Maximizing speeds using uTorrent

[mset]

I did a title search for relevant threads, and I'm sort of surprised that almost nothing popped up. Briefly, I'm running Windows 7 and uTorrent, and I'm getting large variations in my download speeds. I found a good guide for optimizing speeds and went through almost every step suggested there. I tested to see whether my ISP is throttling me . The results showed that at the time of the test, only my upload speeds seem to be throttled (currently averaging a measly 2.0 kB/s for the past 5 hours). I'm not sure about how this affects me in the torrent world. My ISP, Rogers in Canada, is apparently one that limits BitTorrent bandwidth .

What I see is that rarely, a torrent starts coming down at up to 300 kB/s and even up to 500kB/s for a few seconds. Typically, though, I see 20 - 50 kB/s. This is with i.e.

Seeds: 54 of 502 connected
Peers: 6 of 731 connected

At least that's what I'm seeing as I write this.

This happens even when there are more seeds and peers. Now, I'm just learning about this stuff but I can't figure out why I'm getting these wild variations. Others who went through the steps in the first link above reported huge changes, but I'm stuck at these low average speeds for much of the time, with occasional spikes up.

I realize that it's very hard to troubleshoot this stuff and there are so many variables in the system. I'm just wondering if anyone has a magic bullet that worked for them.

I had no idea that there were 'private' torrent networks like Demonoid, and I'm just trying to find out about them now. I assume that they wouldn't be interested in having someone like me because my activity would be pretty low, and I assume that would affect the amount of useful seeding I could do (that along with my crappy upload speeds). I'd be happy if I got corrected on this point.

 

[wolfofone]

Make sure to force encryption in the settings

 

[ShadowStriker]

Lower your upload rate. It uses your connection slots that you could be downloading instead of uploading.

 

[Spooony]

Dont upload just download. Screw Bittorrent use bitthief

 

[mset]

Make sure to force encryption in the settings

Hey wolf

Okay, in that tutorial I linked to above, I found this

Change the Options > Preferences > Bittorrent > Protocol Encryption to Forced. This will force encryption on all outgoing packets and will not fallback to un-encrypted mode if the peer refuses to co-operate. Good for connecting to only encryption-enabled peers. Avoid doing this for torrents with low peers/seeds.

I assume this is what you mean. This is mentioned as something that can have varying effects on your speeds, including causing slowdowns,but as always, I guess I need to try it. Thanks.

 

[Spooony]

You don't need to encrypt jack. There's a hidden channel in the protocol that can be exploited easily

 

[mset]

Lower your upload rate. It uses your connection slots that you could be downloading instead of uploading.

Okay, thanks. I'll try that.

Dont upload just download. Screw Bittorrent use bitthief

Hmmm... okay, but doesn't that sort of go against the idea of torrents, in the sense that I'm taking advantage of the fact that others are uploading (seeding is the same as uploading, isn't it)? Essentially, making the information on your rig available through the interface for others? If this is wrong, feel free to set me straight.

I'll look into bitthief anyhow.

The torrents I was trying last night completed. The average download rate was consistent across two torrents - about 55 kB/s. Both torrents would (very) occasionally peak out at up to 250 kB/s. How does this compare with your results? Upload rates are dead slow - averaging 2.0 kB/s.

 

[Spooony]

Okay, thanks. I'll try that.
Hmmm... well, I assume this sort of goes against the idea of torrents, in the sense that I'm taking advantage of the fact that others are uploading (seeding is the same as uploading, isn't it)? Essentially, making the information on your rig available through the interface for others?

I'll look into bitthief anyhow.

The torrents I was trying last night completed. The average download rate was consistent across two torrents - about 55 kB/s. Both torrents would (very) occasionally peak out at up to 250 kB/s. How does this compare with your results? Upload rates are dead slow - averaging 2.0 kB/s.

no. People have no clue why bitthief was created and what is it showing them. or maybe they do but use the same method to boost their clients speeds. 2 Bittorrent clients exchanging secretly. That's not fair