Hacking [Idea] .3DS rom Downloading vs. Freeshop - Speed Test

[CreAtor135]

A common argument here on GBATemp is the speed and dependency when it comes to pirating 3DS titles. On one side of the spectrum, there's .CIA installing, and on the other, there's loading .3DS roms through Gateway/Sky3DS. Friendly little sprawl between the two, yes, yes. The only problem here is that there's no definite answer to which is faster due to the fact that everyone supplies rough estimates.

What I'd like to invoke here is a classic speed test between the two, to finally put everything to rest.

Now, ever since freeShop came to the scene, it has been praised by many as a new safe way to install .CIAs directly from your console without the need for a computer. There's nothing like this for .3DS roms yet, but each side has its pros and cons.

Pros for .3DS include - "Scene" releases, Unrestricted Download Speed, Takes full advantage of home internet, and Plug n' Play
Cons - Requires a computer with an SD reader as well as an μSD adapter itself

Pros for freeShop .CIAs include - Taken straight from Nintendo's servers, undeniably safe, efficient, requires no computer at all
Cons - Limited download speed due to 3DS's generally poor network capacity.

So, essentially what the speed test should entail is; how long it takes to download a .3DS file and transfer it to an μSD card and how long it takes to download a game from freeShop. Naturally, the test would be done on the same games and such. And finally, it should be fairly timed.

I could always do this myself, but if I were to do such a thing, I'd require proof and validity, and due to my limited equipment, it's not something I could easily provide. That's why I'm throwing this idea on the table, in hopes that perhaps someone might just pick it up and try to test it for themselves.

If it comes down to it however, I am indeed interested in this, and if I do partake in this, I'd be more than happy to share how it went.

Anyways, cheers!

 

[dimmidice]

in my experience (i didn't exactly time it though) dling+installing a CIA is way quicker when it's a file of 1+GB at least. i used freeshop to download a 2GB game a while back. it took hours. and my 3DS was in the same small room as my router is too. i don't use freeshop a lot though. maybe the servers were especially slow that day.

 

[CreAtor135]

in my experience (i didn't exactly time it though) dling+installing a CIA is way quicker when it's a file of 1+GB at least. i used freeshop to download a 2GB game a while back. it took hours. and my 3DS was in the same small room as my router is too. i don't use freeshop a lot though. maybe the servers were especially slow that day.

Well I suppose it doesn't have to be freeShop to represent the .CIA side, and instead a regular .CIA downloaded and installed through FBI/BBM/devMenu/etc. as long as either side has a fair matchup, for example a small game which would obviously be a hands down win for the .CIA side, then any method is fine.

 

[retrofan_k]

Freeshop downloads manage 2mb/sec for me, which isn't bad imo. Be nice if it was 9mb/sec that i get on usenet but 2mb is fine.

 

[spacelaser]

Let it goooooooooo.

 

[Asia81]

Let it goooooooooo.

Lol

 

[TheGreek Boy]

3ds rom downloading is way faster

 

[DeslotlCL]

It isn't fair to compare freeshop with a .3ds download from a pc... To be fair, .cia files hosted on gdrive or mega downloads at full speed in just secs or a few minutes, just like any hosted .3ds file. The only downside is that you have to install the .cia file, but you know, safe online play and no need for private headers is an insta win at least for me.

 

[CreAtor135]

It isn't fair to compare freeshop with a .3ds download from a pc... To be fair, .cia files hosted on gdrive or mega downloads at full speed in just secs or a few minutes, just like any hosted .3ds file. The only downside is that you have to install the .cia file, but you know, safe online play and no need for private headers is an insta win at least for me.

I responded to something similar earlier, and you're definitely right, I only included freeShop because it's a standard at this point. But freeShop doesn't have to represent the .CIA side. And also, the argument at hand is purely speed, nothing more nothing less.

 

[W4T4R1]

Freeshop downloads manage 2mb/sec for me, which isn't bad imo. Be nice if it was 9mb/sec that i get on usenet but 2mb is fine.

Is your a New3DS? Because i have an Old3DS and my download speed doesn't go over 750 kB/s, although my internet speed is 40 Mb/s (confirmed with other devices)

 

[DeslotlCL]

I responded to something similar earlier, and you're definitely right, I only included freeShop because it's a standard at this point. But freeShop doesn't have to represent the .CIA side. And also, the argument at hand is purely speed, nothing more nothing less.

I know, that's why i mentioned the two faster and most used host sites used for hosting .cia files.

 

[CreAtor135]

Is your a New3DS? Because i have an Old3DS and my download speed doesn't go over 750 kB/s, although my internet speed is 40 Mb/s (confirmed with other devices)

Same here. And my Internet goes up to 100mb/s

 

[W4T4R1]

Same here. And my Internet goes up to 100mb/s

So probably O3ds's WiFi card just sucks...

And i hate you for your speed

 

[GilgameshArcher]

CIAngel...

 

[Suicuark]

Well i've just tried romfs editing 2 days ago, i converted a .3ds to a .CIA the 3ds was 2 GB the cia 1.74 so i'd say 3ds is bigger. If an cia and a 3ds started downloading same place at the same speed , cia would won but , cia need to be installed , 3ds is not so i'd say 3ds won the race with difference of small minutes...And by the way free shop on an old 3ds would be slower than 3ds,but eshop download (ciangel or tikdevil ) may be faster

 

[retrofan_k]

Is your a New3DS? Because i have an Old3DS and my download speed doesn't go over 750 kB/s, although my internet speed is 40 Mb/s (confirmed with other devices)

n3ds yeah.

 

[MartinDocNewland]

I would have thought the end result would be more important then how long a pirated game takes to download

 

[CreAtor135]

I would have thought the end result would be more important then how long a pirated game takes to download

It's not like the point of this is which is better for use. What I'm gauging here is which allows you to play the game faster.

 

[nero99]

So you're comparing somethings g that uses wifi and Nintendo servers, which are normally slow, to something downloaded via Ethernet connection (for most people)? Of course downloading a .3ds will download faster depending on your host.

 

[MartinDocNewland]

It's not like the point of this is which is better for use. What I'm gauging here is which allows you to play the game faster.

There is too many factors to get an accurate answer so this question can never be answered. It's a bit of a cheek tho concidering your getting the games for free so does it really even matter?