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Thread: Firewire or USB2

  1. #1
    Drop it like it's hot Howard's Avatar
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    Firewire or USB2

    Which would be better for an external drive?
    In terms of transfer speeds, CPU usage, error rates, etc?

    Discuss
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  2. #2
    Marmoset Warrior
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    IMHO, Firewire.
    Highspeed USB = 480Mbp/s
    Firewire = 400Mbp/s

    Firewire reaches its top speed, USB2 doesn't.
    [Edit: Reaches it more often than USB2 does]

    I got a LaCie 120gb External HDD, runs perfectly backing up from my server.
    I'd say go for Firewire
    Last edited by r1zeek; 19-08-2004 at 04:37 PM.

  3. #3
    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    IIRC, USB requires a confirmation after each packet of data sent, whereas firewire will just whack the data accross.

    My enclosure supports USB 2.0 and Firewire, I choose to use Firewire with it.

    However, if you don't have a firewire interface on the computer you're using it on, or will be using the drive in a lot of computers, then a USB interface may be a wiser choice.
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    I too have a drive with both USB2 and Firewire. I'd echo the comments above: use firewire when you have access to it, use USB as a nice 'fall back' when you don't.

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  5. #5
    Homestarr Mod
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    defo firewire uses less resources. unless u want to get total portability and to use on older machines with only usb.

  6. #6
    Drop it like it's hot Howard's Avatar
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    Firewire it is then.

    It'll only be used on my machine for backup.
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    PC: Asus P5B | Core2duo 2.13GHz | 2GB DDR2 PC6400 | Inno3d iChill 7900GS | Auzentech X-Plosion 7.1 | 250GB | 500GB | NEC DVDRW | Dual AG Neovo 19"
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