How to Download Games from Steam Faster

obtain video games from Steam sooner is a vital ability for any gamer. This information delves into a variety of methods to turbocharge your Steam downloads, making certain you possibly can leap into the motion sooner than ever earlier than. We’ll discover all the things from optimizing your community connection to fine-tuning your Steam shopper settings, and even some {hardware} upgrades that may dramatically affect your obtain pace.

Prepare to beat these prolonged obtain instances!

From understanding the intricacies of your web connection to mastering Steam’s obtain settings, this complete information empowers you with the data to obtain video games sooner. We’ll present actionable suggestions and methods, permitting you to keep away from frequent pitfalls and maximize your obtain pace. Let’s unlock the secrets and techniques to swift Steam downloads and expertise the joys of gaming with out delays.

Table of Contents

Optimizing Community Connections

Gaming calls for a sturdy web connection. A quick and dependable connection interprets on to smoother gameplay, faster downloads, and a extra pleasurable expertise. Understanding the way to optimize your community is essential to unlocking peak efficiency.Community efficiency is vastly influenced by a wide range of components, together with the kind of web connection, potential bottlenecks, and even refined interference. By addressing these points, you possibly can considerably enhance your gaming expertise.

Bettering Web Velocity for Gaming

Varied strategies can enhance your web pace. Using these methods can yield noticeable enhancements in obtain instances.

Optimize Wi-Fi Settings: Positioning your router strategically, away from partitions and obstructions, and utilizing the 5 GHz band (when obtainable) can considerably enhance Wi-Fi efficiency. Selecting a channel much less congested with different Wi-Fi networks may also improve sign power and reduce interference.
Wired Connections: If attainable, a wired connection (Ethernet) is mostly superior to Wi-Fi. It affords a extra secure and dependable reference to much less latency, making it best for gaming.
Replace Router Firmware: Holding your router’s firmware updated ensures you are benefiting from the most recent efficiency enhancements and safety patches, probably boosting speeds.
Restrict Background Actions: Heavy downloads, video streaming, and different resource-intensive duties can considerably affect your web pace. Attempt to reduce these actions whereas downloading video games.

Figuring out and Troubleshooting Community Bottlenecks

Figuring out community bottlenecks is essential for pinpointing the supply of sluggish obtain speeds. By understanding the varied factors of potential slowdown, you possibly can take focused steps to enhance your community efficiency.

Community Velocity Check: Frequently check your web pace to find out if the difficulty lies together with your web supplier or your community setup. Use dependable on-line pace testing instruments to gauge obtain and add speeds.
Verify for {Hardware} Points: Be certain that all community {hardware} parts (router, modem, community adapters) are functioning accurately. Defective {hardware} can considerably affect efficiency.
Firewall Settings: Confirm that your firewall settings aren’t blocking communication required for the sport obtain. Adjusting these settings is perhaps needed to make sure optimum obtain speeds.

Influence of Web Connection Sorts

Totally different web connection sorts provide various obtain speeds. Understanding these variations helps you select essentially the most applicable connection in your gaming wants.

DSL: DSL connections, whereas extensively obtainable, usually provide slower obtain speeds in comparison with cable or fiber. Their efficiency may be affected by distance from the phone change.
Cable: Cable web often offers sooner obtain speeds than DSL, providing a extra appropriate expertise for gaming, particularly for customers in areas with enough cable infrastructure.
Fiber: Fiber optic web delivers considerably sooner obtain speeds and decrease latency, making it a superb alternative for demanding gaming actions. Fiber’s reliability and pace are unmatched by different connection sorts.

Minimizing Community Interference

Minimizing community interference is crucial for constant obtain speeds. Understanding potential sources of interference lets you mitigate their affect.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Digital units like microwaves, cordless telephones, and different home equipment can create EMI, probably impacting your community sign. Inserting these units away out of your router may help.
Bodily Obstructions: Obstacles like partitions, steel objects, and thick furnishings can hinder your Wi-Fi sign, resulting in slower obtain speeds. Positioning your router strategically and making certain clear strains of sight can mitigate this problem.

Function of DNS Settings in Obtain Speeds

DNS settings can considerably affect obtain speeds. By understanding how DNS works, you possibly can fine-tune your settings for optimum efficiency.

