BS or not: Firewire is faster than USB 2.0?

[RHMMMM]

Last time I checked, USB 2.0 was 480mbps and Firewire was 400mbps.

On one of my other forums there are people claiming that real-life throughput is faster on Firewire than USB 2.0.

Did I miss something?

Are they right or are they on crack?

[Joshua]

According to specs, USB 2.0 is faster than firewire. The actual speed would definitely depend on what hardware your are connecting and what you're doing with it.

[ribitch]

usb is more cpu dependant than firewire, which kills the throughput over a period of time. firewire was designed so it doesnt require a cpu to function, therefore doesnt rely on cpu as heavily as usb. firewire 400 is slower in bursts, but has tested faster in sustained speeds when compared to usb2. firewire 800 is the fastest of the three.

[spigidygak]

yep as ribitch noted, less cpu intensive firewire be. And so far the usb 2.0 drives suposedly haven't been up to par to what they "should" be in speed. But it doesn't matter 'cause firewire will be faster.

[RHMMMM]

Gotcha, thanks for the replies guys!

[Cheesypuff]

I thought it really depended on the hardware your connecting it to. Usually, if it's like connected to a harddrive, it is better to go firewire becuase there is a lot of 2 ways info processing. But if it's something like a cd-rw drive, go usb 2.0 becuase on one way passing! This is from what I understand

[mcs328]

Hmmm...interesting. I've been looking at getting HDD enclosure for a while and can't decide if I just want USB2.0 or a combo with firewire or just firewire. CompUSA is selling a 3port firewire PCI card for 20 bucks after an Instant Rebate...nothing to mail in. So I was very tempted to buy it since I don't have a firewire connection. Although I don't have any firewire devices also/yet. I do have 4 port USB2.0 card however.

What to do what to do...

[kimchicowboy]

would people recommend firewire or USB2.0 for CD-RW and connecting it to a laptop?

[djradam]

Originally posted by mcs328
Hmmm...interesting. I've been looking at getting HDD enclosure for a while and can't decide if I just want USB2.0 or a combo with firewire or just firewire. CompUSA is selling a 3port firewire PCI card for 20 bucks after an Instant Rebate...nothing to mail in. So I was very tempted to buy it since I don't have a firewire connection. Although I don't have any firewire devices also/yet. I do have 4 port USB2.0 card however.

What to do what to do...

i have a firewire HDD enclosure ... it would be nice to have the combo I think because let's say you save stuff onto the HDD, you can transfer it to any computer pretty much because most computers have USB.

[Leon]

I agree with djradam. Just get the combo drive and you will never have to worry about interfaces. Also, you will never have buyer's remorse thinking if you should have bought the other interface instead.

[Joshua]

These days, I would tell you to go with USB or combo. What good does an external drive with Firewire do you if you can't connect it to many PC's? As you know, 99% of machines these days have some sort of USB, but not too many come with Firewire.