Softmodem Snobbery?

[Rhino302]

My softmodem connected at 49,333 constantly, and when I switched to a hardware modem, it did exactly the same. I had an old ACER computer, it connected at 48,000 max, I'm pretty sure it was hardware, but no positive, so softmodems can connect at a decent rate.

[skuz]

My ISP highly recommends any Supra Winmodem for their lines if you have enough power to drive it (~150 MHz).

My Supra always connect at 49333 and is much less sensitive to line noise than both my 56K USR hardware modems (one internal, one external). So I put the Supra in our home server, it's dedicated to drive the modem and crack RC5 of course ! I usually have 5 Kkeys/s less when I'm connected.

[prexaspes]

It is the phone lines, not the modem. I prefer hard modems because they are IRQ configurable and don't eat any clock cycles. Well, you can configure a softmodem's IRQ, but it's a real pain in the N#$%^.

[DanU]

Softmodems are a perfectly acceptable solution for folks that don't mind the loss of CPU power and the increased latency. From my own experience, their throughput is exactly the same as hardware modems. When you're browsing webpages, who cares if it's your CPU or a controller on the modem that does the compute-intensive task of demodulating the data.

However, for the performance user (i.e. gamer), the load on the CPU and the additional latency is unacceptable. It results in fewer frames per second and a slower reaction time. You end up being at a disadvantage against opponents with better connections.

[RobRich]

I'll keep shoving PC-TEL HSP soft modems in my resale boxes, but only USR/3COM externals are allowed on my primary boxes. Just upgraded my USR v.90's to v.92, everything working great! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

As noted above, try playing an online 3D-intensive game while using a soft modem. Then try the same game with a hard modem. You'll quickly reach similar conclusions.

BTW, some soft modems are supported in Linux. I'm using a Lucent Winmodem under Caldera with my notebook.

Robert Richmond

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

I actually saw a Winmodem (HSP) that needed a 500Mhz cpu to run, but you can still buy a 56K hardware and plug it into your 4Mhz XT. The hardware as some additional features, no software running (Mem Usage) right from teh get-go. also compatibility with other OS's such as dos. (For those that still BBS). also for jumpered modems there is no playing with plug and prey. also no need for software to run it. There are many advantages, but if you are strictly Win9x, most of these are irrelevent. I still prefer Hardware but my last 2 got hit by lightning and I got high speed internet so no need to replace.

[Hunston]

I just got to thinking, why are softmodems frowned upon? I mean they may not work with Linux, but what is the difference between a $20 softmodem and a $70 hardware modem (except $50). Surely any CPU can handle 56Kbps without any other tasks being majorly interrupted? Or am I missing something obvious?

And what is the performance difference between a PCI SoftModem and a PCI 'hardware' modem?

[This message has been edited by Hunston (edited 07-16-2001).]

[nunyadam]

every soft modem I have used gave me a slower connection than the hard modem's.(your mileage may vary)
I had a soft modem when i switched from a k6-2 500 to a Duron 650. my connection speed improved somewhat ,but nothing to write home about.(i think the best it ever did was 36,333)
The rockwell i had after that was somwhat better. best it would connect at was 37,333 and that was only once in awhile.
presently I have a Creative modem blaster and it will connect at 38,666-40,000

nunya

[CMonster]

RobRich - beat me to it! ""

[Richard_Cranium72]

I've used all sorts of Modems here in the land of Dial-Up

As far as I can tell, and I do NOT do on-line gaming, there is little if any difference in modems, soft or hardware.

I really liked my Hayes V34 External Serial Modem before my phone lines were upgraded to run at 48,000
THEN, the Hayes did show some improvement in connection speed, but none in stability that I could determine.

My Elsa External Serial Modem showed no improvement over $15.00 Connextant/Rockwell or Intel Software modems.

For the average user(non-gamer), I hold firm that there is not enough gain to spend the extra money for a "Hardware" External modem.

DrVette

[hawkeye177]

On my system I use a elcheapo modem from a emachino and i connect at 53333bps.

[boran_blok]

hehe on my sys I connect using a 3com Ethernet link with hardware LAN/Cable support at speeds of 1MB/sec
when I use a generic nic without hardware lan support I get regular dropouts (running PII 300 here eh, so hardware support matter in such a case) also without the hardware support the speeds mostly drop around 600 to 700 Kbyte Sec, which is a difference of 300 kb sec with hardware support, so for my weak processor it is benefical to have a nic with hardware support, also because with broadband you handle much larger amounts of data ...

(half on topic .. cant really discuss with soft/hardware modem issue .. I used to have a modem but I dunno if it was hard or soft...

[prexaspes]

Hey softies, just wait till you have to duke it out with your BIOS because your modem and video card are using the same IRQ... I prefer jumpered internal hard ones for ISA, external for PCI only systems.

[U-96]

600ms latency on softmodem, 150ms latency on hardmodem. nuff said http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

D/L sppeds are also around 10-15% faster

used to have a regular Rockwell HCF type PCI modem, replaced it with an Olitec external one, and haven't looked back.
In the area that I live, DSL is a looooong way off, so I'm grateful for any boost I can get...

[dddave]

Well here is my take on it. I work for an ISP and everyday its the same calls we take. Why am I getting knocked off the net? and in every case its the same thing its a Lucent,HSP or the worst Conxeant. Granted it is not all the modems fault. These people load up every possible program they can find and the system resources soon dip below 50% after a restart and have several browser windows going. We always take out as many of the start-up progs that we can. I got a pc for my mom the first new one she ever had( shes had a bunch of worn out hand me downs) and it came with a conexant modem so I turned off everything I could using MSCONFIG and after about 15 minutes BUMP off the net she would go. I stuck an external modem on it and she hasnt been bumped 1 time since.
So I guess that makes me a softmodem snob.

[This message has been edited by dddave (edited 07-19-2001).]