Home LAN Connection to RF (wifi) ISP; Can I Offset High BW Usage From Others

[Chilli]

Well, it may have been the last straw, Momma got a Smart TV for Mother's Day.    Add to that a list of other wifi devices randomly accessing bandwidth, I am wondering if there is anything that I can do to stabilize my connection.  I have great speed and ping, usually around 70 when others are not streaming Netflix or some other download (then below ~300) .

My OS is Windows 8.1   I was wondering if I slowed my computer's connection from 100Mbps to some other suggested speed would that help to secure a consistent connection for AH?  Also, Linksys WRT54GL Router cable connection.

I ask this question, because I recall that back during my dial up days, it was suggested to slow the modem speed for this purpose.

Let me know if there is additional information needed.

[ebfd11]

Chilli one thing i would suggest is to hardwire your computer and TV to the router, then find out how many wifi items are running. It sounds like you nmay be having someone jumping off your wifi in th guset account.

LawnDart

[Chilli]

I am pretty sure that the connection is secure from outside of the house.  The family is just really that busy at times with all the new devices they have acquired.  To give you a hint, my daughter recently won (yes won) a tablet for participating in online surveys and such.  The weirdest thing is that I am the only one who uses the connection for gaming. 

By the way, I was told that Turtle Beach has a gaming headset for PCs.  The specific headset that I was looking for is the D21.  I want to see if I can get a bargain (preferably new) priced headset, and I like the way their gaming sets fit.  Also, I go through my headset chords pretty quickly (can't count the number that are shorting in one ear or the other).

[ebfd11]

Chilli
I still am say you need to hardwire your computer to the router, you will get faster response times and no lag like you are getting.

Also here is a set similar to what i use and I have had zero problems with them over 3 years.

http://www.plantronics.com/us/product/gamecom-788?skuId=sku6750015

These make the PX21 look cheap IMHO http://www.turtlebeach.com/product-detail/ps3-headsets/ear-force-px21/48.


Here is a unique pair that you might be interested in..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826193069

lawnDart

[FLS]

Some routers let you set priority to your game PC. Check yours for this option.

[katanaso]

Some routers let you set priority to your game PC. Check yours for this option.

This.  You can configure QoS on the router and prioritize traffic.

Here's a link from Linksys' site:  http://kb.linksys.com/Linksys/ukp.aspx?pid=80&vw=1&articleid=1701

If you use DD-WRT, you'll probably have more options for QoS.  Here's a link:  http://www.howtogeek.com/70659/how-to-give-your-computers-network-traffic-priority-with-dd-wrt/

[Chilli]

Yes, I do have DD WRT and more options.  My question is, should I slow down my connection (yes it is hardwired to the router).  I mean should I give others more priority and by slowing down my connection will I get a more STABLE connection.   Speed is not the issue (finally a good ISP) but the shared bandwidth I am afraid may interfere at times.  So far I only had one really bad experience, including warps and lag.  That was during a particularly heavy storm.

And thanks for all the responses.  I am really at a lost with connectivity beyond the old modems and have to deal w/ my daughter who lectures me on not knowing the technical stuff and tinkering with settings without knowing the consequences.

[katanaso]

Yes, I do have DD WRT and more options.  My question is, should I slow down my connection (yes it is hardwired to the router).  I mean should I give others more priority and by slowing down my connection will I get a more STABLE connection.   Speed is not the issue (finally a good ISP) but the shared bandwidth I am afraid may interfere at times.  So far I only had one really bad experience, including warps and lag.  That was during a particularly heavy storm.

And thanks for all the responses.  I am really at a lost with connectivity beyond the old modems and have to deal w/ my daughter who lectures me on not knowing the technical stuff and tinkering with settings without knowing the consequences.

No, it shouldn't matter.  It's not the same thing as slowing down a dial-up modem. 

Does the problem exist when the TV and other WiFi devices are off?  Or is it only when they're on and using the Internet?

I just replaced two of those routers at my folks' house this past weekend, as they finally failed.  They're old devices, so it's possible there's a hardware issue as well.

