Powerline Question

[rekta]

Hi,

I have a new desktop PC and I'm planning to use a Powerline Ethernet to connect it to my router. I won't do any File Sharing or Gaming. I just need this PC to be connected to the internet.

My internet provider is Optimum online and I'm not sure of what my download/upload bandwith are. However, when I run speedtest.net with our closest server it says that we have 12.56Mbps (download) / 2.09Mbps (upload). I don't know if these are accurate though. Also, the fastest "actual" download speed that I encountered (using IDM or without) was 1.5Mbp/s - downloading iTunes. This 1.5mbps is also what I get from a well seeded torrent. Which is quite fast.

My question is there are a lot of 14Mbps Powerline Ethernet out there which are affordable and there are also 85Mbps and 200Mbps. I don't think I'll need the 200Mbps, but I'm confused between the 14Mbps and 85Mbps. I'm thinking of buying the 14Mbps because it is cheaper but I don't know if it will bottleneck with my Internet.

Some people say that most of the 14Mbps powerline doesn't meet the theoretical speed of "14Mbps" Bandwidth. They say that it only hits 4-10Mbps, depending on how far apart the adapters are or the brand. It also depends on electrical interference. They only report file sharing benchmarks but no one reported about Internet bandwidth.

Will a 14mbps powerline cripple my Internet too? Let's say I got unlucky and purchased a crappy powerline that only hits 5Mbps. Will it also affect my internet with Optimum?

The price difference between the 14Mbps and 85Mpbs is around $10-15 EACH. I don't mind spending an extra $30 as long as it will make full use of my internet but I don't also want to buy the 85Mbps if won't need it.

I'm currently 20-feet away from my router and I don't think I have any Electrical interference. Ethernet cable is not an option because my wife hates it, lol. I don't want wireless too.

Sorry for my English.

Thank you!!

 

[imagoon]

Powerline adapters are basically "best effort" like a wireless line. @ 12.56mbps 1.5MB ps would be plausible. Assuming 14mbps on the power Ethernet (optimal conditions) it should work, however it is hit or miss based on the electrical noise on the power lines. Often times a/c starting or running the microwave may be enough to cause them to disconnect or slow down.

The power adapters will not affect Optimum's network at all but it may slow down any machines attached to them (ie your network). IE if your adapters can only hit 5mbps, then your download will be at 5mbps. Optimum will not care.

It is very common for these units to only hit 30 - 50% of their rated speed, or not connect at all depending on the circuit lay out in the house.

 

[Modelworks]

For powerline ethernet I recommend buying it from a local store. That way you can take it back easily if it performs poor.

 

[rekta]

Thanks for info. Oh well, I got no choice If I go wireless, I have to buy a wireless router and a wireless pci/usb. The powerline is a cheaper option. I also had bad experience with wireless in our apartment because there are a billion routers around us, almost all channels occupied.

BTW, this is the link of the powerline I'm thinking of buying

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...PageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[rekta]

Yeah, I'm thinking of going to microcenter and try it out. It so expensive though. I hope they don't charge me for restocking fee if I return it. Cheapest kit goes to $120.

EDIT: Ooopps, I found one that is only $89

UPDATE:

I went to microcenter and bought the $89 and I've been testing it for 3 hours now. It is pretty stable. I never had any ping timeouts. Speedtest.net hits 13-14Mbps. I tried to turn on our heater / hair dryer / microwave / oven and it is still amazingly stable.

I also went ahead and purchased the $40 TII from Ebay and I'll check it. I'll compare both and see.

Thank you for your help.