I was wondering how much its possible to download (p2p, rapidshare etc) on the various uncapped ADSL options. Im thinking of getting a 512k uncapped connection. Theoretical and real life examples would be appreciated.
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How much has anyone downloaded?
- Thread starter myles
- Start date
assasin20xe
Senior Member
when i still had a 384k line i could downloaded about 35gigs a month.
fz1
Senior Member
I've done about 60GB in a single month on an uncapped express account. However, I only used it for 2 months: the monthly accounts that you get (e.g. 10GB IS Fibre Semi-shaped, or for me at the time, 10GB SAIX Shaped) perform far better, because they use fibre based international access that will give you better latency than the uncapped accounts (those that use satellite based international access). This results in a more 'responsive' connection.
If you just want to queue up downloads in p2p and let it do its thing, then you cannot beat the price/GB of uncapped accounts. But if you want to surf the web, you may want to consider a combination of uncapped (e.g. to run overnight to work through your download queue) and a capped account (for when you want to surf). It's not bad by any means on the uncapped express accounts, but you should try it out yourself to see the difference.
Also, remember that the lesser (i.e. affordable) uncapped accounts have a threshold system/cap which limits your download speed after you have hit that cap. What has recently come to my attention is that apparently that speed throttling (i.e. once you have exceeded the threshold) is only effective at peak times (8am - 8pm, I think). Also, you could consider getting an uncapped package speed which is one step above your line speed so that you are not affected too much by the throttling (e.g. if you have a 384Kbps line, you could get a 512Kbps uncapped express account - that's what I did).
If you just want to queue up downloads in p2p and let it do its thing, then you cannot beat the price/GB of uncapped accounts. But if you want to surf the web, you may want to consider a combination of uncapped (e.g. to run overnight to work through your download queue) and a capped account (for when you want to surf). It's not bad by any means on the uncapped express accounts, but you should try it out yourself to see the difference.
Also, remember that the lesser (i.e. affordable) uncapped accounts have a threshold system/cap which limits your download speed after you have hit that cap. What has recently come to my attention is that apparently that speed throttling (i.e. once you have exceeded the threshold) is only effective at peak times (8am - 8pm, I think). Also, you could consider getting an uncapped package speed which is one step above your line speed so that you are not affected too much by the throttling (e.g. if you have a 384Kbps line, you could get a 512Kbps uncapped express account - that's what I did).
Snowolf
Well-Known Member
would love to know whats taking up so many gigs..... 
I'm not a very high end user but considering this is my first month with broadband I have killed my one gig cap and have done about 6.5 gig local. dloading iso's for linux.
I'm not a very high end user but considering this is my first month with broadband I have killed my one gig cap and have done about 6.5 gig local. dloading iso's for linux.
spiderz
Honorary Master
384kb line - max i did was 60Gb (2 x 30gb local accounts)
Theoretical max should be around 90gb (Top sustainable speed +-41kbs)
Theoretical max should be around 90gb (Top sustainable speed +-41kbs)
Well, previously had 384 line with IS bussiness express - used to do about 80gb a month.
Now on 512 uncapped - doing about 3,5 - 3,7GB a day = about 110gb per month (that is download only and does not include upload).
Most of my traffic is international via HTTP - getting max 50 - 55kB/s. On 512 line that is about the maximum I guess (don't know about local speeds).
Now on 512 uncapped - doing about 3,5 - 3,7GB a day = about 110gb per month (that is download only and does not include upload).
Most of my traffic is international via HTTP - getting max 50 - 55kB/s. On 512 line that is about the maximum I guess (don't know about local speeds).
fz1
Senior Member
Gosh, Spudman, that's a LOT of porn... 
wats the best for volume p2p downloading - shaped (how does shaped and unshaped affect p2p anyway? wats the differences?), unshaped, express, business, satellite, fibre etc... I must add that i would like to do XBox 360 online gaming now and then in the evenings.
I forgot to ask - are there any month-2-month contracts that any of the isp offer for uncapped.
What you guys think of intdev.co.za 512 express adsl option. From what i can tell itll work out to R1500 per month including line rental.
I forgot to ask - are there any month-2-month contracts that any of the isp offer for uncapped.
What you guys think of intdev.co.za 512 express adsl option. From what i can tell itll work out to R1500 per month including line rental.
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fz1
Senior Member
Shaped will work fine for p2p downloading - as long as you don't mind running your downloads in the evening / overnight (i.e. offpeak - weekends it will be fine.) If you want better latency overall and faster international browsing, IS Fibre Semi-shaped is a better option (at a slightly higher cost: R490 for 10GB SAIX Shaped vs. R569 for 10GB IS Fibre Semi-shaped). Unshaped is not worth the high cost (R100+/GB), in my opinion. Also, remember that there is nothing preventing you from mixing and matching accounts to suit your needs. You can keep an unshaped prepaid account "on the side" for your gaming if you wish (although semi-shaped should be fine). I personally don't think any of the affordable (i.e. 'express') uncapped accounts are any good.
I think only the 'uncapped express' accounts are month-to-month. Personally, I would stick to the well known ISPs for the best service: Web Africa, Open Web and Nexus.