[captain1ma]

bring in a second connection and screw the rest of the family! this game is way more important!!!

if its an older router, try upgrading the firmware. in the past ive had problems with older routers. upgrading the firmware helps...most of the time. i know this is basic, but the pipe is only so big. if everyone else is using all the bandwith, then theres not much left for the game, it wont matter what you do to the speed, it can only handle so much data.

you could be a jerk, and shut off wireless while you're playing. that would reduce throughput and piss off the family, but atleast you'd have a more stable connection.

the other thing is maybe try saving your settings, and reloading the game. maybe its the game that's unstable, not the connection. for the record, windows8 can be a bit funky, but should really be a problem per se.

anyway thats my .02 cents..... <S>

[Chilli]

Thanks, I hadn't thought about a second connection.  With the upgrade I just made it is almost just as economical after the initial setup.  But before I go that far, I will see how much time and effect it is having.

So far, lag is my primary problem.  It was only once or twice during very poor weather conditions that the connection was noticeably quirky.  The lag issue however does seem to be persistent. I notice it when I click on the clipboard and items blow up a second later than they should.

The Package I currently have is 3Mbps download and 1.5 upload.  There are two higher packages that I could purchase including a 5 Mbps package and one higher.  But as I said before lag is my real issue and to spend twice as much and not solve that is not what I would wish to do.

[Skuzzy]

The 'last mile' is seldom the problem.  It is usually the ISP's network where 'lag' comes into play.

[Chilli]

I agree Skuzzy, something internet related, as I have had smooth gameplay over the years.  This is a relatively new ISP for me and I am just starting to look into these issues.  I am always hoping that there are simple solutions that at least are not larger than the inconvenience that I am experiencing.

I truly appreciate the fact that your staff monitors these discussions and have offered good advice and helpful solutions in the past.  So, here is the PingPlotter text that shows ???? 100% loss at hop 10.  That seems to be the norm for me.  Since there is no address for hop 10, I am at a loss.  It looks suspiciously like the probable cause of my slight delay.  All the other numbers look excellent to me in comparison to what I have been used to in the past. 
    Thanks all for helping.  I used to know some stuff but now  I am clueless 

Target Name: static-71-252-137-149.dllstx.fios.verizon.net
         IP: 71.252.137.149
  Date/Time: 5/20/2014 2:46:32 PM to 5/20/2014 2:47:45 PM

Hop Sent Err   PL% Min Max Avg  Host Name / [IP]
 1    30   0   0.0   0   0   0  Lucifer [192.168.1.1]
 2    30   0   0.0   1  11   2  49-149-189-199.nnwifi.net [199.189.149.49]
 3    30   0   0.0   4  30   7  25-96-0-173.nnwifi.net [173.0.96.25]
 4    30   0   0.0   4  27   7  static-69-161-100-105.cpe.metrocast.net [69.161.100.105]
 5    30   0   0.0   7  52  11  static-216-36-30-204.cpe.metrocast.net [216.36.30.204]
 6    30   0   0.0  15  27  17  static-216-36-30-205.cpe.metrocast.net [216.36.30.205]
 7    30   0   0.0   9  21  12  te0-3-0-15.ccr41.iad02.atlas.cogentco.com [38.122.63.145]
 8    15   0   0.0   9  35  14  verizon.iad01.atlas.cogentco. com [154.54.12.46]
 9    21   0   0.0  46  58  51  B200.DLLSTX-LCR-22.verizon-gni.net [130.81.162.161]
10    30  30 100.0   0   0   0   [-] * note line 10 says 100% packet loss
11    30   0   0.0  47  61  50  static-71-252-137-149.dllstx.fios.verizon.net [71.252.137.149]

[Skuzzy]

Hop 10 is simply not honoring the "ICMP ECHO" message.  Some routers do that.

I see a high percentage of variance in each hop though.

[Chilli]

As good as it gets????  Or is there something that ISP is doing to throttle down the connection speed???   Again I am clueless what would cause variance......  in game the monitor has been showing a much better picture than what I got with my old system.  Again, making me wonder if there is anything on my end.  For example, if I increase the ground clutter my variance picture from in game monitor goes saw tooth.  I will try and get some snapshot comparisons in a minute.

 

[MrRiplEy[H]]

As good as it gets????  Or is there something that ISP is doing to throttle down the connection speed???   Again I am clueless what would cause variance......  in game the monitor has been showing a much better picture than what I got with my old system.  Again, making me wonder if there is anything on my end.  For example, if I increase the ground clutter my variance picture from in game monitor goes saw tooth.  I will try and get some snapshot comparisons in a minute.

 

If the variance changes when you adjust graphics settings it means your computer is fighting for resources. You either don't have TCP offloading or your CPU is seriously underpowered.