San Francisco  - A new survey sponsored by computer chip giant Intel has found that about half of US women would prefer to go without sex for two weeks than manage without the internet for the same period of time.

Titled Internet Reliance in Today's Economy, the poll found that 49 per cent of women aged 18 to 34 would opt to forgo sex for two weeks rather than do without the internet, while 52 percent of women ages 35 to 44 made the same choice.

The results among men were less tech-friendly. Among males ages 18 to 34, about 39 per cent selected internet time over sex while just 23 per cent of those between 35 and 44 preferred the internet.

About 65 per cent of the 2,119 respondents believed they could not live without Internet access, compared to 39 per cent who could not go without cable TV, 20 per cent who had to dine out and 18 per cent who had to shop for clothes. Just 10 percent were lost without a gym membership.

Not surprisingly the vast majority of respondents - 91 per cent - said life was better because of the internet. About 68 per cent of respondents touted the money-saving capabilities of the web via online shopping, while 78 per cent said they felt their lives had improved because they were able to keep in touch with friends and family. Meanwhile, 47 per cent said they could manage their finances better with the help of the internet. (dpa)