Cable modem 512 usb or network card?

[TRICKPLAYER]

I am soon to upgrade to a cable modem in the UK using NTL, my question is which interface should I choose usb or network card, or is there no difference, and finally if network card is there a fast type or will any pci version do?, thanks in advance for any input.

[Jeff the Brit]

USB is simpler (you need Win98 or later). Plug and Pray actually does the right thing in this case and installs all the Windows networking components for you. You'll need a new driver if you have WinXP, NTL's help page has a link to it. If you opt for a network card, 10 Mbit/sec is way more capacity than the cable modem can deliver. Most cards you are likely to find now will support 10/100 Mbit/sec. As to which is better, USB takes a bit more processor time than network card, but the difference is marginal on a fast box.

[Matridom]

[quote]Originally posted by TRICKPLAYER:
<strong>I am soon to upgrade to a cable modem in the UK using NTL, my question is which interface should I choose usb or network card, or is there no difference, and finally if network card is there a fast type or will any pci version do?, thanks in advance for any input.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I would go with the nic card. I rather have my components seperate, your current nic will handle the bandwith, has stated above it's 10 megs, more than your mdm pumps out. The problem i've seen with USB is power mamangement (mainly with the linksys USB nic) where the P/M shuts down the USB for lack of use, when you try to go on the net, the nic won't "Wake up"

[TRICKPLAYER]

Thanks for input, a good version on both, my system is high power, P4 1.8A, P4T-E, 512 RDRAM,
so no problem there, I have only 1 pci slot left,
don't mind putting a netwok card in it but if usb is as good I would rather save it, so a few more honest opinions would be appreciated.

[12KB]

It mostly depends on the modem.

In my case, the provided modem had an RJ45 jack on the back, so I had to use a network card in my computer.

Given a choice of USB or network card, I would choose the network card. Network cards are fairly inexpensive and allow for better connectivity, like using with a router to share that nice new DSL with the other computers in your home or if take your computer to a LAN party for some gaming with your friends.

[TrackMan]

I'd go with NIC because running off USB you won't be getting your full available bandwith, also if you happen to have any peripherals running off the same hub as the modem when you're online it will seriously limit bandwith to them.

[Ahcoraj]

NIC. Less headaches.....

[+Daemon+]

go with NIC CARD its very ez to setup, I dont trust USB

[Budd]

go with the pci card. usb is nice, but it still has its quirks.