I have read a ton of things on the Cable vs. DSL topic. Most of them are a theoretical account of how it will work. I know theory is often times not as accurate as we would hope, so i am trying to get real world info. Which is actually better, or does it matter. The application I use it mostly for is gaming. I realize web surfing will be about the same on both. Any and all info is appreciated.
Internet Speeds and Types of Connections
- Thread starter daveborg98
- Start date
I believe DSL will get you slightly lower latencies, while cable generally has a higher throughput, but don't take my word for it. Try broadbandreports.com (or something like it) and look up the providers in your area.
I recently moved from Cable to DSL(pro service..up to 3 meg). Now...we all know without lecturing for the world of presumed pro's on AT the Cable is faster. But...the truth be known is that very few us hardly ever recognize the difference in Cable vs. DSL if you get the upgraded DSL service. I online game a lot and I can honestly say I can hardly tell the difference. And I save about $15 a month vs Cable service.
IMHO if you have the money get the best cable connection you can. DSL can be had pretty cheap and you hardly notice the difference, as mentioned by deathwalker.
Only problem I ever noticed(just from friends accounts) DSL modems just have issues every once in awhile and can be finicky. Nothing too serious I don't think.
Only problem I ever noticed(just from friends accounts) DSL modems just have issues every once in awhile and can be finicky. Nothing too serious I don't think.
One think I like about DSL is that sometimes you can get static ip address for home account. This is almost non existance with cable.
well in my area the cable trunk feed is over saturated, I got the top teir DSL and it rocks (Communications 3.6 megabits per second Storage 440.6 kilobytes per second 1MB file download 2.3 seconds from htttp://bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/results.php ) I also enjoy what I see as lower pings in Americas Army to all the servers I enjoy.
- Oct 25, 1999
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One other difference:
DSL service throughput is capped at the central office, meaning it is impossible to go over the maximum. Cable throughput is in part capped by the modem firmware, which can be flashed to a third-party's product. When demand in your area is low, you can then get over the maximum. The cable companies do have defences against this, but some can be avoided. I have clever friends who can get 20 Megs down on a good day on cable.
DSL service throughput is capped at the central office, meaning it is impossible to go over the maximum. Cable throughput is in part capped by the modem firmware, which can be flashed to a third-party's product. When demand in your area is low, you can then get over the maximum. The cable companies do have defences against this, but some can be avoided. I have clever friends who can get 20 Megs down on a good day on cable.
Awesome, thanks for the info. The company I work for pays for my internet, so I think I may just stick with Cable since I have it already and I may just upgrade to the faster access.
It depends on your location.
In some places DSL has lower latency (not to be confused with bandwidth) than cable and in others it's vice versa. In my case, when I had DSL I was setup on Interleave mode -- probably due to my distance from telco's Central Office (or remote terminal?), which has greater latency compared to Fastpath. After switching from DSL to cable, I noticed my pings were better/lower.
In some places DSL has lower latency (not to be confused with bandwidth) than cable and in others it's vice versa. In my case, when I had DSL I was setup on Interleave mode -- probably due to my distance from telco's Central Office (or remote terminal?), which has greater latency compared to Fastpath. After switching from DSL to cable, I noticed my pings were better/lower.
It depends on the use.
If you are a heavy user (downloading, streaming) go with cable
Regular browsing, gaming, go with DSL
If you are a heavy user (downloading, streaming) go with cable
Regular browsing, gaming, go with DSL
It all depends on location in my experience. Some places Cable is better and some DSL is better. Like someone earlier posted check broadbandreports.com to see what others like in your area.
Really depends on the location and services provided.
In my city, Montreal, DSL service is total garbage. Its advertised to be as fast as the cable service, but it is just terribly slow for any sort of downloads/file transfers (and it also has bizzare security issues - second you connect to the ISP you get flooded with spyware/adware). I stick to cable - which goes up to 6.5mpbs here.
In my city, Montreal, DSL service is total garbage. Its advertised to be as fast as the cable service, but it is just terribly slow for any sort of downloads/file transfers (and it also has bizzare security issues - second you connect to the ISP you get flooded with spyware/adware). I stick to cable - which goes up to 6.5mpbs here.
Probably doesn't really matter anyways, unless you're [anybody] still on a pre-DOCSIS environment.
DSL is more economy-friendly, businesses will almost never use cable, since it is not as secure as DSL. life for cable will run short in the long run. it's all over the Internet.
Over the course of 2 years, I had 2 IP's, and that was only after switching my firewall off while I was gone for a week. As long as you have a device connected 24/7 (like a router/firewall) holding that IP, you shouldn't change very often.
If by economy-friendly you mean it's the cheapest option (@ $15/month), then yes. However you do get more bandwidth for your buck with cable.
DSL may have been more secure than cable in the past but now it's a moot point. It'll also probably fade away before cable does, it's actually happening right now as telcos replace their copper lines with fiber optics (FiOS). At least at this time, cable still has DOCSIS 3.0 in the works which will increase current speeds to over 100 Mbits/second via channel bonding.
Actually what is all over the internet is how hybrid fiber/coax networks will power the next generation in business and MAN connectivity.
If anything, DSL is not appropriate for business - too slow.
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