USB vs. Ethernet Connection

  • Thread starter Thread starter John R
  • Start date Start date
J

John R

Windows XP Home Edition with 40 % free disk space, a 550MH CPU and 512 MB
memory using a USB connection for the Webstar cable modem I can not get the
download speed expected. Would a change to a Ethernet connection help? If
so, is a card required and how do I determine what card?
 
John said:
Windows XP Home Edition with 40 % free disk space, a 550MH CPU and 512 MB
memory using a USB connection for the Webstar cable modem I can not get the
download speed expected. Would a change to a Ethernet connection help? If
so, is a card required and how do I determine what card?
Click to expand...
Not in general! It depends on ethernet/usb version you would use and
your hardware configuration. USB data rates for example are
- 1,5 Mbit/s (Low Speed)
- 12 Mbit/s (Full Speed)
- 480 Mbit/s (High Speed / USB 2.0 only)

Fast Ethernet for example has a data rate of 100 Mbit/s. So probably
your low download rates are related to USB 1.1, if your USB controller
or you device (cable modem) does not support USB 2.0 standard. On the
other hand if you make use of an USB hub all devices connected to that
hub operate on a maximum of full speed rate even if they are high speed
devices.

Also USB is a serial bus standard that operates on a master/slave base,
in combination with many devices associatiated to a master that might
lower your speed too.
 
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