1. 56K = 56,000 bits per second = 7000 bytes per second = 7 kilobytes per second. Also keep in mind that 56K modems often only connect at 48K, and still, through packet loss and whatnot, don't download at full speed (which would be 6 KB/s at 48Kbps)
DruBoBack In BeigeJoin Date: 2002-02-06Member: 172Members, NS1 Playtester
<!--QuoteBegin--DeAtH_tO_gOrDoN+May 19 2003, 12:13 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DeAtH_tO_gOrDoN @ May 19 2003, 12:13 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->>What kind of video card can I get for $150? Is it good? Should I spend more?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Geforce4 Ti4800 would be my bet. It's not quite as cool as the current Radeon and Geforce offerings, but it's flexible, reliable, and has the AGP 8x bandwidth you'd need for new games like Doom 3.
The other option would be the ATI Radeon 9600 Pro, which kicks the proverbial butt of the Ti4800 but comes at $50-$100 more.
and now, your moment of zen:
<!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+May 35 1992, 12:65 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ May 35 1992, 12:65 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I am a nipplemonster <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin--DeAtH_tO_gOrDoN+May 18 2003, 06:13 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DeAtH_tO_gOrDoN @ May 18 2003, 06:13 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->>Ok I have a 56k. I go to download a file and I only download at 4k a second. Why?
>What kind of video card can I get for $150? Is it good? Should I spend more?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Ok DTG, this is how it works:
I think you're confusing two different notations there in your example.
When people refer to a 56K modem, they're referring to a 56 Kilobits per second modem, shortened to 56Kbps, or just 56K.
When your Internet Browser shows that you are downloading at 4K per second, it is talking about 4 Kilo*bytes* per second.
There are 8 bits in a byte, so if you're 56Kilobit modem was operation at maximum efficiency (They usually don't even get close to this, by the way), you'd be getting approximately 56000 bits per second. Divide that by 8 to get 7 kilobytes per second.
You said that you're getting 4kilobytes a second, so approximately 4000 bits multiplied by 8 is 32000 bits per second, which means you're getting better than 50% efficiency.
A lot of this depends on the quality of the phone lines you're using. Plus, about the best I've ever seen on a modem is about 4.5 kilobytes per second on a good day, so I'd say you're doing pretty well at that transfer rate. Unless of course you meant 4 kilobits per second, in which case your modem needs to be melted down, or you need to replace the cans and string in your neighborhood with telephone wire.
Cable is faster, but is slowed down if there are a lot of people on your line. DSL is a consistant speed, but slower then Cable's possible speed.
I've got Cable, and am the only person on the line. I get 2000kbps down, and 500 up according to DSLReports. It's really sweet.
You'd have to call your local providers to see which one is cheaper. Some cable providers give you discounts if you already have cable TV. And me, when I split my cable into the TV, I get cable for my TV in this room.
Comments
Geforce4 Ti4800 would be my bet. It's not quite as cool as the current Radeon and Geforce offerings, but it's flexible, reliable, and has the AGP 8x bandwidth you'd need for new games like Doom 3.
The other option would be the ATI Radeon 9600 Pro, which kicks the proverbial butt of the Ti4800 but comes at $50-$100 more.
and now, your moment of zen:
<!--QuoteBegin--MonsieurEvil+May 35 1992, 12:65 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MonsieurEvil @ May 35 1992, 12:65 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I am a nipplemonster <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
>What kind of video card can I get for $150? Is it good? Should I spend more?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ok DTG, this is how it works:
I think you're confusing two different notations there in your example.
When people refer to a 56K modem, they're referring to a 56 Kilobits per second modem, shortened to 56Kbps, or just 56K.
When your Internet Browser shows that you are downloading at 4K per second, it is talking about 4 Kilo*bytes* per second.
There are 8 bits in a byte, so if you're 56Kilobit modem was operation at maximum efficiency (They usually don't even get close to this, by the way), you'd be getting approximately 56000 bits per second. Divide that by 8 to get 7 kilobytes per second.
You said that you're getting 4kilobytes a second, so approximately 4000 bits multiplied by 8 is 32000 bits per second, which means you're getting better than 50% efficiency.
A lot of this depends on the quality of the phone lines you're using. Plus, about the best I've ever seen on a modem is about 4.5 kilobytes per second on a good day, so I'd say you're doing pretty well at that transfer rate. Unless of course you meant 4 kilobits per second, in which case your modem needs to be melted down, or you need to replace the cans and string in your neighborhood with telephone wire.
I hope this helps...
Twilight
now i have cable.
download bliss...
here, mmmm....cable
@ school: Cable
Damn I'm good.
The other solution is getting cable or DSL
Cable is faster, but is slowed down if there are a lot of people on your line.
DSL is a consistant speed, but slower then Cable's possible speed.
I've got Cable, and am the only person on the line. I get 2000kbps down, and 500 up according to DSLReports. It's really sweet.
You'd have to call your local providers to see which one is cheaper. Some cable providers give you discounts if you already have cable TV. And me, when I split my cable into the TV, I get cable for my TV in this room.
They are capable of similar speeds, but the way DSL works make it ping a little higher (it waits a little before actually sending the data).
Cable slows down if a lot of people are using the line in your area, and DSL slows down the further away you get from the relay thing.