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Firewire 400 vs USB 2.0
- Thread starter bgd
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A little bit of confusion, but it is common, so dont feel bad.
USB 2.0 has a faster max speed than FW 400, but FW is capable of reaching 400mbps and sustaining it, where as USB 2.0 speed will go up and down. It never hurts to have a external that has the capability to do both though.
USB 2.0 has a faster max speed than FW 400, but FW is capable of reaching 400mbps and sustaining it, where as USB 2.0 speed will go up and down. It never hurts to have a external that has the capability to do both though.
USB data has to travel through the CPU, where as FW is totally independent. So for large file transfers, FW is overall faster and puts less load on your computer. 
-Zach
-Zach
faintember is right - a USB 2.0 will hit a max speed of 480Mb/s but cannot sustain it - a FW400 drive can do 400Mb/s but continuously. The USB speed is dependent on the other apps the mobo is running - it doesn't have a dedicated bridge.
For best results get a triple interface drive - FW400, FW800 and USB 2.0 - which should see you right for a while.
For best results get a triple interface drive - FW400, FW800 and USB 2.0 - which should see you right for a while.
As stated, FW is better for sustained transfers....especially around video. Also better when having multipe devices (ie: 3 external hds).
I'm looking at getting a LaCie external, and will likely get triple interface. Nice to have USB in case, but I will be connecting to it via FireWire
I'm looking at getting a LaCie external, and will likely get triple interface. Nice to have USB in case, but I will be connecting to it via FireWire
Just so you know, neither FireWire or USB2 will get anything like their top speeds. You'll be lucky to get 30 or 40Mbps
One more reason firewire would be better; if you want to create a bootable backup on your external drive you need it to be a Firewire connection for it to boot from. Mac's won't boot from USB
I have always had bad luck with USB drives. Even when I was a windows user. I would rather spend a little more and get a FW drive.
I would say that Firewire is more reliable, does anyone agree or disagree with this point? I think USB sucks. It is only good for keyboards, mice and low tech peripherals.
I would say that Firewire is more reliable, does anyone agree or disagree with this point? I think USB sucks. It is only good for keyboards, mice and low tech peripherals.
As far as speed goes, I get 32-34 MBytes/sec over FW400 and 50-52 MBytes/sec over FW800. I've never tested USB 2.0... I should do it sometime. I know it'll be slower than FW400 but I wonder how much slower.
OK that got my curiosity going. I tested using xBench the same drive I ran the FW800 test on. The USB 2.0 was getting 16 MBytes/sec. That is only half the speed of the FW 400 test I ran! I wasn't expecting it to be that much slower!
USB sucks. Not because its 2MB per sec slower than firewire, but because its low-power. Ugh, you don't know how annoying that gets. Damnit! I wish everything was firewire so you can power larger more complicated things other than a mouse.
The only advantage using USB, is the 'theoretical' speeds, but the amount of devices that it can support. But I don't know anyone with 127 hardrives
The only advantage using USB, is the 'theoretical' speeds, but the amount of devices that it can support. But I don't know anyone with 127 hardrives
Use xBench, its a free system benchmark tool.DeSnousa said:
I went back and ran the tests again just to make sure I wasn't getting the numbers wrong. I've got a LaCie Triple Interface drive, so its the exact same drive and the exact same powerbook running the tests. Here were my results:
Read Speeds:
48 MBytes/sec - FW 800
38 MBytes/sec - FW 400
18 MBytes/sec - USB 2.0
Write Speeds:
51 MBytes/sec - FW 800
36 MBytes/sec - FW 400
27 MBytes/sec - USB 2.0
I'll post the full results below if anyone wants to see them. Its 3 pdf files inside 1 zip file.
I like USB for some things. For instance, I run my printer, mouse, and some other stuff into a USB hub. That way all I have to do is unplug one cord when I want to detach all the accessories from my PB and take it to class. But when I'm doing video, I definitely hook up my FW hard drives cause I need as much speed as I can get working off an older G4 processor.blaskillet4 said:USB sucks. Not because its 2MB per sec slower than firewire, but because its low-power. Ugh, you don't know how annoying that gets. Damnit! I wish everything was firewire so you can power larger more complicated things other than a mouse.
The only advantage using USB, is the 'theoretical' speeds, but the amount of devices that it can support. But I don't know anyone with 127 hardrives
Heb1228 said:
I understand, but if I recall, firewire can support ~64 devices connected on to a hub just like USB, the only reason (I'm assuming) that almost everything is USB, is because its extremely popular (intel)... What would be nice is if firewire was used to the extent USB is used. All I miss using USB is the high power that firewire provides (not to mention its faster in the real world).
blaskillet4 said:
Higher power transmission would just end up asking more power from your computer power supply, with higher temperatures inside etc., or hubs with external power supplies.
I use a Canon scanner LiDe80, power-supplied by the USB-hub. It's fine, but I know it reduces my available power for other devices, there's a limit somewhere.
I guess I'm fine with my independent power-supplies for my big USB and all my FW devices...
