Dividing Downloads

Not exactly a Network & Sharing question, but this is as close to topic as I could find. I have noticed that while I normally can get ~400kb/s while downloading files with any given program, whether downloading a single file or multiple ones, if I split the downloading tasks between two different programs, the downloading speed is often significantly greater than 400kb/s.

I once thought that the speeds were simply the result of my internet connection (3.3mbps), but if that were true, it would seem that the total speeds of all downloads would be ~400kb/s, whether using one program or two.

Is there something else involved in regulating speed, that doesn't involve the ISP? I know that in XP, that there was a tweak that I did, with a DOS command at boot, that improved download speeds, but if I understand, that was an intentional "feature" that was supposed to reduce some kind of malware issue possibility.

Have you waded through these FAQs and tweaks?

Tweaking FAQ | DSLReports.com, ISP Information

Thanks, but that is a lot of tweaks to wade through, without any idea of what to look for. Did you have anything specific in mind?

I used some of the tweaks at that site back in the XP era, but have not done so on Win 7.

It may well be that the same tweaks still apply, regardless of OS.

I do remember at least checking on RWIN and MTU.

That used to be a highly regarded site and I assume still is---good forums, comments on all ISPs, etc.

I'm not really clear on what you mean by "downloading tasks between two different programs". Do you mean 2 different browsers or using download managers or? I just use Firefox, without download managers and would regard that as "downloading with one program".

I have used a variety of different programs for downloading, but most recently, Opera (browser) & GetFLV (video download manager).

I ran the tweak test offered on that site, but I'm not really sure what to do with it...if anything. Partly because my input values for the download speed, and the OS used are only the closest that I could find or think of. Here is the result that I got: