Transfering files between PC's via ethernet/cat5 cable?
 

If you had two PC's, and coupled them together via LAN ports using cat5/ethernet cable, could you transfer files between them, and how fast would the transfer be?

IE, to send a 700mb AVI file from my PC to an external HDD connected by USB2 takes about 3 mins - would it be faster if sent to another PC via ethernet cable?

errmmmm
 

you would need a cross over cable if you was running them direct, transfer speed would depend which network cards you have most standard ones are 100mbs

Re: Transfering files between PC's via ethernet/cat5 cable?
 

Yes it would be faster expecially with gigabit ethernet and the appropiate high speed cabling, however 3 minutes is not a long time to wait, use this a break from the pc and have a cuppa :top:

Unseen - the USB2 is fine for transferring from the PC to the external HDD enclosure, but I am thinking when I move I might have a PC upstairs and one downstairs, so rather than trans from one to the external HDD, then from external HDD to the other PC, I was thinking linking the two PC's together - and I guess that USB cable across that sort of length isn't the best idea.... ;) Don't know if you can even connect two PC's together via USB cable for file transfer.....

NRG - I though I would probably need cross over cable (something about the wires being linked to different pins?)

Each PC would have a 10/100 LAN card in them (one is a built in port and the other is a PCI card)

yes you can usb network two pc's togeather... ethernet will always be faster through

the crossover cable works as follows
http://www.dataq.com/images/support/...ble_pinout.gif

yup
 

just how unseenmenace has put, you can go through the mains of you house instead of having cables every where http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...=46494&doy=5m2 with one of these they work well bit better than wireless