Cheap modems?

[RLT65]

I was wondering if the cheap ($15) PCI modems work as good as the more expensive name brand ones. I have a USR 56k ISA winmodem that I must replace because I have no ISA slots now.

Thanks

[daniewicz]

I imagine the cheap PCI modems you are referring to are winmodems also. Do yourself a favor and get a true hardware modem. It will cost more but it also will be worth it.

That being said, I would guess that one winmodem would perform as well as the next.

[Mr.Goodbytes]

Well some are quite a bit more picky about line noise than others, the rockwell HSF modems especially. Those with lucent chips in them aren't too bad at all, usually 40 or 50 bucks though.

[sns]

Hi
I use one of the cheapies. (2.5yrs)
I figured for the price I could check the net out for a while and if it was just hype I would throw the thing away.
Anyway I've still got my rockwell pci and it appears to work well . I would like to have the spare cash to check out a hardware modem just to find out how much better they are pc resources wise. Most of my friends have similar modems and the few that have the real deal are too busy playing online games. My system is fairly quick so its relative.
Oh yeah another thing, the Rocky doesnt work in Linux (other posts here will agree) which was a hassle but until mine dies it will stay that way.

[cedar2]

If you can, get a good hardware modem. I'm out in the sticks and have tried a lot of modems. The winmodems can usually manage at least a 19,200 connection and I have a conexant that can regularly hit 28,800. A Lucent hardware modem couldn't do any better, but I had a 33.6 Rockwell hardware that could actually do 33,600. Then I went to an USrobotics external and can do 44,000 consistently with the odd hit at 48,000. In my view the modem is worth the price, especially as it is an ebay purchase where they can be had regularly for 35 or 40 bucks.