USB or Ethernet for cable modem connection
 

I'm more of a software than a hardware guy, and I'm setting up a cable modem on the new computer. I'm thinking USB would be best since I belive it's a hell of a lot faster, but figured I'd ask. TIA :)

I would go with Ethernet.

Makes it real easy to add more computers later on if you decide to or add a WiFi base station.

BTW, ethernet is faster then USB.

USB is 480mb/sec
Most Ethernet is 10/100, however, some cards are 10/100/1000. It is rare to see a home machine with gigE capabilities.

However, I would still with the Ethernet model because as Cleo says, when you want to add a router to run multiple machines, that USB model is likely to have issues.

Another vote for ethernet. I`m just switching to DSL from cable for a HUGE savings. The ethernet has always cooperated with my various routers and computers no problem. This new modem with built in router has ethernet along with a USB option which of course requires alot more cofiguration to get going. Not to mention the internal router is screwing with mine. I went through 4 Verizon tech support people yesterday before one would admit it had a router which I was locked out of. I`m working on getting just the plain modem out of them that I wanted in the first place. Speed is good for me so far in case anyone was wondering.

As Cleo stated Ethernet makes it much easier to add other computers and of course you ARE going to add a firewall/router between your modem and your computer aren't you? If you want people trying to connect to your computer all day long then don't bother.

Speed makes no difference here because the bottle neck will be your cable.

For what it is worth, I would also go with Ethernet

Ethernet it is :)

Currently logged on on the new machine :D

when I first got cable my first bought pc didnt have a Ethernet card and the cable guy had a coupler to hook it up usb and it needed drivers for that setup, In IMO the speed was just as fast..

I did later get a card, and then built my first pc and then got a wired router as wireless was really expensive then, then 5 months ago I got a good deal on a new toshiba laptop and there was such a good sale on linksys wireless routers that I got one and love it... going wireless the speed is a little slower but my main 2 pc's and my wifes is hard wired.. plus you cant beat going anywhere in your house or close by outside and be on the net...

go with ethernet, maybe a lil more complex to setup in some cases but it has its own AC outlet, plus whatever problem you have you just turn it off, with the usb you have to reset the computer etc etc... only drawback in my opinion, is that if you want to share internet over 2 computers and using an ethernet modem, you'll need 2 ethernet cards in the computer that does the server, whereas if you have a usb modem, you'll just need one...ofcourse it depends what you wanna do... just some suggestions

gabrio

No question ethernet. It was designed for network data transmission, the USB cable was not.

---art

I used ethernet because that's the wire that came with my modem. |roses|

On a good day cable modem is about 30mb/s so there is plenty of headroom even at 10/100.

Ethernet all the way, USB just asks for unedded things like drivers installs, uses more performance,etc.. :)