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3 out of 5
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XP
GRC DNS BenchmarkPROS: Gives accurate and detailed data.  Gives simple conclusions which anybody can understand.  No installation required.
CONS: More deatail than most people would need.
VERDICT: Overall a very good program.  If you want to check your DNS, then this s a good choice.
PRICE: Free
VERSION REVIEWED: 0.0.3630.1
DOWNLOAD: GRC’s DNS Nameserver Performance Benchmark

GRC’s DNS Nameserver Performance Benchmark Features

The DNS server is an important part of web browsing.  In Layman’s terms, it finds the web page for your computer so it can start to download it.  The faster the DNS server, the faster the page begins to load from when you press enter.  The DNS server doesn’t affect download speeds, as some people think, but it will affect your browsing speed.  There are many public DNS servers available, most notably the all new Google’s public DNS server.

A nice little program that will help you find the best and fastest server for you is the GRC’s DNS Benchmarking tool.  With this, you can find the best DNS server for you and then get the best browsing speeds available.  This is a very simple program to use, there is no installation, so you can get to finding your optimal configuration.

The first step is opening the program up, and then selecting the ‘Nameservers’ tab , you can add your own server address, then select the Run Benchmark.  I added Google’s servers and ran the test.  For those who are not as technically minded as others, you can go straight to conclusions.  Otherwise look at the conclusions.  I will not be going through the relevance of all the data here, but information on interpretation is available on the site.  As it works, it will list the fastest servers for you, you can then check the conclusions and decide on the best servers for you.

Once you have decided which server is best for you, you then need to change which server you are using.  Bear in mind, though, that if you are on a laptop, your computer may not be able to connect through blocked DNSs, and you may need to reset it to the automatic DNS.  Assuming you are running Windows 7, this method will show you how to change your DNS to a more preferable configuration.

If you go into the control panel and select ‘Network and Sharing Centre’.  In the sidebar, you can select ‘Change Adaptor Settings’.  Right-click on the adaptor you are using to connect to the internet, in my case this would be the Wireless Network Connection.  For more deatails on how to change your DNS settings, please see RSVR85s article on the issue which gives a more thourough walkthrough.

If you then select the different Internet Protocols and look at the properties, you will be given the option to change the DNS server to a more desirable one.  This simple change can make a large difference to your browsing speed.

Overall, it is very functional, and is quite useful. However, for most it will be a little too complicated to use.  However, if you are a Tech Guru, or somebody who is very informed when it comes to technology, then you will find this very useful.

Download GRC's DNS Nameserver Performance Benchmark

Download GRC’s DNS Nameserver Performance Benchmark

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