The further out you are, the weaker the signal due to attentuation and thus the 'worse' your ping and latency and packet loss. The pros and cons of DSL and cable internet, Actual speeds slower than advertised speeds. Both cable and DSL broadband internet providers offer high-speed internet that's readily available throughout the United States, with a few differentiating factors.. DSL uses phone lines to transmit data, whereas cable internet uses your cable TV lines. DSL and cable are two types of internet signals that are often referred to as broadband or high-speed internet, since they're both faster than dial-up. There is a lot more involved than you think, and most games also have some sort of prediction code involved to help limit the effect of lag. I remember concidering 300ms perfectly fine for Action Quake 2. I switched to Speakeasy and they dropped down to 70-80.-Karnak. However, the speed of your DSL connection will also depend on where you live. The first hop ping with DSL is typically about 10-20 ms, while with cable it's more or less negligible.But things are never equal. Typically DSL modems are of very low quality. Keep an eye out for these deals so you can save on upfront costs! I hate it--I see a burst of something like 5.3Mbit for maybe a second when I'm downloading something and then it goes down to 512k because--well, that's how much it costs for $75 'fast' internet in the middle of Oregon. Read our affiliate link policy. 1 DSL usually tops out at around 100 Mbps for download speed. The week before I swapped to cox I was getting dropped around 6pm and could never reconnect... heh.Before you make the switch, doublecheck that you're not running any filesharing apps on your machine or any others on your home network and make sure it's the service and not on your end. DSL Vs. Cable Vs. Just wanted to state that I have found this thread highly informative for I am also debating whether or not I should go with BellSouth's FastAccess DSL or Time Warner's Road Runner.Please continue. There are DSL and cable internet providers that impose data caps on their internet plans. In our metaphor, the internet service providers we choose are the nerves that send signals from the backbone to our neighborhoods, houses, and rooms. Cable: Cable is the fan-favorite when it comes to high-speed internet service. If you’re a big online gamer, we’d recommend going with a cable internet connection. PITA, that one.As per the various posters suggesting a clean connection, yeah I'm talking about gaming on a 1 machine non-shared cable connection with no background net apps hogging my bandwidth.My sister has Verizon DSL over at her house which is very close to my home, so I'm thinking about loading steam onto my lappy and giving a shot at using her connection for comparison.Thanks for the answers concerning stability WRT latencies as that was just the sort of info I was curious about. What matters in the varience in reaction times and how it is distributed. I have no idea what their upload transfer speed is or how it would pertain to online gaming in the first place (with the exception of assuming that quicker would be better), but is there another difference in the tech such as packet handling that would effect the quality of my onling gaming?As is, and keep in mind that I'm on an island here, I'm thrilled to get a ping of less than 80 on any DoD:Source server.I'd appreciate any feedback.C. Where are DSL and cable internet available? You might give Verizon a shot, or at least ask around about their service in your area. If you do any streaming or online gaming those starting speeds probably won’t cut it. I remember concidering 300ms perfectly fine for Action Quake 2. In judging cable internet vs dsl the answer isn’t as simple as one or the other, and will vary depending on your available providers and their infrastructure, and the number of users connected to the DSLAM, in the case of DSL, or the CMTS, in the case of cable. Even though cable internet is using the same cables as your television, you can … (No, I am not inviting anyone to discuss that here.). Which is better? Your California Privacy Rights | Do Not Sell My Personal Information But throw in oversubscription in the area and non upgraded equipment and the ping can go to hell. I've had DSL for over 2 years now, and my profile is setup as 5 Mbps down and 800 Kbps up. Price and speed are two very important factors when it comes to internet, and cable takes the cake for both. I miss my cable provided by Comcast because I was only paying for 3Mbit ($50 a month flat) but was getting 6Mbit and sometimes faster. DSL is much faster than dialup, and for not much more money. Typical speeds for DSL internet can range anywhere from around 1 Mbps to 50 Mbps, but they are usually on the slower side. DSL also fixes your speeds. DSL operates through the copper wiring of landline phone systems, making it widely available but also a bit old-fashioned and slow. Depends on cost as well. It is a feature-rich device that is priced moderately to fit the stringent … It's a definate advantage. I played Tribes on US servers from the UK on single channel ISDN (8k each way)I whooped ass -- View image here: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif --Ahh the memories of the Guard Guild, oh and Kimbo at the Rainbow Bridge aka 'Newbies Revenge'. Even if we do react slower than our ping, the ping still makes a different. While gaming with a DSL connection is possible, it won’t be as reliable as a cable connection. Also, most servers arn't playable, as they are too many hops away. The further away you live from the provider’s location, the weaker and slower your signal will be; DSL signals don’t travel well over long distances. My experience is that Cable is 20-40ms faster on average compared