2007-03-27 10:14:05 · 18 answers · asked by driver3260 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
Ethernet Cable is faster.
2007-03-27 10:22:48 · answer #1 · answered by zenchess 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cable is generally faster, but you have to remember that however fast your wired or wireless connection, the actual data transfer is dependent on the slowest link. So
Cable connections have gone from the coax connectors (used from the 80s) at 10 Mbps to RJ45 at 10 or 100 or 1000 Mbps... As it happens, I've got some old kit which still has network cards with coax connection, running at 10 Mbps.
For wireless the speeds are generally 11 Mbps or 54 Mbps but there are some proprietary devices claiming 108 and 125 Mbps.
So, wired connections are generally faster, but it's clear you could have two neighbours where the wireless connection for one is faster than the wired connection next door.
There are bottlenecks sometimes in data transfer (so people using Gigabit networking have sometimes reported a maximum speed for data of about 300 Mbps - ie under 50% of the maximum theoretical speed).
One other thing (for those who are getting speeds above 10 Mbps for their internet connection) is that you might want to slow down some of the family (teenagers!) so give them 11 Mbps wireless cards (and set the router to a max speed of 11 Mbps) and you will force them to compete with each other for downloading videos etc etc).. Similarly, the cheapest mains networking devices run at about 14 Mbps (but data is often transferred at from 6 to 10 Mbps)
2007-03-27 12:50:45 · answer #2 · answered by Peter M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ethernet, by about 20 times at least.
USB 2 is also faster than most wireless connections.
2007-03-27 10:28:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ethernet, it runs at either 100 megabits or 1 gigabit.
Wireless runs at a maximum at 54megabits, but even then that's only if you're like 2 feet away from the adapter.
Your still faster then the fastest broadband you can buy or for any traffic you can generate on the local PC itself though so it's irrelevant for in home applications
2007-03-27 10:20:51 · answer #4 · answered by m34tba11 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cable connection is always clearner, no interference, etc. 100TX can provide full duplex 100Mbps on a switch, and you can go up to 1000Mb or Gigabit if you have the right harware. The 802.11a/g spec calls for 54Mbps wireless, but that is 1/2 duplex, meaning it hast to send then received. That will be resolved with 802.11N but it's only in draft right now. So short answer cable it if you can!
2007-03-27 10:27:48 · answer #5 · answered by Tony M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ethernet cable is faster but I'll recommend using wireless as its more convenient and isn't far off in speed.
2007-03-27 10:26:56 · answer #6 · answered by kwame_ek 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard-wired Ethernet has lower latency and is generally more reliable and secure. It also has a faster line speed, but this is less of a factor when using a typical home connection.
2007-03-30 03:37:22 · answer #7 · answered by Flup 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ethernet uses a card installed in your PC, a wireless connection may use an internal card but could also be a USB dongle or external card you plug in.
2007-03-27 10:19:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ethernet by a factor of almost 2. It's more secure as well.
2007-03-27 10:19:24 · answer #9 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
technically the RJ45 ethernet connection is quicker.
Normally you won't notice a difference unless you are doing something that is data transfer intensive like playing a game or music writing programme.
2007-03-27 10:21:45 · answer #10 · answered by Icarus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