURSE YOU PHONE!!
Dsl will lagif your playing someone on the East coast and your on the west. You cant host a game of a decent amount of people either.
I miss high speed cable =(
SBC is fine if your a casual online gamer. But if your hardcore and want to be competitive with no slight lag, Cables the way.
Click to expand...
I don't know about you, but my 3.0d/768u DSL gives me no problems, and I host often.
 
128 is plenty in ideal world. In real world., your fridge, cordless phone, pron torrent and cat are all fucking with the signal.
 
iceDragon7 said:
Dsl will lagif your playing someone on the East coast and your on the west. You cant host a game of a decent amount of people either.
Click to expand...

Um, no.........

Anyway, I'm about 300 yards from the DSLAM and I get a constant 3.02m down and 864k up. I've checked it several times on my Sunrise ADSL Test Set, so I know for a fact what I get. It always helps to be in the telecom industry. :)

FWIW, Bellsouth is really working on upping their DSL speeds. My father-in-law is pretty high up in the chain at the comapany and he's heard they'll be able to get 24mb in a year or so. Of course, when you've got cable speeds about to eclipse 100mb, that pails in comparison........
 
:o

I did the Speakeasy Speed Test and I have

6Mb Download

340Kb Upload

:o

I love you Comcast. Now make my neighbors stop stealing cable.
 
Has there been any indication that next gen devs will improve the net code for their new games? I'm hoping I don't to put up with cars warping back and forth in PGR3 and RR6. This is Namco's first attempt at an online game....kinda concerned.
 
isamu said:
Has there been any indication that next gen devs will improve the net code for their new games? I'm hoping I don't to put up with cars warping back and forth in PGR3 and RR6. This is Namco's first attempt at an online game....kinda concerned.
Click to expand...

Current gen --> next gen isn't going to magically yield better netcode, since bad netcode wasn't a result of processing bottlenecks. The easiest way to ensure a good user experience, though, is a broadband-only service like XBL. HPBs drag things down for everyone, and require special attention from a netcode perspective.
 
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