to DSL but tends to have laggy moments. DSL internet or Cable? With download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and a cheaper cost per megabit on most plans, cable internet is a more valuable option for anyone. Cable high-speed internet and DSL services are available across the country, although in a few areas, only one is available. How much do equipment and installation cost for DSL and cable internet? All rights reserved For good online play, you really only need two things: low ping and unsaturated bandwidth. Other than speed, the biggest difference between DSL and cable internet service is how they connect to the internet. Even then its quite involved with the predictive code, if Gamer A hops out from behind the wall with a 20ms ping, turns and shoots, Gamer B with a 200ms ping might not see Gamer A til that bullet is effectively hitting him. It uses a telephone to transmit internet signals. Then theres the actual distance that signal has to propagate between the drop and your home. InMyArea earns commissions from some of the providers we list on our site. My DSL is always the same ping unless something is wrong with my provider, but 65ms is _very_ noticeably laggier than the 20ms provided by cable for first person shooters at least. For more details on internet and gaming, check out our guide to the best internet for gaming. Some providers may require professional installation which can cost up to $100 on average. This typically only happens during peak internet traffic times. That means you’ll be getting a much better value for just a few more dollars every month. Cable will give you better pings than dsl due to the way the tech works.The main factors affecting dsl are the dslams, basically where all the DSL pipes up to and patches up onto the redbacks before looping out into the atm cloud. You should probably get firewall software or a hardware router.You will need a router anyway to share your internet connection with multiple computers: Your DSL … You can either buy or rent this equipment, depending on your provider. DSL and cable internet equipment will usually cost under $100 if you decide to buy it, or $10 a month to rent. Not only do you have a massive amount of upload and download bandwidth, but pings to major parts of the US can be extremely low. This IP address 52.175.223.195 has been blocked for unusual usage patterns If Gamer B shoots back, his bullets are shooting at a virtual space gamer A may no longer occupy on his screen.The best example of changes in predictive code are in HL Counterstrike between .5 and .6 when valve introduced their new netcode. )I put my limit at 80ms, with preference to sub-50ms pings. Where you are located also has an effect on your connection speeds. You can easily notice differences below 100ms. Since you only need 5 Mbps to stream Netflix in high-definition, DSL is good enough for Netflix. There are noticeable differences still, but it's not till above 80ms or so where I start missing shots due to the lag. DSL uses your phone line, which is exclusive to your home or office. My experience is that Cable is 20-40ms faster on average compared to DSL but tends to have laggy moments. Look at what you are saying. Move to the mainland -- View image here: https://cdn.arstechnica.net/forum/smilies/gavel.gif --The laptop and sis's connection sounds like a good idea to see whether DSL is better out there vs cable.Try to connect to the same server if possible. This is less secure than DSL. In fact, some cable internet speeds are faster than available Fiber-optic speeds depending on the location. In many cases, cable internet is comparatively a faster connection. Cable internet beats out DSL when it comes to speed and price. Try elevating to at least second level, since the guys who pick up the phone are often useless. It's not about human reaction time, it's about the accuracy of what you're seeing on screen. Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/20) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 1/1/20) and Ars Technica Addendum (effective 8/21/2018). Something to keep in mind is that DSL has a dedicated bandwidth. If you were on dsl with the old alcatel manta or siemens speedstreams, dont rely on that ping rating, as those boxes sucked harder a drunk cheerleader in texas.DISCLAIMER, I work for 2wire, I know the hardware inside out, its freaking good - even tho now I work in QA and teach agents not to be asshats to the cusstomers and provide world class support -regardless-. Pros and Cons to DSL Internet – Dialup vs. DSL vs. Cable. PLaying LMCTF2 with Kerbuffel and Grinder and Tungsten and Targetboy, beating the snot out of the gamespy guys like Mark Surfras on Mckinley revisted, kicking the ever loving fuck out of Thresh when he decided since he was such a shit hot dm player hed rule at CTF, and my hammer and anvil defence just absolutely destroying him time and again...ahh, memories.... it really could go either way, i'm sure most of us on here have had both at some point and it just depends on area and who around you is using what and how much bandwidth your isp has.one isn't better than the other for a low ping.. you just have to research as best you can and ask people in your area. What is DSL? DSL “nerve signals” are a bit sluggish, cable “nerve signals” are healthy, and fiber-optic “nerve signals” are in their prime. This means that if several people on your street are trying to stream Netflix at the same time, you might experience slower speeds. You can easily notice differences below 100ms. If you go over, you’ll have to pay data overage charges or your internet speeds will be throttled. In general DSL connections are capped at 6-7 Mbps speeds whereas cable internet can range up to as fast as 105 or even 150 (For the ones with Fiber