NIC vs. USB port [Archive] - SpeedGuide.net Broadband Community

jgordon

01-28-01, 01:50 AM

Can someone please tell me pros/cons of ethernet card over USB port if any? Thanks.

jman

01-28-01, 03:57 AM

I've only had mine for 2 days, but I'm using a Motorola Surfboard that has both USB and NIC connections. I am using the USB, mainly for the ease of installation. If I need to, I can put a NIC in, and use it to network my other computer to the internet. So far, no problems, and great download speeds.

Randy

01-28-01, 04:18 AM

i had both nic and usb i had prblems with my connection and cable co switched me to usb
later they told me that usb wasnt as fast as a nic but they contradicted themselves later
i dont think ther is much different really i like haveing my usb port free for asecond game controller or maybe a digital camera ?
but then again u may need the extra slot if u wanna throw in pci vid card er sumin
Hmmm i dont think its a big question ? i would choose to leave my usb port free !

Randy

01-28-01, 04:19 AM

gmcd33

01-28-01, 10:38 AM

Get a NIC. The nic will free up valuable CPU usage and therefore effect the overall performance of the PC. When you use USB the CPU will have more processes to perform thus slowing things down. This may not be as pronounced on faster processors but none the less is still there.

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Laplace

01-28-01, 11:37 AM

Both should work alright, but my personal recommendation would be a NIC if at all possible.

Why? Because quite frankly, the USB technology isn't that refined yet and my last DSL USB modem would cause my computer to lock up completely at times (the power button didn't even work). I also had to deal with extra drivers and other crap, whereas the NIC was plug and play.

Go with a NIC and save yourself some possible headaches.

SGTMAJRET

01-28-01, 01:24 PM

I have tried both and prefer the NIC. I would go back to the USB if I needed the PCI slot. Speedwise, I didn't really see a lot of difference.

coolqf

01-28-01, 02:49 PM

a NIC card has more potential. my USB reports a maximum of 10Mb
a NIC card can go up to 100Mb
(depending on the card of course)
plus I have read that a USB connection gives you a higher ping (higher the ping the worse)
Ping is more for gaming. You see a ping of 20ms on USB than on NIC 20ms. with NIC you also don't have to worry about installing drivers for the modem. with USB you have that worry.
(currently my USB modem isn't fully compatible with my WinMe. If I got a NIC modem that problem wouldn't exist)
I use to think hey USB newer technology so it's better (why I got the USB modem) now I believe that the NIC is better for modems.
partially my opinion and partially facts.
but I mean.... where can you get a DSL or CABLE connection above 10Mb????? so that's no real issue for the present time.

jgordon

01-28-01, 02:50 PM

Thanks for all of your responses. Appreciate the info

Ezdno

01-31-01, 09:09 PM

Are there any routers that let you use the usb ported modem to network computers?

Indy

02-01-01, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Ezdno:
Are there any routers that let you use the usb ported modem to network computers?

I don't know if there are any specific routers that have a direct usb hookup from the modem, but the cat5 connection works just fine. :)

As far as the whole usb/nic argument, I'd have to side with the nic in this case...most of the usb adapters that I've used (with maybe the exception of the linksys usb adapter) have been flaky at best. The nic cards are generally a lot more stable...

Ezdno

02-03-01, 02:05 AM

I opted to have the phone co. give me a external Nic Modem, problem solved as far as routers go.

Biketec

02-03-01, 11:12 PM

i think linksys makes a 3 port nic/1 usb dsl/cable router... lemme look that up... brb in a few minutes...

...back heres the link for ya'll
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=20&grid=5

check it out... i like my linksys dsl/cable router w/4 port switch better though...

Jason