DSL modem, USB or regular ??

shuki · Sep 21, 2003, 12:07 PM

I am switching over to ADSL from cable. I get a free DSL modem. Should I go with USB or standard nic modem? I believe with a router I have to go with regular model. Thing is, I have one already but free modem is included so I will take one. Which should it be?? any performance boost with one vs. the other or both basically the same performance? anyone know?

Judas · Sep 21, 2003, 12:09 PM

...USB 1.1?....if so.... i think it's not a wise idea to take USB as it's bandwidth limited.....

giganick · Sep 21, 2003, 02:56 PM

is this the same isp that you were complaining that you could not share your connection with??..or did you find another isp??...

Chaos · Sep 21, 2003, 03:03 PM

Shuki from what I understand the only difference that you may experience would be that the USB method would use up a few more CPU cycles as apposed to using a cat 5 cable to connect to you nic.... but bandwidth should not be affected cause they are not gonna give you that much pipe I don't think....I have a Com21 Cable modem and I use the USB connection and I'm happy as a pig in poop

@/2ct!< · Sep 21, 2003, 05:18 PM

I have DSL modem/router combo, and ethernet seems to run a bit faster than if I use USB, but not more than a few kb.

**MIG-31** · Sep 21, 2003, 05:26 PM

i currently use dsl usb alcatel modem and tried pci adsl modem found no difference in either at a rate of 512k connection.

DriveEuro · Sep 21, 2003, 08:40 PM

Shuki........ USB 1.1 operates at 7mbps.......... If you have a 7+ mbps connection (which i doubt) then you have no need to go with NICs. For the price the USB would be fine.

~~craig588~~ · Sep 21, 2003, 08:53 PM

When I tested a USB nic to a PCI one things were noticably more responsive online. There was much lower latencies with the PCI one.

Judas · Sep 21, 2003, 11:47 PM

....total throughput of 7mb/s.... however, it's the same as 10mb/s nic.... you are NOT going to be able to max that thing out.. you only end up using a fraction at a full load.... BTW, if anytime in the future that there are bandwidth upgrades (and there coming).... it would somewhat bite to have limited yourself....... Currently, i pull up and passed 6mb/s off some sites..... SO if i were to use USB.. i would be technically killing my connection speeds...........

jkayca2 · Sep 22, 2003, 01:49 AM

I would go for the regular Ethernet connection. I don't know how many routers allow you to connect to a DSL modem over USB.

krazy1 · Sep 22, 2003, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by @/2ct!<
I have DSL modem/router combo, and ethernet seems to run a bit faster than if I use USB, but not more than a few kb.

I can confirm this one too.. I have done MANY test with USB and with Ethernet and out of all the tests Ethernet was faster.... Granted their is enough headroom in the USB for bandwidth.... NIC cards are designed for this stuff and will be better for this use..... Then again I am a hard-core networking guy and hate to see a NIC not get used...

mike2h · Sep 22, 2003, 03:13 AM

nic all the way! faster & more router options. you are the first peroson i know going from cable to dsl. usually, if people bother to switch, it is the other way around. your provider must really suck!

The_Neon_Cowboy · Sep 22, 2003, 04:40 AM

The nic will give you a lower PING and has better reponse time and better bandwith....

usb uses cpu time and draws on your mobo for some (not all) power...

I have a modem that does both ... tryed both the 10/100 conction blows away the usb anyday

also woulnt be able to share the connection across my net work have a router etc with no stinking usb

shuki · Sep 22, 2003, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by giganick
is this the same isp that you were complaining that you could not share your connection with??..or did you find another isp??...

different ISP and different "backbone" in DSL.