DNS Configuration: Utilizing a sooner and extra dependable DNS server can enhance obtain speeds by lowering latency through the preliminary decision of domains to IP addresses.

Evaluating Web Suppliers

This desk affords a normal comparability of typical obtain speeds supplied by completely different web suppliers. Notice that these are averages and precise speeds might fluctuate.

Supplier	Typical Obtain Velocity (Mbps)
Supplier A	150
Supplier B	250
Supplier C	500

Steam Shopper Configuration

Unlocking the speediest Steam downloads hinges on understanding and optimizing your Steam shopper settings. Mastering these configurations empowers you to obtain video games at lightning pace, saving you precious time and frustration. Correct configuration is not nearly pace; it is about effectivity and a smoother gaming expertise.Steam’s obtain settings provide granular management over your obtain course of. From adjusting obtain priorities to troubleshooting potential hiccups, this part offers a complete information to maximizing your Steam obtain expertise.

Let’s delve into the specifics.

Obtain Settings throughout the Steam Shopper

Steam’s obtain settings present a versatile framework for tailoring your downloads to your wants. These settings assist you to fine-tune your obtain expertise, optimizing it for pace and stability. This cautious management ensures a extra environment friendly and satisfying gaming expertise.

Common Obtain Choices: Steam affords primary obtain settings that have an effect on the general obtain course of. These embrace choices for setting obtain pace limits and adjusting obtain places. These settings, if configured appropriately, can vastly affect your obtain speeds.
Obtain Precedence: Steam lets you set obtain priorities for various video games. Greater priorities be sure that these downloads obtain extra bandwidth, resulting in sooner completion instances. Prioritization is essential for video games you are desperate to play instantly.

Adjusting Obtain Priorities within the Steam Shopper

Prioritizing downloads is essential for making certain well timed recreation availability. This characteristic ensures that downloads important in your gaming schedule obtain preferential remedy. Prioritizing downloads enables you to management which downloads obtain extra bandwidth.

Guide Precedence Adjustment: You may manually modify obtain priorities throughout the Steam shopper. This enables for custom-made obtain scheduling, permitting you to strategically prioritize particular downloads.
Computerized Precedence Adjustment: Steam’s computerized prioritization characteristic analyzes your community situations and adjusts obtain priorities accordingly. This will show useful in conditions with fluctuating community speeds.

Troubleshooting Steam Obtain Points

Obtain issues are sometimes a results of community instability or configuration errors. By addressing these points, you possibly can be sure that your Steam downloads proceed easily. These troubleshooting steps present sensible options for frequent obtain issues.

Confirm Web Connection: Guarantee a secure web connection. Verify your router and modem for any potential issues. This can be a essential preliminary step to determine any network-related obstacles.
Verify for Software program Conflicts: Sometimes, different software program can intervene with Steam downloads. Contemplate quickly disabling different packages to isolate the trigger.
Restart Steam Shopper: A easy restart of the Steam shopper can usually resolve minor glitches and optimize the obtain course of.

Influence of Steam Server Areas on Obtain Velocity

Steam’s servers play a major function in obtain speeds. The proximity of a server to your location usually dictates the obtain price. Selecting a server nearer to your geographical location often yields higher outcomes.

Server Choice: Steam usually permits customers to pick the server location for downloads. This selection enables you to select the closest server, thereby enhancing obtain speeds.
Geographic Location: Servers located geographically nearer to your location will naturally end in sooner obtain speeds.

Steam Obtain Shopper vs. Different Obtain Managers

Steam’s built-in obtain shopper is mostly enough for many customers. Nevertheless, devoted obtain managers might provide specialised options for extra demanding obtain situations. Evaluating each choices can present a greater understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of every strategy.

Ease of Use: Steam’s built-in shopper is easy to make use of, with intuitive controls. This simplicity is a key benefit for informal customers.
Integration: Steam’s shopper integrates seamlessly with the platform, offering a unified expertise for managing video games and downloads.
Further Options: Devoted obtain managers usually embrace options equivalent to scheduling, resuming downloads, and superior pace optimization. These options might show helpful for customers with extra intricate obtain wants.

