What modem should I buy?

[scourge]

I'm currently using some generic 33.6 win modem that connects at 28800 or 26400, but downloads like a dog. <2k/sec sometimes <1k/sec. Anyway, what's the cheapest and/or best 56k hardware modem that I could buy? Is the Diamond SupraMax a hardware modem? and what's up with v90/v34/kflex can someone let me know the differences? I just want a decent modem to download small files(<10meg) and play some Starcraft on battlenet. I know cable is the way to go, just don't need the monthly expense right now. Thanks for your input.

FIC 503+ w/AMD K6-2-350
64meg RAM

[jad1097]

The only thing I could say is do not get a winmodem. If it says on the box it will work with Linux or any other OS it is not a winmodem.
Hope this will help some.

[scourge]

Anyone else care to comment. Thanks!

[Richard_Cranium72]

One top rated modem is the Hayes v-34. A member a while back stated that it was faster than a US Robotics modem that is on paper quicker..An External modem will supposedly outperform an internal one of the same specs...DrVette

[happyhamster]

As jad1097 says, NO winmodem. The difference is that hardware modem has a chip that does lots of internal work, but winmodem lacks it and uses main CPU instead, which decreases system performance, especially on slower machines. Oh, and doesn't run anything except winddows.

kflex is one of older 56k standards. It will usually work, but you may have trouble. So just skip it jump to V90 which is the latest widely supported standard.

External modem may be slightly better in terms of installation/performance, but more expensive as well.

PCI modems may perform slightly better and are easier to install than ISA ones.

I use USR v90 faxmodem, now 3com, which is kinda industry standard, and it works great. However, it may be a little expensive, and there may be even better ones out there, since I haven't tried anything else.

To see the picture, take a look, for example, at this place: http://www.onvia.com/usa/products/index.cfm?CategoryID=44

Also, check out user reviews section from Sysopt homepage.

[Susan]

I've had good luck with Askey modems, usually sold under some generic names. (Thunderlink being one)

My old 33.6 had a Texas Instruments chipset, the one I have now is Rockwell. When and if I want to go to another modem, I will look for an Askey.

www.askey.com (http://www.askey.com) Go to Products, and if you need more info, try the drop down list for MagicXpress

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 02-11-2000).]

[neo_otyugh]

if you want best performance i would say go for an external modem. most modems nowadays are winmodems (software) and are cheap in every way (at work we have to say lower grade, can't insult the customer, especially when they say i just spnt $80 on a 3com winmodem!). i would like to get a us robotics external 56k...but no extra money right now. currently i have a lucent winmodem, cheap, does the job, but i know it is cheaply made as well...

[Vincent22]

In a recent quest to gain back some IRQ's I recently went to an external modem on a machine where perfomance on the net was not a priority. I got a cheap Supra express 56k data fax modem and to my suprize it flies. Even during peak hours it downloads at nothing less than 4.5. Most of the time it's over 5. Have had no problems with it at all. It outperforms the best internal modem from the same company hands down.

Without hesitation for an economy remedy for both freed up resources and good connections I would recommend this product.Supra express 56e V.90
Sincerely
Vincent

[jman01pa]

I am currently running a Supramax 56i and am pleased with it. I did borrow an external U. S. Robotics 56k from work and didnt notice any better performance than what I have now. My comparisons were from general use and not from running tests. I am sure on paper the USR modem is better but I dont play games on paper. Hehe! What I have is cheap and works well. Just my 2.5 cents.


J http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[pickel]

Don't know from personal experience, however some folks I've talked and even my tech support recommened, like Harley Davidson,
get a Sportster, U S robotics( I think).They
say they're as good as any.If I ever buy one since my tech support has always been right on, I'd get this one myself.

the pickel

[desmocat]

I have had pretty good luck with a modem blaster 56k v.90. I have put three in diffrent machines and they all work good.
I did try and call the tech line and after 25 mins on hold, I hung up, GRRRR! That is the only drawback, but it could be a big one if you have a problem with the hardware and need to get it resolved in a timely manner.
As far as your download rate, at 28.8, thats about right,because at 28.8 bits per second, as a rule,each character(letter,numeral,etc..)takes about 8 bits plus a couple for processing,comes out to about 10 bits per,thus the 2.8-3.1 k-bytes per second download speed.I was tourqed off also,because when I dial in, I get about48k-51k bps,but my best d/l is about 5.7kbytes.
My instuctor of my CCNA course went over this a couple of weeks back and it explained alot about the download speeds I was getting. cheers, just my too sense worth MP

[Amarok]

Definately stay away from "Win Modems"

They are junk.... also would stay away from combo cards like the combo sound and modem from IBM or Creative labs.

