Steam download peaks at 16.2Mbps and wont go higher.

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details

CapNKirkland Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:26am

so i have 100Mbps Fiber Optic internet (usually average 120 for some reason)
direct connection with Cat 5 cable straight to the modem.

but for some reason Steam will NEVER peak above 16.2Mbps and i don't know why. (i had the same throttling issue a few months ago when i llived at a place with only 6mbps ADSL internet where steam would never peak above 900kbps either)
how do i get the download to be closer to what i'm paying for?
is the server intentionally throttling me?

Last edited by CapNKirkland; Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:27am

The author of this topic has marked a post as the answer to their question.
Click here to jump to that post.

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Speed tests usually display "bits" per second. Steam defaults to "Bytes" per second.

"Bits" per second is always larger of the 2.

Steam > Settings > Downloads and check the box "Display download rates in bits per second."

< >

Showing 1-13 of 13 comments

 KARR™ Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:28am

Are you SURE you're looking at the right values?

a 120 Mbps connection will only download at around 15 - 16 MB/s.

Last edited by  KARR™; Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:29am

cSg|mc-Hotsauce Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:29am

Steam > Settings > Downloads and check the box "Display download rates in bits per second."

aiden Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:30am

Try this:

1. Click the Steam tab in the top left corner of the screen

2. Click Settings

3. Click Downloads

4. Turn "Throttle Downloads While Streaming" off

5. Put "Limit Bandwith" to "No Limit"

6. Make sure the download region is the one closest to you

mimizukari Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:31am

and tell us, what is 120/8? it's 15. which means, you're getting even more than you're supposed to. hail the internet gods.

cSg|mc-Hotsauce Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:31am

8 bits = 1 byte

OP is reading it incorrectly.

Viper Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:31am

120mb = 15 MB. Same speed. bits are one one or zero. Bytes are an entire 8 bit binary unit. That can represent values ( binary) up to 256.

Last edited by Viper; Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:32am

CapNKirkland Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:36am

took screenshots of speed test using the supported tool from the provider and what steam is giving me (i work at an ISP and know that speed tests aren't the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ bible)

https://imgur.com/a/0gcFQ

i'm not understanding the difference between MBPs and MB
is one Bytes and the other Bits?
i forget which one is larger

The author of this topic has marked a post as the answer to their question.

cSg|mc-Hotsauce Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:37am

Viper Feb 13, 2018 @ 10:38am

Originally posted by SirLoin of Burger:
took screenshots of speed test using the supported tool from the provider and what steam is giving me (i work at an ISP and know that speed tests aren't the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ bible)

https://imgur.com/a/0gcFQ

i'm not understanding the difference between MBPs and MB
is one Bytes and the other Bits?
i forget which one is larger

This is a bit...1
This is a Byte...10110011