Desk: Influence of Obtain Settings on Obtain Speeds

Obtain Setting	Description	Influence on Obtain Velocity
Obtain Precedence	Greater precedence = extra bandwidth	Quicker obtain pace
Obtain Velocity Restrict	Proscribing obtain pace	Slower however extra secure obtain
Server Location	Proximity to server	Doubtlessly sooner obtain pace

{Hardware} Issues

Unleashing the complete potential of your Steam downloads hinges not simply on community optimization, but additionally on the interior workings of your pc. A speedy laborious drive, ample RAM, and a strong processor all play a vital function in how rapidly these recreation recordsdata switch. Let’s dive into the {hardware} facet of issues and see how we will fine-tune your obtain expertise.

Arduous Drive Kind and Obtain Speeds

Arduous drive kind considerably impacts obtain speeds. Conventional laborious disk drives (HDDs) depend on spinning platters and browse/write heads, making them slower than solid-state drives (SSDs). This distinction in expertise interprets instantly into obtain speeds. SSDs make the most of flash reminiscence, permitting for a lot sooner knowledge entry and switch charges. The consequence?

Considerably faster downloads.

Ample RAM for Quick Downloads

RAM, or Random Entry Reminiscence, is akin to a pc’s short-term reminiscence. Whereas circuitously concerned in thephysical* act of downloading, enough RAM is essential for dealing with the quite a few processes concerned in a clean obtain. A obtain can contain a number of background duties, equivalent to file buffering and error checking. In case your RAM is inadequate, these processes can grow to be sluggish, slowing down your total obtain pace.

Comparability of SSD Sorts and Obtain Velocity, obtain video games from steam sooner

Totally different SSD sorts provide various efficiency ranges. Usually, newer, sooner SSD applied sciences, like NVMe drives, provide the best pace benefits. These drives use a distinct interface and structure than older SATA SSDs, permitting for a lot sooner knowledge switch speeds. The NVMe interface permits for very excessive throughput, which may translate into considerably sooner obtain speeds.

Suggestions for Upgrading {Hardware}

Upgrading your pc’s {hardware} can dramatically enhance obtain speeds. Contemplate these suggestions:

Stable State Drive (SSD): Changing an HDD with an SSD is a major improve that may noticeably enhance obtain speeds.
Ample RAM: Guarantee you might have sufficient RAM to deal with the obtain course of. This will fluctuate primarily based on the sport dimension and your pc’s total workload.
Excessive-speed Community Card: A quick community card can additional improve your obtain speeds by permitting your pc to speak with the server at most capability.
Newer Processor: A newer processor, particularly one with improved multi-threading capabilities, can help with the varied background duties associated to downloads.

The important thing right here is to decide on upgrades that handle the particular bottlenecks in your system.

Influence of CPU Velocity on Obtain Speeds

Central Processing Unit (CPU) pace, whereas not the first driver of obtain pace, performs a job in how effectively your pc handles the duties concerned within the obtain course of. A sooner CPU may help with duties like decompression, that are important to a clean obtain.

{Hardware} Configurations and Obtain Velocity Potential

The next desk illustrates how completely different {hardware} configurations can have an effect on obtain speeds. This isn’t an exhaustive checklist, however relatively a place to begin to contemplate.

{Hardware} Configuration	Estimated Obtain Velocity (theoretical)	Notes
HDD with 8GB RAM, older CPU	Gradual	Vital bottleneck in obtain pace.
SSD with 16GB RAM, mid-range CPU	Average	Improved obtain pace however should be constrained by CPU.
NVMe SSD with 32GB RAM, high-end CPU	Quick	Excessive-end configuration, leading to extraordinarily quick downloads.

This desk ought to enable you to visualize the potential positive aspects in pace from upgrading your {hardware}. Keep in mind that real-world efficiency can fluctuate primarily based on components equivalent to community situations and recreation file dimension.

Different Obtain Strategies

Unleashing the pace demons inside your Steam downloads usually requires extra than simply tweaking settings. Typically, a change of techniques is required. This part dives into various obtain strategies, exploring methods past the usual Steam shopper to supercharge your recreation acquisition.

Third-Celebration Obtain Managers

Third-party obtain managers provide a robust arsenal for managing downloads. They supply options like scheduling, resuming interrupted downloads, and prioritizing downloads, making them invaluable for big video games. These instruments can considerably enhance obtain effectivity, particularly when coping with a number of recordsdata or intermittent web connections.

