ISA or PCI Modem

[BC_1]

Newer PCI modems that actually have onboard hardware are OK, but most of the cheaper ones are still "software" modems and be problematic as well as a CPU hog. I tend to like ISA better. It saves a space for peripherals that can really take advantage of PCI slot. Modems are one type of peripheral that really show no appreciable advantage going to either ISA or PCI. General rule of thumb is go ISA if you're into online gaming, go PCI if you're just into surfing and downloading alot of stuff. Just beware of the WinModem and others like it.

[LED]

Personally I like my external one which sames me one slot and couples as one spearker phone http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[BBA]

I agree!

External modems are the best way to go!

BBA

[reboot]

If you don't like a plastic hunk of extra hardware on your desk, get an internal. PCI is definitely the way to go for speed. Agreeably, "soft" modems can use CPU resources, and are not recommended for anything less than a 233 with 64 meg RAM.
However, if you have a newer, faster system and lots of RAM, a $30 Rockwell based "soft" modem will work really well! Sure beats paying ~$100 and up for any external!
For more on 56k modems, check out www.56k.com (http://www.56k.com) . There you can read all about connectivity, preferences, speed tests, line tests, complaints...etc...
Cheers, Jim

[Susan]

And don't forget, all PCI modems are Winmodems (right now anyway), thus - they only work in a WIN environment. If you have any idea of doing Linux, or BeOS, a PCI Winmodem will not work with them.

I wish it weren't so...but it its.

[BBA]

Just use that PCI winmodem while trying to play Quake online and see how fast your sys reboots!


By ITSELF!

BBA

[MrEd]

Which would be the best other, than going ISDN.

[MrEd]

Thanks all, for the input.

[reboot]

To Susan: No, not all PCI modems are soft modems! Zoom, Diamond, Acer, Askey, Zoltrix, and others all make "hard" PCI modems that are jumper configurable, have their own controller and data pump, and will run on DOS, Linux, Sun OS, Window$, whatever.

To BBA: Get a good init string for your modem, and actually slow down the connection for online gaming. Bringing your modem down to 33.6 or so actually reduces ping times for gaming. Initial connects of ~50k are not necessarily best for gaming, but do work well for the average surfer.

To MrED: I still recommend a good internal PCI modem. My favourite being the "el cheapo" Zoltrix. Why? They have probably the single best online support site of any modem mfg. www.zoltrix.com/modem.htm (http://www.zoltrix.com/modem.htm) .
Not even the esteamed (sic) USR can claim that.

Cheers, Jim
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Who needs a life?, I have internet!

[This message has been edited by reboot (edited 03-25-99).]