best modem for gaming?

[Logik]

hi, i was just wondering if someone could give me some insight as to what is a really good, stable 56k modem that will give me a decent ping without the lag spikes. i was looking into the diamond supramax. it comes in pci and usb, does that make much of a difference? i read that the pci supramax is just as good as the 'gaming modem' by the 3com, and much less expensive. even so, i would like to know if i should get it in usb (that is if there will be better performance). thanks in advance ;)

[DocEvi1]

you need a good quality telephone line, and a good modem, not just a good modem.
Always look for hardware, this should take some of the load of the CPU and other hardware. Stay away from external (even though they have to have their own processor and what not, the serial ports aren't that great compared to PCI) and never ever ever get USB modems unless you absolutely have to!

3com are a very big make (huge) but modems are modems, I have a £14 version which is fantastic, and beats some of the named versions I have used in the past.

Stefan

[$1500-P4 gamer]

USB modems absolutely suck for gameing stay away from any of these! Personally I have the (3com) v.92 USRobotics Sportster external (hardware) modem and it has the best performance of any for $80. No 56ker could be prouder of their modem. Lots of gameing ability there. Also get a phone line noise filter for the modem. This helps alot on the ping issue and latencys. Noise is data to a pc and it must be filtered before the real data can be used. This waistes alot of bandwidth especially on rainy days. Filters are about $10 but well worth it!;)

P.S. Keep your phone line away from strong magnetic forces aswell (like speakers) and flouresent lights as they will induce alot of noise into the line.

[the xenon]

Filters are about $10 but well worth it!
Hey $1500-P4 gamer where can i get one of those filters, never heard of them??
:confused:

[Logik]

could someone tell me if the SupraMax 56K V.92 PCI Modem is a good modem for gaming? if so i would rather go for that than $80 for a us robotics. also, what is the difference between oem and retail modems?

[germanjulian]

filters!!!!! where where where?

[MoxManiac]

I use the Diamond SupraExpress 56k External Serial modem, one of the best out there you can get for 56k. :)

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Originally posted by the xenon

Hey $1500-P4 gamer where can i get one of those filters, never heard of them??
:confused:

Radio-Shack for one though I think they want almost $20 for it. I'll look again, not long ago I found a site on how to make your own. Just parts from radio shack and I think it cost like $5. in parts if you know how to solder. Really also helps alot if you have many other phones on the same line and or answering machines etc.;)

[namrak]

Thanks for the line filter tip P4gamer. I might have to meander over to a local Radio Shack and take a look. As for recommendations of 56k modems I'll toss my dime on the USRobotics 56k v.92 Performance Pro modems. I made my friend pick one up on his computer buying spree and I swear, the connection seems faster. Of course, you still have to take into account phone line quality and it is, still only 56k. However, do not purchase one of Creative Lab's PCI modems. Man, what a hit on system performance when you use one of them. :t

[[gg]Daedalus]

In my opinion PCI modems are definetely the way to go. Stay away from external.

[Bigjakkstaffa]

I kno wits not really answering the "cheap" gaming modem question, but really -- come on outta the dark ages.

Two Words:

CABLE MODEM

Line and modem rental is really cheap - even over here in the UK where everything is of course twice as expensive as it is in the US (lucky gits:mad:). However even a 128kbps for a measly £15 a month really kicks *** game wise, especially older engines such as Halflife. Admittedly 128 may not be great for dloading movies and large proggys etc, but for gaming purposes its pretty neat.

Get in touch with you nearest telecoms company and see if they provide any services.

(BTW 512kbps is also very cheap -- id reccomend that over 128 - although it dont really matter for purely games)

I know that didnt really answer your question - but for the money - take a lookie see.

--Jakk :t

[wizard101uk]

I have no problems with my Creative Modemblaster, I bought this for online gaming as I can't get ADSL where I live.
And I won't get ISDN as it cost nearly as much as ADSL.