Key Options: Many obtain managers provide options like scheduling, pace optimization, and superior obtain administration, making the method extra streamlined and environment friendly. These instruments can usually monitor the obtain pace and robotically modify the obtain settings to keep up optimum efficiency, additional boosting the obtain pace.
Instance: Obtain managers like JDownloader and IDM are famend for his or her complete options and are utilized by many avid gamers. They provide functionalities equivalent to pausing and resuming downloads, prioritizing downloads primarily based on file dimension, and creating obtain queues. This potential to arrange downloads is especially useful for managing a number of recreation downloads concurrently. For example, downloading a number of elements of a big recreation may be successfully managed by these packages.
Advantages: They usually present a extra streamlined interface for managing a number of downloads, particularly for big recordsdata. Scheduling downloads, resuming downloads that had been interrupted, and prioritization of downloads primarily based on file dimension or significance are key advantages.

VPN Influence on Obtain Speeds

A Digital Non-public Community (VPN) can have an effect on obtain speeds in varied methods. Whereas a VPN can typically enhance obtain speeds by routing your connection by a server nearer to the content material supply, it may additionally introduce latency and bandwidth limitations. The particular affect is determined by a number of components, together with the VPN supplier, the server location, and your web connection.

Latency Issues: The space between your location and the VPN server, in addition to the server’s total capability, will affect obtain speeds. A VPN server situated geographically nearer to the sport servers can probably scale back latency, however a congested server would possibly introduce important delays.
Bandwidth Limitations: VPNs can typically impose bandwidth limitations in your connection. This might probably scale back the obtain pace if the VPN server does not have sufficient bandwidth to deal with the obtain demand.
Testing Suggestions: Experimenting with completely different VPN servers and obtain speeds is really helpful to find out the optimum setup in your wants. That is particularly useful when downloading massive recordsdata from a selected area or server. Check completely different server places and consider the affect on obtain speeds.

Cloud Storage for Downloads

Cloud storage companies provide a viable technique for downloading and managing massive recordsdata. They supply ample house for non permanent storage of recreation recordsdata whereas downloading them. The method usually entails downloading the recordsdata to your cloud storage, then transferring them to your pc. This technique permits for administration and group of huge recordsdata, lowering the stress in your pc’s cupboard space through the obtain course of.

Area Issues: Cloud storage options can present a major benefit for managing massive recreation recordsdata through the obtain part. They assist you to quickly retailer these recordsdata with out overwhelming your native laborious drive.
Transferring Information: As soon as the obtain is full within the cloud, you possibly can simply switch the recordsdata to your native machine, streamlining the method of putting in the sport. This course of usually entails downloading recordsdata from the cloud storage to your native pc.
Advantages: It alleviates the pressure in your pc’s storage through the obtain course of. It additionally permits for extra environment friendly group and administration of huge recordsdata.

Downloading in Elements

Downloading massive recordsdata in elements, or utilizing a multi-part obtain technique, can considerably enhance the general obtain time, significantly for video games with a number of parts. This method usually entails downloading elements of a recreation’s recordsdata concurrently, optimizing obtain pace.

Parallel Downloads: Multi-part downloads leverage the web connection by downloading completely different elements of the sport concurrently, probably lowering the general obtain time. Instruments like obtain managers ceaselessly make use of this technique to spice up obtain effectivity.
Resumption Capabilities: If the obtain is interrupted, the multi-part obtain technique permits for resuming the obtain from the purpose of interruption, saving time and avoiding the necessity to begin from scratch.
Improved Effectivity: By downloading a number of elements concurrently, the general obtain time may be dramatically lowered, particularly for big recreation recordsdata which have many particular person parts.

Comparability of Obtain Managers

Varied obtain managers can be found, every with its personal set of options and benefits. Components to contemplate embrace consumer interface, obtain scheduling, and file administration instruments.

Obtain Supervisor	Professionals	Cons
JDownloader	Open-source, in depth options, versatile	Steeper studying curve, much less intuitive for newcomers
IDM	Sturdy options, dependable, user-friendly	Business software program, potential for greater price
Obtain Accelerator Plus	Highly effective obtain acceleration, user-friendly	Restricted free options, would possibly require a license

Content material Optimization: How To Obtain Video games From Steam Quicker

Rushing up Steam recreation downloads is not nearly a sooner web connection; it is about optimizing each side of the method. Intelligent methods for managing recreation recordsdata and understanding how Steam handles updates can dramatically enhance your obtain expertise. This part delves into strategies for maximizing obtain speeds, making certain clean updates, and troubleshooting potential points.Sport file dimension and construction, replace methods, and file compression strategies all play a significant function in obtain instances.

