Internet Speed on PC slower than phone

[echotrademarked]

I just upgraded to Virgin Media's 200mbps package, I am using a TP-LINK TL-WDN4800 N900. My PC settings mention that I am on the 5GHz band. Interestingly, after upgrading my internet, my speed has become much more inconsistent on my computer. I have the latest drivers. I've done multiple tests on my PC and it seems to cap out at half of my phone's speed. Though, sometimes Steam downloads with up to 20MB/s.

Here are a few screenshots:

Phone internet speed test: https://imgur.com/a/51WzWnf
PC internet speed test: https://imgur.com/a/36W5Zqo
Both of these tests were taken within 1 minute of eachother. What could be wrong?

 

[caledbwlch]

It could be a lot of things. For starters, the problem might have started earlier, but you only noticed when you went to test your new speeds. It could be anything from antenna placement, to re-positioning of your access point, to a neighbor that now has an unusually strong wifi signal on the same channel. The only real way to test the full download speed on your internet connection is with a hard wired gigabit ethernet connection. Wireless connections are half duplex, meaning they only send or receive at one given moment, but not both. They are not currently as fast or stable as a wired connection.

 

[echotrademarked]

It could be a lot of things. For starters, the problem might have started earlier, but you only noticed when you went to test your new speeds. It could be anything from antenna placement, to re-positioning of your access point, to a neighbor that now has an unusually strong wifi signal on the same channel. The only real way to test the full download speed on your internet connection is with a hard wired gigabit ethernet connection. Wireless connections are half duplex, meaning they only send or receive at one given moment, but not both. They are not currently as fast or stable as a wired connection.

The night before I upgraded, Steam downloaded with an average of about 14MB/s. The router was not touched, they simply did it from a distance. My PC is upstairs and my Router is downstairs, so I don't really know what to do with that. The speed was fine before I upgraded, so it's probably not my adapter. I don't really know what's going on.

 

[caledbwlch]

You need to keep in mind that 14MB/s is 114 mbps. Real-world wireless transmission rates for an 802.11n connection is about 100 mbps, so you have a pretty optimal connection with your wireless adapter. You won't be able to use the full 200 mbps without a hard wire, or maybe using a 802.11ac wireless adapter. If the faster one is from your phone, your phone must have an 802.11ac adapter. I already looked at the specs for your desktop adapter, and that is only an 802.11n, so it is maxed out. Any faster than you are getting is a theoretical speed, not real-world.

 

[echotrademarked]

You need to keep in mind that 14MB/s is 114 mbps. Real-world wireless transmission rates for an 802.11n connection is about 100 mbps, so you have a pretty optimal connection with your wireless adapter. You won't be able to use the full 200 mbps without a hard wire, or maybe using a 802.11ac wireless adapter. If the faster one is from your phone, your phone must have an 802.11ac adapter. I already looked at the specs for your desktop adapter, and that is only an 802.11n, so it is maxed out. Any faster than you are getting is a theoretical speed, not real-world.

Alright, that's fair, thank you for clarifying that part.
Are there any ways I could get an Ethernet cable upstairs? I'd guess that drilling a hole through the ceiling wouldn't be a particularly intelligent way to do it.

 

[caledbwlch]

There is actually, you can get or make a cable and run it through the air vents. You can do it quick and dirty through the opening, or you can drill a hole through and fish it up the wall.