DSL vs Cable For Gaming: Which One Is Better?

dsl vs cable for gaming
dsl vs cable for gaming

DSL was and still is a very common part of most households. It was a set of technologies invented in the latter half of the 1980s. The Digital Subscriber Line was a huge step forward towards bringing the internet to every household. The service uses telephone lines and DSL routers so that users have access to broadband internet.

DSL utilizes the same lines as wired telephone devices. This means that users will have to use a phone jack and a telephone line in order to connect to the internet. The telephone line is connected to a DSL modem which is used to provide network access to your devices. Digital Subscriber Line is able to provide good speeds. A single line is capable of providing general speeds of 35Mbps but can provide more based on your internet plan.

What is a Cable?

Cable internet is used with the help of coaxial cables. Internet signals enter your house with the help of these cables. They have been around for much longer than DSL. The first coaxial cable was used in 1858, however, it obviously wasn’t to set up an internet connection. People started to use coaxial cables to set up internet connections in the latter half of the 20th century.

There are many different types of cables that can be used to connect to the internet. Ethernet cables are one of these types. Ethernet cables are wires that are used to connect multiple devices to a single network. They can also be used in order to establish a wired connection from a router/modem to a device. As their name suggests, Ethernet cables can be plugged into Ethernet ports.

Cables are most commonly used to connect a router/modem to a computer in order to establish an internet connection. They can also be connected to devices such as laptops, smart TVs and gaming consoles. They were invented in 1973 and were officially available for public use by the 1980s. Ethernet cables became famous almost instantly and have always been known to offer high speeds.

DSL vs Cable for Gaming: Which is better?

Both DSL and cable internet are better than each other in different departments. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. One is better for everyday use while the other is better for streaming. However, both have their advantages when it comes to gaming. Check below to see each service’s advantages and disadvantages for gaming, along with what you should choose.

Speed

A connection with an Ethernet cable is much better as compared to a single Digital Subscriber Line in terms of speed. Cat6 Ethernet cables are capable of providing speeds of up to 10Gbps. This makes them significantly better than DSL.

However, this is of no use unless you have a connection of 1Gbps or higher. Your Ethernet cable can only provide you with speeds as well as your internet plan. On the other hand, forming a DSL bond can greatly improve your speeds regardless of your internet plan. You can combine more and more Digital Subscriber Lines to increase your speeds further and further.

In the end, both services are good for speeds. However, you should definitely choose cables if your internet plan is very good.

Latency

Latency also plays a key role in improving your gaming experience. Low latency is relatively great for gaming as it reduces the chances of lag. Luckily, both services offer low latencies, however, it must be said that DSL is probably better in this department.

Affordability

The affordability of both services varies depending on different factors. For example, you’ll need multiple lines and routers if you want to set up a DSL bond and get great speeds. On the other hand, Cat6 and Cat7 cables are fairly expensive as well. However, it must be said that cables are a more cost-effective option if you plan to form a DSL bond.

Conclusion

In the end, both DSL and Ethernet cables are good options for gaming. It isn’t easy to pick a clear winner between the two. However, if you’re already subscribed to a good internet plan, you should consider cables over DSL as it is much more cost-effective.

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