Modem question

[StanTheMan]

What's the difference between winmodem, software modem, and hardware modem (internal)?
if you have to rank them, which one is the best, and which one is the worst? I mean in general, without referring to any specific brand.

 

[snipaaus]

To my understanding of the matter at least, a WinModem is a PCI modem that uses only Software Compression, whereas other Modems uses Hardware compression. I have tried an external (hardware) and an internal Winmodem, and there seems to be little diffrerence, apart from the ping you get in games, the external one being the better. If you dont play games, a Winmodem is cheaper and is just as good.

 

[VicLavigne]

WinModems and other software modems will take more of your cpu resources to maintain your internet connection. Personally, I use a $15 lucent software modem on my server, and it runs well enuf to suit my needs.

If you have the money, the hardware modems are the way to go. But don't expect to get much improvement from the extra cash you invest.

 

[Dabappa]

You might want to read "Are Winmodems good or bad?" in the "Peripherals" Section of the Anandtech FAQ.
Link

Good Luck,

 

[woodie1]

I have been using LT Winmodems for three years. Got two of them now. Once you learn how to set one up they are great. WinXP Pro even comes with firmware for it that loads during the normal installation of XP. For the money you cannot go wrong. From what I have read there are other software modems that do not work as well.

 

[StanTheMan]

then, what's the difference between rockwell hcf chipset with hsf chipset?
anybody knows?

 

[Mem]

<< then, what's the difference between rockwell hcf chipset with hsf chipset? >>




Yes the HCF modems have a DSP to take most of the load off the cpu,HSF modems are 100% software modems so cpu does everything.

 

[AthlonMan]

Hardware modems, use jumpers to get there resources whille winmodems use software to get there resources.

Hardware modems are a lot more expensive and really only applied to most people in the DOS days due a winmodem can't work in DOS.
But if you use OS's besides windows like UNIX\LINUX, then you would need a hardware modem.


USR Rob's make the best modems.

 

[StanTheMan]

thanks a lot folks, for the all of the replies. they all have been very valuable for me =)

 

[woodie1]

<< Hardware modems, use jumpers to get there resources whille winmodems use software to get there resources.

But if you use OS's besides windows like UNIX\LINUX, then you would need a hardware modem. >>



Untrue, a Lucent Winmodem will work in LINUX.