Optimizing these parts permits for a extra environment friendly and sooner obtain course of.

Optimizing Sport File Sizes

Understanding how recreation file sizes affect obtain instances is essential. Massive recordsdata clearly take longer to obtain, however the construction of the file itself additionally influences the method. Strategies for lowering file sizes with out sacrificing high quality can considerably enhance obtain speeds.

Using file compression strategies, equivalent to ZIP or RAR, can scale back file dimension. This will considerably pace up downloads, particularly for bigger video games. Think about using specialised compression instruments for optimum outcomes. For instance, if a recreation is 15GB, compressing it to 10GB might drastically reduce obtain time.
Search for variations of video games with pre-built content material packs or DLCs already built-in. These optimized recordsdata may be smaller than the sum of the unique recordsdata and the DLC, lowering the obtain dimension considerably.
Select the proper obtain high quality. If the obtain permits, choosing lower-resolution textures or fashions, the place attainable, can scale back the general file dimension.

Effectively Managing Sport Updates

Managing recreation updates successfully is essential to minimizing obtain time and making certain a seamless gaming expertise. Steam’s replace system may be optimized to cut back downtime and maximize effectivity.

Schedule downloads for off-peak hours. Downloading throughout low-traffic durations in your web service will usually result in sooner speeds.
Use a secure and dependable web connection for downloads. An unstable connection can result in obtain interruptions and wasted time.
Allow Steam’s background updates. These updates occur within the background, minimizing interruptions to your workflow or gaming classes.

Influence of Sport File Compression

Sport file compression instantly impacts obtain pace. Totally different compression strategies provide various levels of compression and affect on obtain instances.

Greater compression ratios usually result in smaller file sizes, leading to sooner downloads. Nevertheless, some compression strategies would possibly barely affect the standard of the sport recordsdata.
The commonest strategies are ZIP and RAR, that are efficient for general-purpose file compression. Extra specialised compression algorithms may be employed for bigger recordsdata or particular forms of knowledge.
Superior compression strategies can additional scale back file dimension however might barely enhance the time wanted to decompress the recordsdata in your system.

Resolving Corrupted Sport Information

Corrupted recreation recordsdata can result in irritating obtain errors and unplayable video games. Understanding the way to determine and resolve these points can prevent important time.

Steam’s built-in instruments can usually determine and restore corrupted recordsdata. At all times examine Steam’s assist documentation for particular directions.
Re-downloading a corrupted file is a basic troubleshooting step. This ensures you might have a clear and purposeful recreation file.
Checking for conflicting packages working within the background through the obtain course of may be useful.

Sport File Dimension and Construction’s Impact on Obtain Instances

Sport file dimension and construction instantly affect obtain instances. Understanding this relationship permits for simpler methods.

Bigger recordsdata take longer to obtain. The dimensions of the file is a basic issue within the obtain time.
The construction of the file can have an effect on obtain pace. Difficult file buildings could cause points with the obtain course of, resulting in delays.
File fragmentation throughout obtain may also trigger slowdowns. Methods to reduce fragmentation can optimize the obtain course of.

Evaluating Sport Obtain Methods

A desk evaluating completely different methods for recreation downloads can spotlight the advantages and disadvantages of every strategy.

Technique	Professionals	Cons
Sequential Obtain	Easy to implement	Gradual for big recordsdata
Parallel Obtain	Quicker for big recordsdata	Requires extra bandwidth
Multi-threaded Obtain	Quicker than parallel obtain	Requires extra processing energy

Troubleshooting Particular Points

Navigating the digital realm of recreation downloads can typically really feel like navigating a maze. Sudden hiccups, irritating freezes, and sluggish speeds are all a part of the expertise. This part will illuminate frequent Steam obtain issues, equip you with options, and empower you to troubleshoot successfully. From understanding the basis causes of intermittent points to resolving obtain freezes, you may achieve the instruments to beat these digital roadblocks.

