.NET HttpWebRequest Speed versus Browser

Question

I have a question regarding the performance of the .Net HttpWebRequest client (or WebClient, gives similar results).

If I use HttpWebRequest to request an html page

Answer 1

The first time you request a page, .net tries to detect proxy settings. The solution is to pass in an empty WebProxy object. This way it just connects to remote server instead of autodetecting the proxy server.

HttpWebRequest request = (HttpWebRequest)WebRequest.Create(uriTest);
request.Proxy = new WebProxy();