[INFO] Understanding Download Speeds in the EA app [ Edited ]

[EA_Leeuw]

---

Over the past few months, the EA app development teams have been hard at work improving the game download process and releasing an updated UI to reflect these changes. We've also made significant behind-the-scenes improvements to ensure that downloading games and content via the EA app is as smooth as possible. We're proud to share that these enhancements have now gone live, and we’d love to hear your feedback on how the new updates are working for you.

For players who want detailed explanations, you can read the full information provided below. Alternatively, you can scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "Spoiler" tag to reveal a summary of the key points.

Mbps vs. MiB/s vs. MB/s

Understanding the Difference: A common source of confusion is the difference between megabits per second (Mbps) and mebibytes per second (MiB/s). ISPs usually advertise internet speeds in Mbps (megabits), but the EA app has displayed speeds in MiB/s (mebibytes). To make this clearer, the new EA app UI now shows speeds in MB/s (megabytes) to help players better understand their download speeds.

Here’s how it works

• 1 byte = 8 bits, so a 100Mbps internet connection equals 12.5 megabytes per second (MB/s).
• 12.5 MB/s is roughly 11.9 MiB/s, due to differences between decimal and binary units. This difference can make it seem like your download is slower than it actually is, simply because the app is using a different measurement system.

Real vs. Advertised Speeds

Your download speeds can never exceed the maximum capacity provided by your ISP. For example, if your ISP offers a 100Mbps connection, the highest download speed you would see in the EA app would be around 11.9 MB/s.

Hardware Limitations

Hardware can also affect download speeds, especially if you’re installing games on external hard drives or older USB drives. Many users unknowingly limit their speeds by using drives with slow write speeds.

A key factor is the sustained write speed of your hard drive. Some drives have fast initial speeds but slow down once their cache is full, which reduces download performance. It’s important to check your drive’s "Average Sustained Write Speed" to ensure it matches your internet speed. This can be done in a few different ways, for example:

(Click on "Spoiler" to reveal info)

Spoiler

• On Windows:
  
  
• CrystalDiskMark:
  
  
  • Download and install CrystalDiskMark.
    
    
  • Be sure to download the program directly from its official website. While this tool is not endorsed or supported by EA, it is widely used on Windows to test drive read/write performance.
  • Open the application.
    
    
  • Select the drive you want to test from the dropdown.
    
    
  • Choose a test size (e.g., 1GB).
    
    
  • Click on the "All" button to run the benchmark.
    
    
  • Once completed, look for the sequential write speed (indicated as "Seq Q32T1"). This represents the sustained write speed.
• Command Line (PowerShell):
  
  
  • Open PowerShell as an administrator.
    
    
  • Type the following command & press enter:
    
    winsat disk -drive c
    
    
    • (Replace "c" with the letter of the drive you're testing.)
  • This command runs a Windows built-in disk assessment test and will give you write speeds among other details.
    
    
• On macOS:
  
  
  • Using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test:
    
    
    • Download Blackmagic Disk Speed Test from the Mac App Store.
      
      
    • Launch the app.
      
      
    • Select the drive you want to test.
      
      
    • Click the Start button. The app will begin writing data and show you the sustained write speed
  • Using Terminal: You can also use the dd command in Terminal to manually test write speeds.
    
    
    • Open Terminal.
      
      
    • Run the following command:
      
      time dd if=/dev/zero of=testfile bs=1m count=1024
      
      
    • The result will show you how long it took to write a 1GB file, which you can use to calculate the speed.

Now something more technical... Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and DNS

To learn more about CDNs, click on the "Spoiler" to reveal additional information.

Spoiler

EA uses services called “Content Delivery Networks” (CDNs) to host game files. CDNs have servers spread across the world to get files as close as possible to players. These servers use your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) address to find the nearest server and direct the download from there.

Most players benefit from this, but it can cause problems if:

• You’re using a VPN, which might connect you to a distant server.
• Your ISP advertises your location incorrectly, leading to a slower connection to a farther server.
• Your ISP’s Domain Name Server (DNS) is down or unreliable, blocking the EA app from connecting to CDN servers.

Practical tips to improve your download speeds

• Make sure your external drives are connected via high-speed USB ports that can support your internet speed, and use cables designed for higher speeds.
• Use hard drives with high sustained write speeds and avoid older USB drives that can slow down your downloads.

What we are doing to improve your experience

As games get larger and need faster internet connections, EA is constantly working to improve download speeds. This includes using multiple servers at once, speeding up encryption algorithms, and reducing inefficiencies in data transfer. These improvements will ensure faster downloads for most players.

Unfortunately, The Sims 4 doesn’t have these faster download speeds yet. However, they will be available within the next few months as part of EA’s ongoing improvements.

---

In summary

Spoiler

Key Points on Download Speeds:

1. Speed Units Explained:

   • Internet speeds are advertised in Mbps (megabits), but the EA app now shows MB/s (megabytes) for clarity.
   • Example: A 100Mbps connection translates to roughly 12.5 MB/s download speed.

2. Factors Affecting Speeds:

   • ISP Speeds: Your download cannot exceed your ISP's advertised limit.
   • Hardware Limitations: Drives with low sustained write speeds, especially older or external drives, may bottleneck downloads.

Improving Performance:

• Test your drive's sustained write speed using tools like CrystalDiskMark (Windows) or Blackmagic Disk Speed Test (macOS).
• Ensure high-speed USB connections and avoid outdated hardware.

CDN and DNS Insights:

• EA uses Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to optimize downloads based on your location. Issues like VPNs, ISP inaccuracies, or unreliable DNS can slow downloads.

Future Enhancements:

EA (we) is working on faster downloads through multiple servers, optimized encryption, and data transfer improvements. Some games, like The Sims 4, will gain these enhancements in the coming months.