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Whats the best PCI modem ?

hmm when u get a modem make sure to look at how slow of a machine can support it. ie i decided to get this isa modem b/c it could run on a 486. u dont want the stupid modem taking up resources that could be utilized somewhere else.
 
Unless you have a fast cpu, a pci modem will work like suck, unless it's a full hardware processed modem.

If your board is new and it doesn't have isa, then chances are that you have a PIII 500 or better cpu and just about any pci modem should be ok. If you want something that doesn't take alot of resources from the cpu, don't go with a winmodem, go with a full hardware internal modem, which will cost you more than the cheaper winmodem, but it's worth it. Better yet, go with an external modem and you should be cruising(as fast as a modem can go anyway heh) cause they have their own hardware processing.
 
I have a Diamond Supramax in this machine (Duron 900). I chose it because it will run on a 166. Therefore it does not use a bunch of cpu resources. the cheap ones usually require a 266or better. This has been a pretty good modem but if you have an ISA slot available get a ISA modem. AOpen ITU 56 is pretty good.
 
I sent you PM .. The USR 2976 is what you need because it is hardware based and it is very aggressive
at connection and staying connected. I have had these to ping as low as 85ms.
 
The US Robotics Hardmodems are very good (I.E. 2976, 2977, Perfomance Pro, etc).
But if you want a Winmodem go with the ones that use Lucent chipsets, they are very good. They use the least resources, and they are fast. I cant fint now the URL to a review with several Winmodems, but the ones that used the Lucent chipsets were in the top 10 rank.

Raf
 
The Creative "Modem Blaster" that I have in one of my systems is really a "Rockwell" modem (ISA Controller- based) .......... in my experience, it does not equal the performance or quality of the USR's that are hardware based ............... nor are they rated over the USR's in any review I have read!

Best buys are the USR 56K 2976, & 2977 PCI (OEM) Hardware based modems ............... about $50.

If you have a DSL or Cable broadband connection and just need a dial-up modem for back-up, .......... then just get the cheapest one available, .......... I use an external USR (3Com) Sporster 56K 2X that I bought used for $25. and it works great, .......... just as fast as the internal PCI USR Modems' and much easier to connect and use .............
 

first...

ignore all "urban myths" about how bad "winmodems" are etc....EXCEPT you need a modem which also might run under linux, whatever.

I have/had several win(soft) modems..and NONE of them uses higher CPU power than say....0.5 % downloading.....its TOTALLY negelectible and imho no argument for going with an hardware modem instead. (Taskinfo2000 is a very good program showing all threads/tasks and how much CPU time they're taking)

We at work use Lucent portmasters, and in general it's said that modems (if winmodems) based on the Lucent Chipset are best. I cannot confirm that (i did extensive testiing !)....i also have a creative modemblaster di5655 which *for my situation* gives better results than the lucent modem. (Problem is frequent retraining and falling back to lower speeds without going up to higher speed again).

But...this all depends HEAVILY on your specific line conditions, the equipment your ISP uses etc...and this can vary from line to line/person to person.

Right now i use the creative modemblaster (its a ESS chipset based, the cheap one from newegg)....and i get constant good speeds (48000 downspeed, 16800 up) with my bad lines...and no backfalling at like 28800 bps as with the lucent winmodem.

I also heard that Zoom modems should be very good....but honestly i'd never spend like $80, $90 for a freakin' modem......i think the times for modems are over already anyway and i am using my modem(s) only as temporary solution 'til wireless/dsl is available for me.

It MAY be worth also to get a few of the really cheap winmodems (about $15) and try out which one of these works best....but the problem may be that Joe Average may never see the "real" speeds but only the speed the modem connects to the ISP. If the modem falls back to 28k after a few minutes connect windows still shows that you're connected like at 48000 (or 50000 etc...)....except your ISP (somehow) provides you with the real data (up/downspeeds) from the portmasters in real time. (Almost never).

I have the advantage to see the real speeds because i work at an ISP which makes it easier to determine which modem is better in REAL life... 🙂




 


<< I sent you PM .. The USR 2976 is what you need because it is hardware based and it is very aggressive
at connection and staying connected. I have had these to ping as low as 85ms. >>



i dont think that ping times have ANYTHING to do with modem speeds/quality, really....

Re: Ressources.....

Eg. I have an Xp1800@XP2000 and i think most people here have plenty of RAM, too. (128MB, 256MB, 512MB ...)

None of my winmodes (despites their reputation) use ANY "big" ressources....if you call "0.5%" (or less) processor usage at full speed download "high cpu usage". There are much more unnecessery tasks and stuff running which use far more "ressources" (cpu/memory/whatever) then any of those modems....i think even the mousepointer turning to an hourglass or typing on the keyboard would use more ressources than a winmodem 🙂

(And i still run like 95% idle..enough for running SETI in the background whatever 🙂 I dont know how many people are still runing 486 or P120 etc...maybe then its an argument....but totally neglectible with modern systems/cpus....



 
I had a USR 56k winmodem and it worked worse than my old isa 33.6K cheap, no name modem. It only got 28.8K no matter what I did to it cause it was cpu limited. That's why I stated that it takes alot of processing from most cpus lower than a P3 500 just to function to speeds of specs. If you have more than that for a system, then try a winmodem but I'm not a fan of them just to save a few bucks.
 
For good info on Winmodems go to FAQ section here .

I actually have both a hardware modem(Diamond SupraExpress 56K i V Pro) and Winmodem(Elsa 56K Microlink HCF ) and to be honest no difference for me in gaming or usage even connection speed are the same,I know the HCF models have a onboard DSP to take the load of the CPU while the HSF versions are all software based.

My connection speed is always 48k or 49.2k, you have to remember
the quality of the phone line and your ISP also effect the connection rate etc.
 
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