Modem Help

nshresth

Member
Sep 14, 2002
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Hi,
I need help in choosing a decent modem for my new computer.
I will need an internal modem.
My system is going to be AMD XP 1600+ with 40G and 512 mb.
Range of price is medium..

Thank you.
 

dszd0g

Golden Member
Jun 14, 2000
1,226
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As the FAQ: Are Winmodems good or bad? mentions, I like Lucent LT chipset Winmodems if you are in the cheap to medium price range. I still think a good hardware modem like the US Robotics (3com) V.92 External is better, but for most people it probably isn't worth the difference. I really don't notice any difference in modem performance, the only difference is slightly higher CPU usage and that is minimal. Most external modems are hardware, most internal modems are either controller-based or controller-less where controller-based is better. I haven't seen pure hardware internal modems in a little while. Even the US Robotics internal Performance Pro modem is not entirely hardware (it is controller-based). The Lucent LT chipset is a good controller-based chipset.

I personally hate controller-less modems as they are dependent on the CPU to maintain the connection. On the last few one's I've used if the CPU was sitting at 100% usage the number of modem drops would increase a lot.
 

DonaldC

Senior member
Nov 18, 2001
752
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The Lucent chip-set Win-modem can be had for less that $15.00 @ Pricewatch. Unless you are a gamer it is an exceptional and upgradeable modem.
 

nshresth

Member
Sep 14, 2002
31
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Thank you, but there were many results in pricewatch.com when I searched for Lucent.
Which one shall I pick?
Thank you.
 

dszd0g

Golden Member
Jun 14, 2000
1,226
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I don't see a reason to get that Creative Labs one over a Lucent (Agere is the new name they are using) v.92 modem (Mars3.2 chipset). There is virtually no price difference between the Lucent v.90 modems and the v.92 modems (starts at $8 on pricewatch).
Most of the Lucent v.90 modems on the shelf today are upgradeable to v.92, but there is no way to be sure unless you know what version of the chipset it uses.

For more information about Lucent LT Win Modem drivers:
Where to find the LT Win Modem Driver

I much prefer the Lucent LT chipset over Broadxent's chipsets. If it matters to you the Lucent LT chipset works under Linux, while last time I checked the Broadxent's do not. IMO, what you are paying for in the Creative Labs case is their brand name and I personally think their only decent products are their sound cards and speakers (Cambridge Soundworks which are good but not the best), everything else they make is mid to low end and living off the reputation of their sound cards.