Bad speed test site?

[Pghpooh]

HI
Another dumb rambling question
I use the Verizon FIOS speed test site to check my download speeds.
http://www2.verizon.net/micro/speedtest/java/
My download speeds are all over the place. See these posts. http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2152788&enterthread=y
and http://forums.anandtech.com/me...147719&highlight_key=y

Is it possible that the Verizon test site is so busy that it give me bad tests? I have tried a few other sites and the download speeds are a little better to almost perfect? Meaning consistent 13 to 14 megabit download speeds.
Could I be leading myself astray by using possibly a bad test site?
Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[Fardringle]

I ran Verizon's test a half dozen times and every result was within 10% of the actual speed of my connection.

 

[Pghpooh]

Fardringle
Are you using wireless or hardwired???? I have the 15 megabit download and with 10% difference I should see speeds of 13 megabit or so. My hardwired downloads are 14 meg or so. Wireless using the vz I never see more then 8 to 9 meg downloads. Sometimes they are as low as 3 m3g at 2am!! I go to Roadrunnerspeedtest in Rochester NY and I get 12 meg down on the wireless.
I don't understand the difference and why!
Pghpooh

 

[Muadib]

The reason you are seeing such a variance is because you are using wireless. Your router may have to lower your speed in order to keep a connection to your PC. If you want better speeds, then you might consider upgrading your wireless network to the draft 802.11n standard.

 

[PhlashFoto]

i use www.speedtest.net and pick the closes server to you for best case bandwidth.