I ran a copy of DNSBench to see how the new, shiny Google DNS servers compare to other alternatives that I have.
The short answer — meh.
The utility lists both the DNS servers I’m using (from Comcast, at home), and a variety of other available nameservers — including (once I added them) the Google DNS servers.
The fastest nameserver for me is the Comcast one here in Denver (68.87.85.102). Huzzah!
The alternative Comcast name server that I get assigned through DHCP (68.87.69.150) actually resides in Beaverton, OR, and is in the middle of the pack — with both the OpenDNS servers and the Google DNS servers. There are 24 DNS servers listed that are faster than the secondary one.
On the other hand, Comcast is one of those Evil DNS companies that, if a bad domain comes up, routes you to one of their own search pages. That might be enough to convince me change.
ThePlanet.com has a couple of DNS servers that are nearly as fast as the Comcast top one. I might consider shifting over to them.
Or maybe not.
Anyway, that’s how the Google DNS servers work for me.