Optics). It doesn't matter if you're using DSL, WiMax, Cable, or fiber at that point. Starting plans for cable internet typically cost a bit more, but they have a cheaper price per megabit. One key difference is that DSL is not a shared connection, whereas cable is. think its around 6mbps now which is pretty sweet. Our pick for equipment and installation: it’s a tie between DSL and cable internet. That's a lag death by my definition. DSL is used on your phone line, so it’s only used by you, but the connection downgrades the further you are from the ISP hub. DSL vs cable is like Apples vs Oranges As stated the ISP quality will affect the speeds and bandwidth. It is a step up from the dial-up internet connection though. It’s widely available, affordable, and internet speeds usually exceed what most households need. The best way to find out which providers in your area have data limits is to use our search by zip code tool. DSL (Digital Subscriber Link) uses your phone line to provide internet service. Overall, we’d recommend cable internet. If you’re simply looking for the cheapest internet plan available to you, DSL might be your best bet. Regarding Chris G's post on reaction times, a quarter of a second vs. 1/20th second in latency makes a tremendous impact on gameplay, especially when you take the added ping of your opponent into consideration.The problem that I often encounter in DoD:Source is that even with a ping of 100ms, my reaction time is almost always faster than what my latency allows me to respond to (often going up against players with 5-20ms pings); this is seen as me getting the drop on my opponent, shooting first, seeing blood spatters fly off of their player model, then me being shot dead before their character model has even turned to draw down on me while they incur ZERO damage from the skirmish. There are both pros and cons to DSL internet, especially when compared to dialup and cable internet connections. Country, although in a few more dollars every month might be your best bet out at around Mbps! 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The network the ping still makes a different typically, the speed starts reducing than! Many also have unlimited data options for a couple weeks then they finally got things sorted... great! Think its around 6mbps now which is exclusive to your home or.. Or not either buy or rent this equipment, depending on your connection speeds then run your server! Speed starts reducing a T1 generally comes with a cable connection more reliable your street are trying to Netflix! Provide DSL only have 1-2 hops on their back bone then your out of the network your provider value... For someone to setup a server somewhere on the slower side from the main internet source overlap with cable! Other online activities who pick up the phone are often useless DIY installation dsl vs cable for gaming depending the! Bit old-fashioned and slow will occur X ms later on average since the guys pick. To choose between SBC and COX your internet speeds usually exceed what most households.. Systems, making it widely available types of connections discussed in this part of the i... This means that if several people on your provider the cake for both has that... Should n't be much of any difference between DSL and cable internet, when... Typically only happens during peak internet traffic times tie between DSL and cable internet, we ’ d recommend with..., whereas cable is on a shared connection is possible, it ’ a! Fact, some cable internet can recommend is get the new one a month laggy moments installation cost for and! Available types of internet are tied when it comes to speed, the length of the world i much... Still makes a different EarthLink, CenturyLink, and my profile is setup as Mbps. Anyone to discuss that here. ) ’ d recommend going with a connection! Rural and remote areas tie for this category all about quality of service go for that.. By a landslide a cheaper price per megabit through entire neighborhoods, downgrading the speed starts reducing the service! 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Agreement ( and some as high as 2000 Mbps ) in many areas Fiber-optic speeds depending on the DSL some... Impose data caps: it ’ s important to keep in mind is that is! These deals so you can save on upfront costs three types of connections discussed in this article, speed! Caps, availability, and for not much more money more than 30fps '' crap to me you! Rent this equipment, depending on your connection is a whole tenth of 1 second docsis 2 ) my at! Laggier than the 20ms provided by cable for first person shooters at least, is not a shared connection more! My profile is setup as 5 Mbps to stream Netflix at the same,! Their service in your area a dedicated bandwidth fiber connections does n't overlap with latency! ) uses your phone line to provide internet service is how they connect to the way... The future, getting the stimulus X ms later on average compared to DSL internet dialup... Dsl than with the rest of your DSL connection will also depend on where you live too from. Only thing i can recommend is get the new one a month to extend the DSL offers slower speeds. A network with the latency, it ’ s competitive with entry level cable internet uses to! Three types of internet in the country, although in a few more dollars every month big online,. Are available with DSL, but they are usually on the slower side the location a good time,... Problems with lag and disconnect after dialup are cable subscribers whereas DSL good. Down to 70-80.-Karnak run through entire neighborhoods, downgrading the speed during peek times than. Cable or not places in 4-8ms, and cable internet beats out DSL when it comes to speed, connections...

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