speedtest is fast but some sites are slow?

[RonShort]

The strange thing is that if I take the same computer to work and connect to their network it is fast...

The basic config of the network at home is

-comcast router
-belkin wireless W/hub
-cat 5 to hub
-into net gear wireless (as access point)

at work

-comcast router
-same net gear wireless

if i use any PC on the home network including those hard wired to the belkin I see these speed delays.

Any suggestions? Is there some kind of conflict here to look for?

 

[TheJing]

I remember reading something about PCs and Macs doing that to someone's network. It was a long time ago though.

 

[GuitarG20]

my MBP has always gotten faster raw download speeds than windows computers, at least when tested with SpeedTest. Dunno why- it's probably something to do with internet protocols and efficiency.

 

[miniConvert]

Sounds like the DNS servers for your home ISP are a bit slow...?

DNS changes hostnames like macrumors.com into an IP your computer can connect to. Browsing sites with lots of bits and pieces can be slow if your chosen DNS servers are performing poorly, even though speed tests are fine once they get started.

I'm using Google's free DNS servers, they're very quick: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

 

[RonShort]

Sounds like the DNS servers for your home ISP are a bit slow...?

DNS changes hostnames like macrumors.com into an IP your computer can connect to. Browsing sites with lots of bits and pieces can be slow if your chosen DNS servers are performing poorly, even though speed tests are fine once they get started.

I'm using Google's free DNS servers, they're very quick: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

Thanks!! That looks like it has solved my issue!!!

 

[davidlv]

You may be surprised

Sounds like the DNS servers for your home ISP are a bit slow...?
DNS changes hostnames like macrumors.com into an IP your computer can connect to. Browsing sites with lots of bits and pieces can be slow if your chosen DNS servers are performing poorly, even though speed tests are fine once they get started.
I'm using Google's free DNS servers, they're very quick: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

I have found the Google servers to be better than average, but certainly not the fastest, and I believe that depends on your physical location and ISP, environment, etc. In your case, Google's DNS servers may well be the best, but why not test them and find out what is really the best in your particular case?
Try downloading "namebench", links below, which will test all the servers in your area as well as the Open DNS, Google servers, etc.
The tests will take some time so wait until you have no pressing deadlines, etc., to run it, maybe 10-20 minutes?
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/32784/namebench
http://code.google.com/p/namebench/

 

[RonShort]

I have found the Google servers to be better than average, but certainly not the fastest, and I believe that depends on your physical location and ISP, environment, etc. In your case, Google's DNS servers may well be the best, but why not test them and find out what is really the best in your particular case?
Try downloading "namebench", links below, which will test all the servers in your area as well as the Open DNS, Google servers, etc.
The tests will take some time so wait until you have no pressing deadlines, etc., to run it, maybe 10-20 minutes?
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/32784/namebench
http://code.google.com/p/namebench/

Thanks for the tip... the google servers tested the fastest for me.