cheap USB ethernet or a bit expensive PCI based?

[midi_amp]

an ISP at my hometown is offering approximately US$ 180 for a new cable instalation, the package includes one month subscription, a choice of Zyxel or Motorolla cable modem, registration, and a free instalation

my deepest concerns are the modems, does USB modems performs better or worse? because another ISP offering standard instalation with the usual RJ45 at approximately US$ 250 ... and I have very limited budget (going to buy that XMS mem modules)

thank you in advance

 

[lagger]

usb modems are more cpu intensive that is they use more cycles in general than a nic based modem

<b><font color=blue>Of all the things I've lost in life, I miss my mind the most </b></font color=blue>

 

[midi_amp]

so it's recommended or not? I won't be playing multiplayer games anyway, just basic downloading, browsing, etc

how about bandwith? I need to download heavy files for my study (photography), high res images are a must, will the usb modems handles downloads the same as the "old" standards?

I'm too new on this stuff

 

[lagger]

it is my opinion that you would be better of with a nic based setup

<b><font color=blue>Of all the things I've lost in life, I miss my mind the most </b></font color=blue>

 

[jihiggs]

usb is limited to 1.1 mbits. if your internet connection is capable of more than that, you still wont see higher than 1.1. also if down the road you want to add another computer to the same internet connection, you wont be able to use it with a router.

my computer is so fast, it completes an endless loop in less than 4 seconds!

 

[DanielR]

In my opinion NIC based is the wiser choice because of the options like home networking and the fact that USB is way more processor intensive. It seems for your needs that you would probably never notice the difference.
I find it strange that they only offer USB modems though, it really shouldn't cost anymore other than the NIC which should cost you less than 50 bucks. See if you can buy your own NIC and get them to install it for you.

who ever has the most ram when they die wins!

 

[upec]

It is better to use RJ45. A PCI NIC will offer better performance and RJ45 connection on the modem is more flexible. If you need to share the internet in the future you can just connect the modem to a hardware router. You can not do that with a USB modem.

 

[midi_amp]

this is going to be hard, I do have plans for sharing, but the cost for a standard installation (not the special price) balloon to US$300 approx...

guess I'll have to use my 56k a month or two more, untill I can afford RJ connections... sigh...

thanks for the help

 

[dstell]

PCI NIC is always better than USB NIC.

 

[jlanka]

minor nit - USB = 12Mbps

<i>It's always the one thing you never suspected.</i>