win modems

[raftero]

i was reading some reviews on modems and the conclusion was that with the high power processors in use now that the cpu drain was not enough to warrent the exclusion of winn modems as a choice since they are much less expensive than hardware ones.what do you think?
GOT THIS IN THE WRONG PLACE MOD PLEASE MOVE!!!

[reboot]

Sure, newer faster hardware can compensate for the drain of a winmodem, but it can't compensate for phone line quality, modem quality, or ISP quality (or lack of it).
A hard modem will still give you better ping times, less lag/latency than a winmodem.
If you surf slow, and send email, a winmodem will suffice, if you're a gamer, it simply won't be a happy experience.
As hardware improves, so do the applications running on it. The more demanding an app/game is, the more it taxes the CPU and system resources. A winmodem is still going to require CPU time, and system resources, so unless you have the perfect phone line, and a major abundance of speed/resources to go around, they're still not worth the few $ you might save.

[raftero]

2 questions-i see listed some modems as hardware based,they caim to use the best of software and hardware features,based on intel md563 chip something about using both cpu and hardware.#2 i know the external serial modem is prefered over the usb,i have a supera express 7230 serial but why are the serial better than usb?

[Blakhart]

Because usb has a lot of overhead, needs an irq, and a driver, and maybe even tho it says usb external, the modem is still a software type. This is way bad all added up. I have a pci diamond supra express that is supposedly a winmodem, but it is fast and hardly uses any cpu time. Still, I use an external usr hardware modem on the game rig. Uses the serial port even tho it can use usb. I may try it usb, but to me, usb is something that sounds nice but really does not work.

[raftero]

i've started a new build,kind of a low budget thing with an on hand mb,1.6 intel cpu etc. dont expect it will be used for gaming.the diamond supra express you mentioned is it the mdl.#90570081 listed at newegg for $18?sounds like it would work for me.and thanks to both of you for the information,i'm still learning and ask questions sometime that prob.everyone else knows the answer to.

[Byte 2.0]

Even DSL USB modems seem slow when compared on the same system to an ethernet modem.

USB is exactly what it says, Univerisal Serial Bus, meaning, they will attempt to do any and everything with it. It is jack of all trades and master or none.

Like an Ethernet card it build for one thing, network traffic and they do that job very well.

[Tuf]

A good hard modem is a better solution. But if you have really good phone lines I think the Lucent winmodems are pretty damn good. I personally wouldn't give a nickel for any of the others.

[Confused]

Personal experience. Before giving up and getting cable access 18 months ago, I tried 2 computers, 4 modems and 5 ISP's. 3 were win modems and 1 was the hardware modem of choice on this forum at the time. A Diamond (cain't remember model # now). My best, fastest and most stable connect times werre with a 3COM Win modem and that was at 33K sometimes. Most times it was 26.4 or 28.8. The Diamond hardware never went above 24K.

Back when CPU's were running at 166 or therefore, hardware made a lot of sense. Today running at 1G and above, I believe winmodems are fine. After all what else are you doing when you are on the net.


Chas

[raftero]

i had a winmodem (cheap zoom)on my first build,and wife has a HP with a win modem,they work ok,but since i have used hard modems,but never on comparable computers so i couldn't really compare the two. i have pretty good phone lines,only about 1/4 mile from switch station,so i think i'll try a lucent modem,i can always pull it for a spare if i dont like it and only waste $25 or so.i'm convinced though if i want a really good one its hardware.appreciate the good advice,i'm lilke a kid,got to try it myself.

[ktkendall]

I have a lucent winmodem that I remember putting in my first PC which was a Pentium 75, and I'm still using it and it has always done a good job, fast clean connections.

[skeeter]

Unless your a gamer I doubt if you could tell the differance. I have a US Robotics hard modem on my main computer and a soft Stirling one on my backup computer. My backup computer is a 1.1 gig celeron based p3 and my main one is a 2.4 p4. Both on differant phone lines. Connect time is about the same. If anything the soft modem connects faster(slightly) probably due to the phone line. Download time is very slightly faster on the hard modem but not enough to get excited about. Both are v92 and both are about twice as fast as my external hard modem which I replaced. It was not v90 or v92. Unless your planning to online game save your money.

[Blakhart]

Yeah the diamond is a very nice modem, and you will not see any benefit from going hardware unless you do fps games online.
Wish I had run this external a long time ago. Even tho my pci is the exact same model as the external, my score in games has gone up quite a bit. I suppose that since the game runs the cpu at 100%, getting the modem out of the comp and letting the comp only handle the game has made a diff. Also following glc's rules about the bps speed of the modem and hardware flow control and so on made a diff too.

[raftero]

i have a diamond supra express 7230 external,think i'll get a cheap pci and run a comparison on the same computer when i finish this build just for kicks.i t seems both have their following.i'll let you know how it turns out.i really appreciate your input and the information.where else could you get that many reviews in so short a time?and that by real people who use them.

[glc]

The only PCI modem I will use is a USR 2976 or 2977, both true hardware modems and available for in the $40's. I won't touch Intel chipset modems with a 10 foot pole.

[LawyerRon]

I've always used Lucent Winmodems for basic websurfing and they've always worked just fine for me.

[Blakhart]

After running my external usr modem for some time, it has occured to me that it dl's at 6k rate, rather than the same modem internaly did at 5k. They both connect at 45.2 always. This is a rather nice, albeit small gain. Anything to help on dialup.

[reboot]

For those of you wishing a comparitive review, I've already done one of many popular brands, and it's at http://www.pcmech.com/show/modems/63/

[casey]

Use Lucent Winmodems in all my builds. Depending on the area connection allways 48,000 to 52,000 (PCI hardware modems are almost impossible to find over here & Robotics/3 Com externals are over US$ 100 ! (Winmodems approx US$ 30)