Speed variation

I am a new talktalk customer being conected via LLU only a few days ago. i have tried to check my speed using the new SmartAX MT882 ADSL2 modem supplied by talktalk and my old Speedtouch 330 modem with updated drivers. The supplied modem, with an ethernet connection, is returning a download speed of 1320Kbps. and the Speedtouch modem (USB) is returning 1875Kbps. I am supposed to be on an 8Mb. supply. Can anyone explain the difference in these figures, I understood that an ethernet cable would give superior results. Would buying a brand-name modem make a difference, if so bearing in mind that I do no require a Router, which model would be the most likely to improve my speed. I should add that I used 'Speeedtester' for these results.

Best thing to do first is to post your stats. See here http://kitz.co.uk/adsl/frogstats.htm

The line connection speeds may be different on both modems too, since there are variations between different devices.

As for being on an 8Mbps service it is up to 8Mbps as in rate adaptive, but if your exchange has not been unbundled by Talk Talk yet then a good chance you are simply on a fixed speed 2Mbps service.

If the upstream connection speed is 288Kbps then very likely its a fixed speed Home 2000 service

Sorry for the delay but I have had a lot of trouble trying to get the informationfrom my SmartAX Mt882 modem when I enter my username and password into the browser window it keeps on rejecting either or, which is strange since i am connected to the internet via this modem. i have had to abandon this and i can give you the information from my Speedtouch 330 which is :-

Speedtouch 330 USB Modem (Driver 301.0.0.12)

ReceiveAttenuation_dB= 45
ReceiveMargin_dB= 14

SendAttenuation_dB= 26
SendMargin_dB= 17

I have no idea what all of this means but hope it will help.
As i mentioned in my 'post' I do seem to be gettin much faster download speeds from this modem than using the MT882 with ethernet.

Thanks for the assistance

We need to know the line sync speeds also to intrepret the data.

Thanks, please excuse my ignorance but where do i get this information.

I have had a look at the Dr. Speedtouch screen and it shows (up/down) as
448/2.336 kbps. Is this the information you require.

Have a read of this. http://newsnet.googlepages.com/maxdsldiagnostics

It is possible to get increased speeds by asking TT 2nd line to reduce your noise margin from 15dB to 6dB or intermediate levels but you may suffer a less stable service.

The difference between modem performance is likely to be settings such as MTU and RWIN. The Huawei ought to be better in theory as it operates in ADSL2+ mode capped to 8Meg.

On a line like yours 5-6 Meg downstream ought to be possible as long as there is not excessive noise pick up.

OK it looks like you need to request Talk Talk to use a lower target noise margin, a figure of 9dB would allow you to almost double your speeds.

A sync of 2336Kbps if every thing is running perfectly should give you downloads of about 1900 to 2000Kbps from the internet.

Thank you for all the help and advice. As I am curently in the 'care' of the TalkTalk high level complaints team, they have arranged for me to have a discussion with a broadband 'expert' on the 2nd. April. Thanks to the very good advice I have been receiving from this posting I will be much better placed to ask the correct questions, for that I am extremely grateful.
I will report back to the forum after this has taken place.