Why does it say in this window that my connection is 54MBps but its only 610 kbps when I download anything?

[Funadddelic]

As you can see in the picture below, it says my Link Speed is 54 Mbps, but its only 610 kbps maximum when I download anything, whether it be a game from a Steam or a new AMD graphic driver from Chrome, can someone clarify please what this excatly means?

http://postimg.org/image/ci4ot1ifp/full/

 

[kanewolf]

54Mbit is the wireless link rate that you have between your host and the wireless router. That would be a wireless G connection. That is pretty slow these days. It has nothing to do with your speed to the internet. Downloads are usually in KB (bytes) per second. You probably have a 5Mbit internet speed.

 

[yoji]

Because you are using the wireless standard which has a maximum 54 Mbs.. that's is maximum theoretical speed.. its not telling you what you get.. (as you have seen)..
HTH
Cheers

 

[Funadddelic]

So in other words, my maximum theoretical download speed through the current wireless system I have would be 54 mbps if I had such Internet package that gives that speed? In other words (XD), that means that if I had an Internet download speed of 70mbps, through my current wireless USB stick it go only until it reaches 54 Mbps and the rest of it, which is 16, couldnt be reached?

 

[ficler1977]

Its like highway(motorway) sign.
The network is phisically(theoretically) limited to lets say 54mbits per second like 100 miles per hour on motorway.
100miles per hour does not mean all cars are travelling at that speed or Your internet provider gives You 20mbit per second instead of 54mbit. but it will still run 20mbit onto 54mbit motorway.
This is entirely normal.

 

[kanewolf]

AND with WIFI the throughput is cut in half because WIFI is not full duplex (send and receive at the same time). So with 54Mbit link rate your maximum throughput is about 27Mbit.

 

[yoji]

So in other words, my maximum theoretical download speed through the current wireless system I have would be 54 mbps if I had such Internet package that gives that speed? In other words (XD), that means that if I had an Internet download speed of 70mbps, through my current wireless USB stick it go only until it reaches 54 Mbps and the rest of it, which is 16, couldnt be reached?

Yes.. but that 54MBs is a theoretical max.. only possible in the labs of the people making the specs... REAL LIFE max is usually much less.. so even though the theoretical max is 54mbs.. you may (realistically) get no more than half of that. So in your scenario.. 43mbs of your 70MBS package "couldn't be reached".
So if you want 70MBS for example.. you should go for a "N" standard wireless infrastructure/card.. which can do up to 300mbs (and if you get half of that.. its still more than your 70mbs service).
HTH
Cheers

 

[Funadddelic]

So in other words, my maximum theoretical download speed through the current wireless system I have would be 54 mbps if I had such Internet package that gives that speed? In other words (XD), that means that if I had an Internet download speed of 70mbps, through my current wireless USB stick it go only until it reaches 54 Mbps and the rest of it, which is 16, couldnt be reached?

Yes.. but that 54MBs is a theoretical max.. only possible in the labs of the people making the specs... REAL LIFE max is usually much less.. so even though the theoretical max is 54mbs.. you may (realistically) get no more than half of that. So in your scenario.. 43mbs of your 70MBS package "couldn't be reached".
So if you want 70MBS for example.. you should go for a "N" standard wireless infrastructure/card.. which can do up to 300mbs (and if you get half of that.. its still more than your 70mbs service).
HTH
Cheers

It makes a lot of sense now, thanks!