Connecting two PC's

[flipwiz]

Hi,

I want to connect two computers together to play games like UT, Quake etc across. How can I do this? Is USB to USB the way forward? I guess I am looking for the cheapest easiest solution (aren't we all?!)

Thanks in advance

Harry

[Grimm]

2 NIC cards (also known as network cards) and an x-over cable would be an easy cheap solution. It also gives you the option of expanding to more computers later by using a hub (and regular cables) or a multiport cable router if you want a DSL/Cable connection.
The cards should run you 25-30 bucks apeice and the cable 5 to 10 (less if you have a Fry's near by.
Avoid the cheap generic NICs. Linksys or Netgear should do fine. I use more expensive cards (IBM or 3Com) in my home LAN, but that is just because I am picky and want the fastest possible connection. But with only two computers, cheaper cards should be just as fast (cheap cards generate random noise that interferes with the cards as it has to be received and recognised as garbage then discarded, it eats a little bandwidth, not much).

[joe52985]

try this ive heard its been done im about to do it also, connect them thru firewire get a 6 pin to 6 pin cable and the firewire cards dont cost must more than network cards and im sure they are faster 400 mbps compated to 100 or 10, ill tell you how everything works out with my firewire netowrking thinggy ma bob

[Mezpin]

Originally posted by joe52985
try this ive heard its been done im about to do it also, connect them thru firewire get a 6 pin to 6 pin cable and the firewire cards dont cost must more than network cards and im sure they are faster 400 mbps compated to 100 or 10, ill tell you how everything works out with my firewire netowrking thinggy ma bob
Firewire isn't really a networking technology. You can copy files from one computer to another, but that's it. You need some specialized networking software to run TCP/IP over Firewire cables. And then you have virtually no expandability. 2 computers is really it. Ethernet is a lot more versatile and it's still cheaper.

Oh yeah, USB isn't a viable networking technology either. With a theoretical maximum of 12Mbps between all your USB devices, it's pretty slow. Not to mention you need specialized software even to share files, much less network computers. Even one step below Firewire.

Mezpin

[nhbilly]

even cheaper solution is thru the serial or paralle port.
W2K and WIn98 supports it. Slow but it is a connection.

[Scojo]

The 2 NIC card way is the best idea. You can sometimes get a Linksys or Netgear NIC card for under $20 on sale or with a rebate. I think my Linksys cards were $12 each and the Netgear card was right around $20, all on sale. Setting it up this way allows you to expand cheaply and get a 100mbps connection. Let us know if you get stuck or need help.

Scojo

[Bandito]

You would not want to use serial ports to play games between 2 pc's though--let alone transfer files.

For the price of 2 nic's and a crossover cable you will be in business, that is once you set up the network.

Don't settle for anything less than the 2 10BaseT nic's if you plan on having a playable game...

[clutchy]

yeah so you need a special cross over cable? or is it just a regular ethernet cable? I'm just curious becuase i thought in order to have 2 computers connected together you needed a hub? guess not oh well, thx.

[coleslaw]

you can actually build your own cross-over cable by taking apart a normal CAT-5 cable, rearranging some wires, and then re-crimping it. If you have a crimper available, it's the cheaper way to go.