Checking your download speed every once in a while is a good idea. By checking your speed at different times of the day, you can get an average to compare against. I also check my download speed using different sources as another comparison. After finding an average and you notice a drop in the speed, that can indicate a possible computer problem. However a small drop might only tell you that the network might be busy during that time of day. Using my computer as an example, my speeds usually run between 2800-mbps to 3000-mbps, I have a DSL connection. My upload speed stays around 700-mbps. If you have a dialup connection, you will see a speed of around 40 to 50-mbps. Cable or Satellite will be very similiar to my DSL. There are other speeds depending on what package or plan you have signed up for. My son has a Comcast Cable connection that is nearly double what mine is, but he also pays almost double what I do. So here are three locations where you can check your speed. www.speedtest.net  www.pcpitstop.com/internet/default.asp  www.speakeasy.net/speedtest