Frequent Obtain Issues on Steam

Steam, whereas usually dependable, can encounter hiccups. These can stem from varied components, starting from community instability to software program glitches. Understanding these frequent issues is step one in the direction of a smoother obtain expertise.

Community Instability: Intermittent community connectivity is a frequent wrongdoer. Fluctuations in web pace, packet loss, or non permanent community outages could cause obtain interruptions and slowdowns.
Steam Shopper Points: Typically, the Steam shopper itself can expertise glitches. This would possibly manifest as obtain errors, freezes, or incapability to hook up with servers. Common updates and upkeep are essential to mitigate such issues.
File Corruption: Sometimes, downloaded recordsdata can grow to be corrupted. This corruption would possibly stem from community points, or from issues in your pc’s finish. This will result in obtain failures or the shortcoming to launch the sport.
Inadequate Disk Area: Making certain ample house in your laborious drive is essential for clean downloads. Operating out of house can set off errors, particularly when downloading massive video games.
Short-term Server Overloads: Throughout peak hours, Steam servers would possibly expertise non permanent overloads. This will result in slowdowns or failures in downloads, significantly for common titles.

Options to Frequent Steam Obtain Errors

A scientific strategy is important to fixing obtain points. This part presents options for frequent errors, guiding you in the direction of a profitable obtain.

Verify your web connection: Guarantee a secure and quick web connection. Attempt restarting your modem and router, and examine for any community points. If attainable, use a distinct community to isolate the issue.
Restart the Steam Shopper: A easy restart of the Steam shopper can resolve many non permanent glitches. Closing and reopening the shopper can refresh its connection to servers and assets.
Confirm Sport Integrity: This selection in Steam helps determine and repair corrupted recreation recordsdata. Use this device to make sure that all recreation recordsdata are full and accurately downloaded.
Liberate Disk Area: Guarantee enough free house in your laborious drive. Deleting pointless recordsdata and functions can create the required house for downloading.
Contact Steam Help: If all else fails, attain out to Steam’s assist group. They’ll present extra specialised help to troubleshoot persistent points.

Troubleshooting Gradual Downloads

Gradual downloads are irritating, however understanding the causes can result in options. This part offers perception into frequent culprits.

Community Congestion: Throughout peak hours or when many customers are downloading concurrently, community congestion can severely decelerate downloads. Contemplate downloading throughout off-peak hours for higher efficiency.
Obtain Velocity Limits: Some web suppliers or community configurations might impose obtain pace limits. Examine these limits to know if they’re hindering your downloads.
File Dimension and Connection High quality: The dimensions of the sport and the standard of your web connection instantly affect obtain pace. Bigger recordsdata and fewer secure connections will inevitably end in slower downloads.

Causes of Intermittent Obtain Points

Intermittent points may be significantly perplexing. Understanding their causes permits for simpler options.

Energy Outages or Fluctuations: Sudden energy interruptions can result in file corruption and obtain interruptions. Think about using a UPS (Uninterruptible Energy Provide) in your pc to mitigate this threat.
Background Processes: Quite a few background processes working in your pc can devour bandwidth, impacting obtain pace. Shut pointless functions to enhance obtain efficiency.
Firewall or Antivirus Points: Firewall or antivirus software program can typically block Steam downloads. Be certain that Steam is allowed by your firewall settings and that the firewall or antivirus software program just isn’t interfering with downloads.

Obtain Freezes

Obtain freezes may be fairly disruptive. Understanding the causes will enable you to discover options.

Inadequate RAM: In case your pc’s RAM is inadequate, downloads might freeze. Contemplate growing your RAM to enhance efficiency.
Disk Errors: Errors in your laborious drive could cause obtain freezes. Use disk checking instruments to determine and repair potential issues.
Steam Shopper Glitches: Not often, Steam itself could cause obtain freezes. Restarting the shopper would possibly resolve these points.

Frequent Steam Obtain Errors and Options

A structured strategy to error decision is important. This desk summarizes frequent Steam obtain errors and their options.

Error	Resolution
Obtain Failed	Confirm recreation recordsdata, restart Steam, examine web connection
Connection Timed Out	Restart Steam, examine web connection, strive completely different community
Server Error	Anticipate server to get well, strive once more later, restart Steam
File Corruption	Confirm recreation recordsdata, obtain once more, contact Steam assist
Inadequate Disk Area	Liberate disk house, delete pointless recordsdata/functions