Download estimation time always wrong

[soldier from tf2]

Whenever I download a game, it says it'll take like 5 hours when in reality it takes like 20 minutes. They also say they'll download at like 800kbps but instead it'll be like 60Mbps. Why does it always get the time and bitrate estimation wrong?

[WhiteFoxy]

Hello,

Keep in mind that sometimes, wrong estimations can be a result of a busy or unstable Internet Connection. If your connection is busy or unstable, Steam will probably miscalculate the ETA because the download speed is varying.

Other apps also consume or require your Internet Connection, including, but not limited to, your antivirus (downloads updates), your operating system (downloads updates and upgrades) and even your web browser.

Cheers!

[soldier from tf2]

Originally posted by StockPiston:

Hello,

Keep in mind that sometimes, wrong estimations can be a result of a busy or unstable Internet Connection. If your connection is busy or unstable, Steam will probably miscalculate the ETA because the download speed is varying.

Other apps also consume or require your Internet Connection, including, but not limited to, your antivirus (downloads updates), your operating system (downloads updates and upgrades) and even your web browser.

Cheers!

No-one else is using my network, I use ethernet and my browser is closed any antivirus is up to date. Steam is the only thing using network resources on my computer, and it has never done this before

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by bobert:

No-one else is using my network, I use ethernet and my browser is closed any antivirus is up to date. Steam is the only thing using network resources on my computer, and it has never done this before

Up to your router, yes, but you share the internet with billions of people who also want to use the same cables, hubs, routers, repeaters and servers at the same time as you.

You don't have a direct cable to everything out there. It is all shared and congestion can happen at any point or someting can break and it takes a moment to find a new route to the server. Many things can influence the speeds you get.

[soldier from tf2]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by bobert:

No-one else is using my network, I use ethernet and my browser is closed any antivirus is up to date. Steam is the only thing using network resources on my computer, and it has never done this before

Up to your router, yes, but you share the internet with billions of people who also want to use the same cables, hubs, routers, repeaters and servers at the same time as you.

So should I be worried? The estimation times have gone way down now and the bitrate says 4 MBS, should I just leave it?

[soldier from tf2]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by bobert:

No-one else is using my network, I use ethernet and my browser is closed any antivirus is up to date. Steam is the only thing using network resources on my computer, and it has never done this before

Up to your router, yes, but you share the internet with billions of people who also want to use the same cables, hubs, routers, repeaters and servers at the same time as you.

I followed https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9498-WPDF-3220 to get my download speed and I calculated 32,000 kilobits per second

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by bobert:

So should I be worried? The estimation times have gone way down now and the bitrate says 4 MBS, should I just leave it?

As I am not sure what speeds your ISP advertising, I can't say what to do, but 4 MBs isn't that bad, though it may take a bit to download. I've left my computer on over night to download things in the past and that was on a slower connection then 4MBs.

Originally posted by bobert:

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Up to your router, yes, but you share the internet with billions of people who also want to use the same cables, hubs, routers, repeaters and servers at the same time as you.

I followed https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9498-WPDF-3220 to get my download speed and I calculated 32,000 kilobits per second

http://www.speedtest.net/

Test your speeds there.

[soldier from tf2]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

Originally posted by bobert:

So should I be worried? The estimation times have gone way down now and the bitrate says 4 MBS, should I just leave it?

As I am not sure what speeds your ISP advertising, I can't say what to do, but 4 MBs isn't that bad, though it may take a bit to download. I've left my computer on over night to download things in the past and that was on a slower connection then 4MBs.

Okay, I'm not too sure what's going on with steam, i've seen posts on reddit and my friends say steam grossly under/overestimates their bitrate and download time. As long as it doesn't take too long, then that's fine. Oddly enough, when i'm actually downloading the game, it says like 65Mbps???

[999999999]

Have you done any Steam Hardware Surveys in the past? That is usually where you pick the speed of your connection just as a tool for the survey. That's where I thought the download estimates come from.

[soldier from tf2]

Originally posted by 999999999:

Have you done any Steam Hardware Surveys in the past? That is usually where you pick the speed of your connection just as a tool for the survey. That's where I thought the download estimates come from.

I'm downloading PUBG right now at 65Mbps... hmmm steam. I started it 20 minutes ago and already at 65%

[999999999]

Originally posted by bobert:

Originally posted by 999999999:

Have you done any Steam Hardware Surveys in the past? That is usually where you pick the speed of your connection just as a tool for the survey. That's where I thought the download estimates come from.

I'm downloading PUBG right now at 65Mbps... hmmm steam. I started it 20 minutes ago and already at 65%

I'm only talking about the estimated time for the download before it starts.

If you get the correct speed, you're good.

[soldier from tf2]

Originally posted by 999999999:

Originally posted by bobert:

I'm downloading PUBG right now at 65Mbps... hmmm steam. I started it 20 minutes ago and already at 65%

I'm only talking about the estimated time for the download before it starts.

If you get the correct speed, you're good.

How do I do a hardware survey?

[999999999]

They are randomly given out every month.

[soldier from tf2]

Originally posted by 999999999:

They are randomly given out every month.

Never done one... oh well, the game's downloading fine. Guess I should just ignore it? I've heard people say steam overestimates the download time too.