Wireless Adapter (USB) Vs. Ethernet Cable (Livestreaming, etc.)

JzKezz · May 16, 2015

(First of all, my experience with networking is slim so if I mistaken a name/object or something differently, I apologize.)

(Secondly, I'm a Livestreamer (Twitch.tv) & a gamer who downloads and uploads big files in general, which is why I want to ask what the best option for me (internet speed-wise) would be without the upgrading my modem or router (whichever).)

Now I do know that an Ethernet cable would beat a wireless adapter when comparing speed and reliability of your internet connection. However, I have a few questions that is making it really tough for me to consider switching from a wireless adapter to an Ethernet cable.

So I'm currently using a Wireless Adapter (USB) to connect to my router/modem.

My workroom is 1 wall/close (5inches) next to my living room which is where my router and modem is located. I use cable, and my workroom doesn't have a cable slot/plug-in in the wall (lol whatever mabobber). So my only way of connecting to my modem/router is to use my Wireless Adapter. However, the distance from my computer to the door to my workroom would roughly be around 14-17ft or 5m. An additional 14-17ft/5m from the door to my workroom to my modem/router in my living room. So roughly a length of 30+ ft/9m length from my PC to my router if I were to use a Ethernet cable. The distance using my Wireless Adapter (obviously through the wall) would roughly be around 9-12ft from my router/modem.

(Because things get tight and in my way, I'll be using a 50m Ethernet Cable as an example.)
Would a 50m+ Ethernet Cable be faster than my Wireless Adapter (USB)? If so explain and refer a Ethernet Cable product I can buy. I've heard that you need a certain type of cable that can speed things up, like CAT.6 or whatever.

Also, my motherboard (MSI Z87 GD65) features Killer e2200 (or Ethernet Cable Slot). If you know what this is, its advertised as "high speed" internet when you're plugging in a Ethernet cable into its slot. I was wondering if using this instead of a PCI network adapter would be better or at least the same to where I don't need to buy a PCI network adapter? However, I have noticed people complaining about a loss of internet speed when using Killer e2200. But they're people who have fast like a mofo type of internet, like Google Fiber and etc.

My Internet Specs:
Provider - Comcast Xfinity
Type - Cable
Wireless Adapter - Netgear N300 (USB)
Upload - 6Mbps
Download - 7Mbps

THANK YOU!

-Juicy Banana

bill001g · May 16, 2015

The first thing to remember is you can never go faster than your internet connection...ignoring the possibility you might have a local nas or something.

So if you only have 50m of internet a 100m wireless will go just as fast as high end 10g ethernet connection. Both will only run at 50m.

The main reason you want to use ethernet if you can is wireless is susceptible to random interference. Can be as simple as someone driving by your house with a phone that is on the same radio channel as you. Game and video streaming are greatly affected by random packet loss and delays. Your normal web surfing is not affect much at all by even horrible wireless interference.

It we look at USB 2 your total bandwidth is said to be 450m. That is up and down. A ethernet port is 1g up and 1g down for a total of 2g so it has more total bandwidth. But again it may not matter both are likely faster than your internet.

The speed the cable runs is related to how fast the port in the machine is not the cable itself. If you have 1g ports you can use cat5e. If you a crazy person and have a server motherboard that has 10g ports you need to use cat6a cable. You can use cat6 for short distance at 10g but if you can afford 10g you can pay the couple dollars extra for cat6a. If you can get cat6 cheaper than cat5e it will work fine in 1g ports also.

With all the problems people reported with killer network chips I stay far away from them. They work fine if you can find a stable driver. I will never buy a board that has them on it since most the fancy feature imply you are doing something stupid on your machine. Why would you run torrent on the same machine and then need a chip to make sure the game traffic gets priority.

JzKezz · May 16, 2015

bill001g :

So how do you get faster up/down? Do you need to invest in a better or more meant for the job type of Router? And does the modem have much effect in up/down speeds too?

Looking at perhaps buying this router:
http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-AC1900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B00F0DD0I6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

As for Killer Network deal, I'll just stay away from it like you said, and everyone else. However the motherboard itself, is actually pretty damn good compared to my older x79 chipset P9X79 ASUS mobo. I do a lot of overclocking. Funny how I can build computers without reading the manuals or doing much research... Really good at the whole computer deal, but networking puts me down in the dirt. Internet Providers, separate companies that build their own modems & routers, location... In addition, not a lot of people touch on this subject nor post much information about it either. This is the only website where I feel like my questions will actually get solved.

J_E_D_70 · May 16, 2015

If you've only got a 6mb connection I don't think wi-fi or ethernet really matters. You're close enough that unless your intervening wall is full of lead your pc to router connection is way above what you can pull down or push to the internet.

The only way to go faster is to pay your isp for a higher tier of connection (our is 80mb down). They'll provide the right modem if yours doesn't support high speed. If you move up to say 50mb then you might want to look at ethernet. Rather than run around the door, punch thru the wall near (or under) the baseboard and go direct. Should look much less cluttered if done right. Could also use wall plates and just pass straight thru.

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Wireless Adapter (USB) Vs. Ethernet Cable (Livestreaming, etc.)

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