Ethernet or USB - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Dyze · 08-25-2004, 10:24 PM

Hey guys,
a good thing happened to me: I got my cable modem today. The thing is, it came with a USB cable and connection as well as an Ethernet set. Is there any difference concerning speed, for example that the modem transfers data through the Ethernet cable faster than the USB connection?
Thanks!

alkaloid · 08-25-2004, 11:28 PM

I was always distrustful of USB interfaces. But that was in the old days before USB2.0. If you have computer less than 2 years old, it's likely to have both Ethernet port and USB2.0. In that case you probably would not notice any difference in terms of throughput. Perhaps there is some extra annoyance of installing drivers etc for USB, and the central processor would be taxed slightly more. For that reason, I would recommend using ethernet port, if you have both already. Also the ethernet cable can be very very long, while USB cable can't be more than a few feet.

If you don't have ethernet port, try using the USB port before going out and spending $10. If you are thinking about getting home network set up in the future, definitely go with ethernet.

Well what kind of computer do you have?

roboshark · 08-26-2004, 12:37 AM

It won't make a difference for you transfer speeds. My modem is pure USB and can support up to 8mbit downstream. An ethernet setup will require an (additional?) ethernet card, while USB is plug and play, unless you're running Linux or BSD or something not readily supported by manufacturers. I assume you have Windows. If you wanna go for simplicity, use USB. The load on the processor is negligible, and it's almost too easy to setup. I have a three computer network that relies on the USB modem to get online, and I've never had problems with the modem, the speed or anything else.

Ethernet is just as good, and probably more stable on a non-Windows platform. Only problem is it requires a network card, and therefore a little bit more work to get it going. But most network cards are also plug and play, so that should not be a problem either.

Have fun!

amokk · 08-26-2004, 05:08 AM

I pesonally prefer ethernet. USB tends to take up alot more resources than USB and I have found ethernet to be more configurable. You aren't going to find any speed difference with either though

08-25-2004, 10:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dyze Crazy	Ethernet or USB Hey guys, a good thing happened to me: I got my cable modem today. The thing is, it came with a USB cable and connection as well as an Ethernet set. Is there any difference concerning speed, for example that the modem transfers data through the Ethernet cable faster than the USB connection? Thanks!

08-26-2004, 12:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
roboshark Crazy	It won't make a difference for you transfer speeds. My modem is pure USB and can support up to 8mbit downstream. An ethernet setup will require an (additional?) ethernet card, while USB is plug and play, unless you're running Linux or BSD or something not readily supported by manufacturers. I assume you have Windows. If you wanna go for simplicity, use USB. The load on the processor is negligible, and it's almost too easy to setup. I have a three computer network that relies on the USB modem to get online, and I've never had problems with the modem, the speed or anything else. Ethernet is just as good, and probably more stable on a non-Windows platform. Only problem is it requires a network card, and therefore a little bit more work to get it going. But most network cards are also plug and play, so that should not be a problem either. Have fun! __________________ I want no escape.

08-25-2004, 11:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
alkaloid Dead Inside Location: East Coast, USA	I was always distrustful of USB interfaces. But that was in the old days before USB2.0. If you have computer less than 2 years old, it's likely to have both Ethernet port and USB2.0. In that case you probably would not notice any difference in terms of throughput. Perhaps there is some extra annoyance of installing drivers etc for USB, and the central processor would be taxed slightly more. For that reason, I would recommend using ethernet port, if you have both already. Also the ethernet cable can be very very long, while USB cable can't be more than a few feet. If you don't have ethernet port, try using the USB port before going out and spending $10. If you are thinking about getting home network set up in the future, definitely go with ethernet. Well what kind of computer do you have?

08-26-2004, 05:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
amokk Upright	I pesonally prefer ethernet. USB tends to take up alot more resources than USB and I have found ethernet to be more configurable. You aren't going to find any speed difference with either though