I do tech support work for a major ISP and have found the following modems to seem to work the best. I have seen alot of BIG problems with win modems... They cause alot more headaches then the 10 or 20 bucks you save on the price of the modem.

USR 56K external
Zoom (cant remember the brand *external*)
Supra Express

The only way I know to guarentee yourself that you are not getting a win modem is to go with an external modem.

Just remember as soon as you decide on what modem to buy. Check out the manufacturers web site and see when the last driver updates were done.

I like USR as they update on a regular basis.


Amarok

[netsurfer]

Hmm, how about that new 3Com Internet Gaming modem? If it optimizes the hardware inside to reduce internal ping (which would lower the amount of ping time to your first server hop), then it might lower your overall ping to various game servers... though, this is just speculation. I've lost touch with modems (though I still remember a lot of the AT command set) since I switched over to ethernet powered by cable modem. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[looking4et]

What is the difference (if any) between win modem and wincruise? I have a wincruise V.90 by Jaton. Seems slow at imes but no problems so far

[bdunn]

Dont buy USB. Like a winmodem they are heavily CPU dependant.

Go external. Zoom and MultiTech seem to work best.

[wyvrn]

Modemblaster ----Software based
SupraMax--- software based
**edit** By the way, most Rockwell chipsets are software modem sets. If it says HCF, HSP, micromodem, or a variant, then you have a software modem.

Buy a Usrobotics Sportster that start at around 79 bucks. Buy a Diamond Supra EXPRESS which are the best IMHO. Some people will not notice a performance gain between a software and hardware modem, but they typically have new, clean phone lines AND lots of processing power/RAM. However, more than 50% (at least) of this countries phone lines are over 10 years old. Hardware modems are the choice for most people to get all the junk out of the phone lines and make a reliable connection. If it costs under 80 bucks, chances are it is a Winmodem. External Supra Express versions work better than anything I have found to date.
http://www.axiontech.com/cgi-local/info2.asp?prdt=mdursp56inv --- USR Sportster at a reseller ratings friendly site for 76 bucks
http://www.axiontech.com/cgi-local/info2.asp?prdt=mddi56kv90ex -----Supra Express external for 86 bucks at same site
http://www.axiontech.com/cgi-local/info2.asp?prdt=mddissiiv90 ---Does your ISP support Multilink? Check out this dual modem (requires two phone lines--with a free ISP that has multilink, this would be cheap alternative to ISDN)

Hope that all helps you out. Lastly, v90 is the standard protocol to date, x2 and kflex are older versions that also work well. Most ISP should support v90, if they don't, question their equipment!!

[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 02-14-2000).]

[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 02-14-2000).]

[Banti]

desmocat

28.8k is baud rate not bit rate. There is a difference.


Banti

[desmocat]

Banti, I relize the diffrence between the two. When you put your cursor over your network icon, it shows xx,xxxbps this is bits per second,what I was pointing out is that each number or letter that is sent takes about a byte,more or less, that is why the connection speed is (to use a round figure) about 10 times the download speed. this can be more or less depending on your line,because late at night,I can connect at 51,000 or so and sometimes see downloads at 5.7-6.1 kbytes (*8 bits per)=45600-48800bps.
Please don't think I'm slamming you,I dont know if I came across as saying this in my last post http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[scourge]

Thanks for all the replies! Here is what I'm going to do. A friend of mine lost $30 to me on the Superbowl, but he has 56k CL Modem Blaster that he's not using and he's a little short of cash. So, he's going to give me the modem and half the cash ($15) and pay to ship it to me. I think that'll work just fine. Besides, he wants to play Starcraft against me without any delay. Essentially getting a CL Modem Blaster for $10 shipped. It's gotta be at least worth that much!

[Hyper75]

Before you spend any money (that goes for the 10 bucks as well) spend 30 cents of long distance and use hyperterminal to call the usr line test page. they should still have info on this at www.3com.com. (http://www.3com.com.) If you're like me, you phone line might not support speeds over 33.6, so what is the point of getting a faster modem? a bad line could also be the reason why you're gettinga 1Kbyte per second download on your 28.8. you should be getting almost 3KB/sec. try www.56k.com (http://www.56k.com) for tips. they also have info on the line test. Dont fall victim to the Brad syndrome: "it has higher numbers, it must be better for me!" see ya

[Smokey]

Well, my vote goes to the old ISA modem. I have a USR V.90 56K ISA modem, and it never fails. Always connects are 49,333, and is super fast.