And it's one of the best modems I have ever bought.
But the 3com officeconnect K56 Lan modem is one of the best I have ever seen. Not owned one.
I would say 3com as stated and Rockwell, these for me are ones to go for.
:p

[bushmaster]

Toshiba pcx 2200

[MoxManiac]

In my opinion PCI modems are definetely the way to go. Stay away from external.

I'm just curious, why? PCI and USB modems are probably the worst you can get, as even the ones that are hardware-based still use virtual com ports, and use cpu cycles. I'd say external serial and ISA are the way to go, especally external serial. 100% hardware based with no CPU overhead, and 100% reliable connections. :)

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Originally posted by MoxManiac


I'm just curious, why? PCI and USB modems are probably the worst you can get, as even the ones that are hardware-based still use virtual com ports, and use cpu cycles. I'd say external serial and ISA are the way to go, especally external serial. 100% hardware based with no CPU overhead, and 100% reliable connections. :)

Right on! And anyone in disbelief can do one simple thing. Pick up the modem in question-flip over the box and look at the sys requirements. The hardware (like my USR 56k v.92 external) will run on a 486! Now look at a pci whats that say? A Pentium 233! Big dif. in hardware requirements = bigger overhead when gameing. Those pci kill your ping times! A external has its own cpu and 4-8mb ram internal. Mine is 4mb I think but it all is a huge help as all the pc has to do is send and recieve through seriel. All translation is done in the modem. Remeber there is anolog to digital translation or conversion on a modem!

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Originally posted by MoxManiac


I'm just curious, why? PCI and USB modems are probably the worst you can get, as even the ones that are hardware-based still use virtual com ports, and use cpu cycles. I'd say external serial and ISA are the way to go, especally external serial. 100% hardware based with no CPU overhead, and 100% reliable connections. :)

Right on! And anyone in disbelief can do one simple thing. Pick up the modem in question-flip over the box and look at the sys requirements. The hardware (like my USR 56k v.92 external) will run on a 486! Now look at a pci whats that say? A Pentium 233! Big dif. in hardware requirements = bigger overhead when gameing. Those pci kill your ping times! A external has its own cpu and 4-8mb ram internal. Mine is 4mb I think but it all is a huge help as all the pc has to do is send and recieve through seriel. All translation is done in the modem. Remeber there is anolog to digital translation or conversion and vise verse on a modem!

[bob05]

Originally posted by MoxManiac





I'm just curious, why? PCI and USB modems are probably the worst you can get, as even the ones that are hardware-based still use virtual com ports, and use cpu cycles. I'd say external serial and ISA are the way to go, especally external serial. 100% hardware based with no CPU overhead, and 100% reliable connections.

no. i recomend not to get serial but get a PCI V.92./V.44. STAY AWAY FROM SOFT OR WIN MODEMS!!!! They move all the processing to the cpu. Find one with an on-board controller+on-board DSP and get a good brand like Hayes. That's about as good advice i can give you for dial-up.:(


heres a helpful link:
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106636&highlight=modems

here is a seriously good site for information:
http://www.modems.com/

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Originally posted by bob05


no. i recomend not to get serial but get a PCI V.92./V.44. STAY AWAY FROM SOFT OR WIN MODEMS!!!! They move all the processing to the cpu. Find one with an on-board controller+on-board DSP and get a good brand like Hayes. That's about as good advice i can give you for dial-up.:(


heres a helpful link:
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106636&highlight=modems

here is a seriously good site for information:
http://www.modems.com/

Say what?? I'm talking about Hardware modem which is seriel connection (not the printer parallel port) the com 1 or 2 port. Mine is v.92 which only offers modem on hold(make call/recieve) over v.90 just so everyone knows, its nothing to boost the speed at all. External which is hardware, it has its own cpu and ram, thats what it is. As for pci there arent even many pci hardware modems even out there and some were ISA only!