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jeb Aug 8, 2015 @ 10:09am
internet data when downloading
This isn't really steam related... but I'm wondering how much internet data downloads take? Like if I where to download a 1GB game, would that take 1GB of internet data?
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Showing 1-15 of 15 comments
kdodds Aug 8, 2015 @ 10:59am 
At least. Eroor correction, restarts, back and forth communication BESIDES the data transfer itself will consume more data. Rough guess, no source, figure about 0.9% more for a smooth download.
#1
Charlie Aug 8, 2015 @ 12:38pm 
1GB or less; really difficult to tell. The Steam Store page displays how much space they will take up on the SSD/HDD... i.e. Alien Isolation takes up 24GB on Steam but is only a 15GB download.
#2
jeb Aug 8, 2015 @ 1:14pm 
Originally posted by GhostMotley:
1GB or less; really difficult to tell. The Steam Store page displays how much space they will take up on the SSD/HDD... i.e. Alien Isolation takes up 24GB on Steam but is only a 15GB download.

yeah i know that... but i'm trying to download Shadow Of Mordor which is up to 45 GB HDD space but is a 42 GB download, what I'm wondering is... if i download that 42 GB will that consume 42 GB of my internet plans data usage?
#3
Charlie Aug 8, 2015 @ 1:20pm 
Originally posted by Stormlock:
yeah i know that... but i'm trying to download Shadow Of Mordor which is up to 45 GB HDD space but is a 42 GB download, what I'm wondering is... if i download that 42 GB will that consume 42 GB of my internet plans data usage?
Yes, it will use 42GB of your data cap.
#4
kdodds Aug 8, 2015 @ 1:41pm 
It will use slightly more than 42GB, actually.
#5
Charlie Aug 8, 2015 @ 1:44pm 
Originally posted by kdodds:
It will use slightly more than 42GB, actually.
Care to explain how? Steam downloads the files and then uncompresses when (if compressed) in RAM and then the files are written to the HDD. Now granted it probably isn't a 42GB download, probably more like 42.xxGB... However if you download 1024MB you will use 1024MB on your data cap.
Last edited by Charlie; Aug 8, 2015 @ 1:47pm
#6
Spawn of Totoro Aug 8, 2015 @ 1:58pm 
Originally posted by GhostMotley:
Originally posted by kdodds:
It will use slightly more than 42GB, actually.
Care to explain how? Steam downloads the files and then uncompresses when (if compressed) in RAM and then the files are written to the HDD. Now granted it probably isn't a 42GB download, probably more like 42.xxGB... However if you download 1024MB you will use 1024MB on your data cap.

Not necessarily. Transfers over the internet may contain errors during that transmission. If the chunks don't pass a check, the computer requests that i be resent. That is basicaly sending and extra chunk. If that happens severl time during a download, it can eat up a fair amount of the cap.

Having good hardware on your systema and the ISP's system will lessen the effect, but not remove it compleatily.

So if the cap is exactly 30GB and the download is exactly 30GB, there is a chance you will not be able to download it all, though you may get the vast majority of it.

The ammounts may be small, but they do count for the cap.

Hence why kdodds said it may take more of the cap then one actualy recives.
Last edited by Spawn of Totoro; Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:01pm
#7
Charlie Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:02pm 
Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:
Not necessarily. Transfers over the internet may contain errors during that transmission. If the chunks don't pass a check, the computer requests that i be resent. That is basicaly sending and extra chunk. If that happens severl time during a download, it can eat up a fair amount of the cap.

Having good hardware on your systema and the ISP's system will lessen the effect, but not remove it compleatily.

So if the cap is exactly 30GB and the download is exactly 30GB, there is a chance you will not be able to download it all.

Hence why kdodds said it may take more of the cap then one actualy recives.
True but it's very hard to know exactly how much data would need to be resent. I should have said 42GB or more but provided OP has a decent PC and Internet Connection it likely wouldn't be loads more. - You would have to have a very poor internet connection for GBs of data to get corrupted.
Last edited by Charlie; Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:03pm
#8
Spawn of Totoro Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:05pm 
Originally posted by GhostMotley:
True but it's very hard to know exactly how much data would need to be resent. I should have said 42GB or more but provided OP has a decent PC and Internet Connection it likely wouldn't be loads more.

No, it wouldn't me more then a a few MB at the most. I don't think kdodds was thinking a lot more, but letting the user know that 42GB download may use a little more then 42GB of the cap. Even if it turns out to be 42.001GB in the end.
#9
Charlie Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:08pm 
Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:
No, it wouldn't me more then a a few MB at the most. I don't think kdodds was thinking a lot more, but letting the user know that 42GB download may use a little more then 42GB of the cap. Even if it turns out to be 42.001GB in the end.
This is why I couldn't live with a data cap, in the last 3 days I have downloaded 60GB. In the UK most data caps for the month are 50GB - 100GB
Last edited by Charlie; Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:08pm
#10
jeb Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:13pm 
Thanks Everyone! that pretty much answers my question. I'm glad there's such a great community that loves to help! again... Thanks!
#11
Spawn of Totoro Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:13pm 
I agree. Data caps are horrible for us users. Not to mention they include uploads in those caps, so you never get the full amount downloaded.
Last edited by Spawn of Totoro; Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:13pm
#12
jeb Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:14pm 
Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:
I agree. Data caps are horrible for us users. Not to mention they include uploads in those caps, so you never get the full amount downloaded.

yes, they are frustrating.
#13
Charlie Aug 8, 2015 @ 2:17pm 
Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:
I agree. Data caps are horrible for us users. Not to mention they include uploads in those caps, so you never get the full amount downloaded.
Yep, shame because a lot of ISPs only sell the high speed internet packages with data caps and in some places in America I hear there are only capped packages available.
#14
kdodds Aug 8, 2015 @ 4:58pm 
Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:
Originally posted by GhostMotley:
True but it's very hard to know exactly how much data would need to be resent. I should have said 42GB or more but provided OP has a decent PC and Internet Connection it likely wouldn't be loads more.

No, it wouldn't me more then a a few MB at the most. I don't think kdodds was thinking a lot more, but letting the user know that 42GB download may use a little more then 42GB of the cap. Even if it turns out to be 42.001GB in the end.
That depends. On a nice, clean transfer, it should be slightly less than 1%, maybe 40MB on a 42GB download. But it could certainly be higher based on the number of failed checksums and chunk sizes. It could easily get to 100MB or more on an iffy connection (ppor pings, lots of hops). As far as counting it towards your limit, however, that would be a question for your provider.

Oh, also, WiFi versus hardline can also make a difference especially if you're on a WiFi with a lot of crosstalk/lot of devices connected.
Last edited by kdodds; Aug 8, 2015 @ 4:59pm
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Date Posted: Aug 8, 2015 @ 10:09am
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