usb 2 vs firewire

drifter106

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2004
1,261
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title says it all... looking to create a backup storage harddrive and wanted to know if there is a significant speed difference between the two types of connections...

thanks
 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
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By the numbers, USB 2. But in practice, most people I talk to say Firewire 1 is actually faster. (At least for HD.)

I dont know anybody with a FW 2 HD.

For reference, USB 2.0 is supposed to be 480Mb/sec. Firewire 1 is 400 Mb/sec.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
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Originally posted by: rajkanneganti
firewire kicks usb 2.0 ass in sustained throughput

Correct! And Firewire 800 is awesome!

 

imported_Arden

Junior Member
Nov 17, 2004
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0
Interested in this post. I have a notebook with a PC card for 2.0 usb conncection.

Just wondering if this card could be changed to one with firewire and what about a hookup to an external hard drive?

Our office tech told me usb 2 was faster, obviously he does not really know what you posters do.

Aren't most external hard drives usb hookup ?????

I would appreciate comments, thankyou
 

Rottie

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2002
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Next generation firewire is a speed king (800mbs) and very expensive than USB.
 

aidanjm

Lifer
Aug 9, 2004
12,411
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Originally posted by: Rottie
Next generation firewire is a speed king (800mbs) and very expensive than USB.

Can anyone explain why products with this new Firewire 800 are so expensive? I mean, if you take external 3.5 inch drive enclosures, the Firewire 800 products can be twice the cost of a USB 2/ Firewire 400 product. Why?

 

spherrod

Diamond Member
Mar 21, 2003
3,897
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www.steveherrod.com
Originally posted by: Arden
Interested in this post. I have a notebook with a PC card for 2.0 usb conncection.

Just wondering if this card could be changed to one with firewire and what about a hookup to an external hard drive?

Our office tech told me usb 2 was faster, obviously he does not really know what you posters do.

Aren't most external hard drives usb hookup ?????

I would appreciate comments, thankyou

He may have just meant the basic specs I guess - you can get quite a few hard drives with both USB and Firewire connections
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
Originally posted by: aidanjm
Originally posted by: Rottie
Next generation firewire is a speed king (800mbs) and very expensive than USB.

Can anyone explain why products with this new Firewire 800 are so expensive? I mean, if you take external 3.5 inch drive enclosures, the Firewire 800 products can be twice the cost of a USB 2/ Firewire 400 product. Why?

Because people are willing to pay for speed. We use FW 800 at work, and I know some co-workers who won't transfer on FW or USB2 because its too slow. Personally, I always spend the $5-$10 extra for FW, but not the 50-75% for FW800.