Hello from Nova Scotia, Canada.
Recently, I upgraded my internet service to 100mbps. Installed a new modem/wifi router. I use a laptop for my internet. No other devices online other than a monitor.
For testing, I am using the Speedtest app by Ookla which I can run independent of the Firefox browser. For testing with the browser, I am using testmy.net.
I am finding a LARGE discrepancy between the download results I get with NordVPN on or off. The difference is around 1/2 performance, that is say 50mbps on/100mbps off. That is testing independent of a browser.
Then I am finding a HUGE difference between Firefox browser on or off. This difference can be up to SIX TIMES, that is testing through Firefox browser, say 20 mbps, and without Firefox, 120mbps.
So, for starters, since I can get 100mbps at times, my hardware all seems to be ok.
The first major bottleneck then seems to be Firefox 75.0.
Once, that bottleneck is solved the second major problem is NordVPN, at times, cutting download speed by 1/2.
I would like to know if these discrepancies are normal. If not, how to solve the Firefox problem first and then the NordVPN slowdown. I have researched these problems quite a bit and other than some minor tweaks can't find anything that would result in these major declines in download speeds.
Thanks.
Peter