Thank you all for the replies! NIC and cat 5 it is then

why am I going cable -> DSL? primarily because all of the cable providers are going over to dial up VPN connections

In such case I can not configure both my wife's pc and my pc to connect and surf simultaneously. Its one online or the other but not both unless I want to set up ICS (no thanks!) Also with this stoopid VPN Dialer connection I have it 2 days and BOOM! hello mr. blaster virus that had up until stoopid VPN connection had not phased me. I had all remote connection junk disabled and could safely hide behind my router. With VPN I just punch through my router and everything comes in. At any rate, I am going to have both cable and DSL for at least a week and then I'll decide which to keep. But if I can't figure a way to connect to the VPN directly from my router I'm gonna pass on cable

Dyre Straits · Sep 22, 2003, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shuki
I am switching over to ADSL from cable. I get a free DSL modem. Should I go with USB or standard nic modem? I believe with a router I have to go with regular model. Thing is, I have one already but free modem is included so I will take one. Which should it be?? any performance boost with one vs. the other or both basically the same performance? anyone know?

Everyone I've known who started out with a USB DSL modem had to switch to one that uses an NIC card. That's everyone I've known...and that's a few.

Sep 21, 2003, 12:07 PM	#1
shuki DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: in the hidden place Posts: 1,975 Rep Power: 0	DSL modem, USB or regular ?? I am switching over to ADSL from cable. I get a free DSL modem. Should I go with USB or standard nic modem? I believe with a router I have to go with regular model. Thing is, I have one already but free modem is included so I will take one. Which should it be?? any performance boost with one vs. the other or both basically the same performance? anyone know?

Sep 21, 2003, 03:03 PM	#4
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,268 Rep Power: 167 System Specs	Shuki from what I understand the only difference that you may experience would be that the USB method would use up a few more CPU cycles as apposed to using a cat 5 cable to connect to you nic.... but bandwidth should not be affected cause they are not gonna give you that much pipe I don't think....I have a Com21 Cable modem and I use the USB connection and I'm happy as a pig in poop __________________

Sep 21, 2003, 05:18 PM	#5
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	I have DSL modem/router combo, and ethernet seems to run a bit faster than if I use USB, but not more than a few kb. __________________

Sep 21, 2003, 05:26 PM	#6
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 56,821 Rep Power: 471 System Specs	i currently use dsl usb alcatel modem and tried pci adsl modem found no difference in either at a rate of 512k connection. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Sep 21, 2003, 08:40 PM	#7
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Shuki........ USB 1.1 operates at 7mbps.......... If you have a 7+ mbps connection (which i doubt) then you have no need to go with NICs. For the price the USB would be fine. __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Sep 21, 2003, 02:56 PM	#3
giganick Frikkin COmputer~! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kaysville, Utah Posts: 131 Rep Power: 0	is this the same isp that you were complaining that you could not share your connection with??..or did you find another isp??...

Sep 21, 2003, 08:53 PM	#8
~~craig588~~ Banned Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In clothing Posts: 3,510 Rep Power: 0	When I tested a USB nic to a PCI one things were noticably more responsive online. There was much lower latencies with the PCI one.

Sep 22, 2003, 01:49 AM	#10
jkayca2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 379 Rep Power: 0	I would go for the regular Ethernet connection. I don't know how many routers allow you to connect to a DSL modem over USB. __________________ [color=Blue]PNY Verto GeFORCE 6800GT AGP 256MB DDR3 - 1 GHz Win XP Pro (SP 2) - Directx 9.0c Intel P4 2.8C GHz - Abit IS7 Mobo 2x512 + 2x1024 MB PC 3200 DDR WD 74 GB Raptor + WD 120 GB HD with 8 MB Cache Hercules Gamesurround Fortissmo 7.1 Logitech Z5500 Speaker System Leadtek WinFast TV 2000 XP Deluxe LG GSA-4160B DVD Burner Logitech LX700 Keyb, mouse combo Mitsubishi DiamondPro 2070SB 22" CRT[/color]

Sep 22, 2003, 03:13 AM	#12
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	nic all the way! faster & more router options. you are the first peroson i know going from cable to dsl. usually, if people bother to switch, it is the other way around. your provider must really suck! __________________

Sep 22, 2003, 04:40 AM	#13
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	The nic will give you a lower PING and has better reponse time and better bandwith.... usb uses cpu time and draws on your mobo for some (not all) power... I have a modem that does both ... tryed both the 10/100 conction blows away the usb anyday also woulnt be able to share the connection across my net work have a router etc with no stinking usb __________________