DSL vs. Cable

[ryan1]

hey guys,

i'm in the process of deciding whether to get DSL or Cable internet for my new place. they're both priced about the same. I've heard that cable transfer rates fluctuate depending on the number of people using cable in your area. I have cable now, and have noticed a drop in speed over the last while.

I've never actually tried DSL, but i've heard that its transfer rates are more constant compared to the more erratic cable rates.

they both cost about the same, so i'm caught between the two.

any suggestions/advice would be much appreciated,

- ryan

[Mr N8]

What you need to do is look at the tranfer rates that they offer. In my area, Cable is faster than DSL. In other areas the DSL offered is faster than the cable. DSL gives you dedicated bandwidth. With cable you share bandwidth with your "neighborhood." You will get the bandwidth that you are paying for, and sometimes higer depending on the traffic in your area.

[newme]

hi ryan 1 is heres an older thread you might want to read http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?&threadid=40571

Edit - fixed the link - glc

[ryan1]

Mr N8:

Where can I find the transfer rates that they offer? I spoke to a representative of the company that offers DSL and they said that I can expect 128kb/sec. How does that compare to cable? I currently have cable and the transfer rate doesn't come close to that in my area. (however, my new place is in a different city than my house, so the rates could be different)


- ryan

[Texuspete00]

I just moved and my transfers have gone from about 65k/sec, up to 135. Ask some locals the types of speed they are getting. Also I heard there is some sort of latency issue w/DSL that makes cable slightly better than DSL for twitch type reactions in games (tech TV's "a call for help" show discussed this issue, so sorry no link).

[pam123]

Post check your new address at www.dslreports.com . This is the way you find out what works at your new home.
No problem with the other advice but, given the trouble you can have with various providers, why not check to find out what works best in your new neighborhood?

[cobra]

I had a hard time deciding, I always wanted to get dsl, but since I am moving in next wednesday, I opted for Cox cable to install my cable on thursday, instead of waiting weeks for bellsouth dsl.
If cable is not good, I'll get dsl

[Pimpmaster]

All depends where you live. Technically Cable is faster then DSL under PERFECT conditions. I use DSL because my internet is the same fast speed all the time, but if you can't get DSL in your area, you may have to go with cable

[Aeryn]

I have cable and DSL in my area and cable is faster here. I'am getting 1.5 Mbps. Cable is faster in perfect conditions than DSL but, you share the bandwidth with up to 600 other people. So during peak hours there may be a slowdown. However I haven't found the slowdown to be much. I you are going to do a lot of uploading though you should consider DSL because of faster upload rates vs cable. You should check out the following article at PCMAG.com for more information about the differences between cable and DSL. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,24875,00.asp