Say I have a 5 Mbps downstream Internet connection (e.g. cable). Why would the speed of my wireless network matter beyond 5 Mbps when surfing? I might have a faster networking experience, but 54 or 108 Mbps wireless network wouldn't make my Internet experience faster! Right or wrong and why?
2006-08-25 16:28:08 · 5 answers · asked by Paparies 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Say I have a 5 Mbps downstream Internet connection (e.g. cable). Why would the speed of my wireless network matter beyond 5 Mbps when surfing? I might have a faster networking experience, but 54 or 108 Mbps wireless network wouldn't make my Internet experience faster! Right or wrong and why?
Thanks for the answers so far (5). But doesn't distance play a role, too? I assume you would get slower speeds the further you are away from the router!?
2006-08-26 03:13:10 · update #1
Well, you need to look at that faster speed as "extra bandwidth".
You don't need it if there's only one PC on your network. However, like some of the others said, multiple PC's sharing that bandwidth comes into play. Not only when transferring files between PC's, but it also matters when they are hitting the internet at the same time. It's nice to have the extra headroom that a 54Mbps or faster connection provides, though it's not an absolute necessity.
I can understand why you're asking the question. A lot of salespeople and wannabe techies often say get the faster or speedier option. It's too often that these geeks forget that having something you're not using is nothing more than having bragging rights. And to non-geeks, they could care less...
2006-08-25 16:58:38 · answer #1 · answered by SirCharles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're absolutely correct. wireless is just a transmitter. it only takes info from your modem and sends it to your computer. therefore everything is limited by the modem. the modem determines how fast everything goes. it doesn't hurt to have a wireless connection faster than your modem. but it doesn't help either.
where it can help is if you have two or more computers on a wireless network and you're transferring data between computers. then you're relying solely on the wireless transmitter for speed.
2006-08-25 23:37:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
But when transfer files, etc between computers on the network the difference would come into play.
2006-08-25 23:35:27 · answer #3 · answered by Fremen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would matter if you want to connect to other computers that uses the same network, i.e. file sharing from a desktop computer using a wired connection.
2006-08-25 23:35:39 · answer #4 · answered by jakjak 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Correct, Even if you upgraded your wireless, you would still be limited by the connection speed from your isp.
2006-08-25 23:30:58 · answer #5 · answered by romeohsdrumline 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