Hard modems vs. Soft modems

[jl123]

Are the Hard modems any better than the Soft modems when it comes to speed? I know that the soft modems(win modems) use the processor to operate and the hard modems have the required hardware to operate. Does this mean that the hard modems just would put less stress on the processor or would it be more capable to operate at top speeds?? I know the factors such as line static and isp. Just wondering if the Hard modems are worth the extra money. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[wtp]

i rather go with Hardmodems, cuz those **** winmodems take CPU resources. I don't like that...

wtp

[jl123]

Wow! Thanks for the quick responce. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif So i guess it's worth the extra money so that the modem won't slow down your system. For instance playing MP3's while downloading? I've never tried that. So how bout the speed? It's probably the same huh?

Thanks for your quickness http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[wtp]

in napster, while it's downloading, you can preview that you downloaded so far. Yeah, I think it's better off getting a hardmodem other than a winmodem, it might be the same speed, but if it comes to overclocking, it can't hold you back. Plus, it doesn't take CPU resources. No problemo! I recommend external modems though, even though it's not neccessary, it's portable, and jazzy! Yes, it also has it's own CPU.

wtp

[jl123]

Hehe "Jazzy!" http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif I like your word. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Thanks for the info. I just wanted to know so i'll be ready to tell someone. Just in case someone asks me what kind of modem they should get. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[hmf]

A winModem won't work in Linux http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif, so if you have one trash it, and buy a good MODEM, win modems take resourses mainly when dialing up mainly, when connected you won't tell the difference (althought a good winmodem can't beet a good MODEM in speed)...

[LJE2]

Software modems can connect just as fast as a Hardware modem, the problem with software modems, they have a tendency to drop the connection if line conditions aren't perfect, in my opinion you are much better off with a hardware modem.

[Wilan Wong]

I would go for the hardware modems instead of the winmodems.

[Amarok]

I would not say that software modems will drop the connection any more than a hardware modem if the connection is not perfect. However..... if you are running a lot of applications the connection will become unstable. If your system resources are below 75% at the time of connection with a LT winmodem (80% for non LT winmodems) then you are going to have trouble getting connected or staying connected. Hardware modems all the way..... they are worth the extra cash for sure.

[wtp]

the freaken point is, SAY NO TO WINMODEMS, they have no pros, but a bunch of cons... hardware modems might be bigger, but it's better than a piece of **** modem full of cons that take up CPU resources. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

wtp

[jl123]

I really don't need a modem i was just wondering if there was any difference. I wish i knew this sooner. I now have dsl but all the time i had dial up i had to deal with disconnections and other stupid, annoying stuff on my cheap soft modem. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif Thanks for the info guys. When i put in a modem for a friend or reletive i'll inform them on this. I appriciate the info. Thanks http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[neo_otyugh]

IF someone is going to buy a winmodem....they should get a lucent chipset winmodem and update to the newest drivers (currently 5.70 or 5.75), from my experience the lucent winmodem is the best winmodem on the market and with prices starting at $20 that is a hard deal to beat...

also check http://www.ez-net.com/modems

[hai]

The major advantage of winmodem is free.
Well, almost.
You should can find free winmodem or under $5.00 after rebate.

For speed, winmodems actually connect a bit faster than hardware modem. However, they are less stable and the overall connection speed are similar at long term.

Winmodem do eat some cpu power, about 3-5% on a 500Mhz cpu. However, a 500Mhz k6/2 only costs $50 now. You might be willing to pay more on a hardware modem than a cpu though. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Anyway, analog modems are obsolete now. People paying more than $40 on an analog modem might not be wise.

[Win_98]

There are 2 different kind of winmodem
One is good, reliable and use very little
cpu, connect rate is 49-50Kbps

The other isn't so, huge drain on your cpu
Connect rate is 52-53BPS
This is called a soft56K
Avoid it at all cost, it lags alot
pauses alot that is due to frequent use of your cpu to do the work.
They are the cheapest, true it better then nothing but you can do much better with
the better of winmodem that cost more.

I hope I clear thing out, this is why some folk say it suck and some say it good.
I just took out a sucky winmodem,
and put in a better winmodem PCI 56K
DSI D-F-I whatever it stand for, just like
3com/USR Winmodem, cheaper and more realiable. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
BTW: Never a disconnect so far.

[Win_98]

What modem I recommend?
DSI, Digicom Systems Incorperated
You will see a huge V.90 in yellow on the box
and as you look closer it should also say
a subsidiary of Creative, which is Creative Labs
It is 29.95, it is the cheapest what they sell at Besy Buy, Comp USA, and just about anywhere if you can't find it, just keep searching and you find it. Well worth every penny spent. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
Do avoid those computer shop that sell 56K
for 15buck, 16bucks, etc...
They are the worst
Seen some at Office Depot too for 19.99
it is Soft 56K, avoid that too.
BTW: they are not the place to shop for hardware. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[jl123]

Hey win,

I have that modem. I bought it about 4 months ago at Best buy. I don't need it anymore so i put it in a friends computer. It's a pretty good modem. But i had it on an old pentium 100 and there were always disconnects. But i think hard modems are the best. i have an external US Robotics in my closet. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[nvksmt]

I had a Winmodem that connected at 49,333 or 48,000 every time, no lower, sometimes even 52,333. BUT.. it would disconnect every 10 minutes. NO S***. I NEVER EVER stayed connected longer than a half hour. Had to get Go!zilla with redial just to get the **** thing to finish a night long download. Sure, it was a fast modem for a modem. But I switched to my hardware 33.6k just so i could stay connected, that **** thing could stay connected for a day or so at a time! Plus, it went at the full 33.6k always.. better upload speeds than a 56k too. =) GOT CABLE NOW! YEA BABY!

[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 07-04-2000).]

[Win_98]

Hmm funny I stay connected all the time
It must be your ISP, dat the problem
It a good modem, high quality dude
It is much much better then even a USR winmodem, that thing is a pain in the A**
There are very few people who are upset about it cause, like I said they blame it on the modem instead. Oh well their losses.
Causes I just bought an open Box for 2/3 the price of full and it working very well!
Mvprt, what kind of winmodem do you have?
It sound like a crappy one to me...
LIke I said, some are good and some are bad...
SAme thing with hardware modem not all are best, they are very expensive.
But I guess it just preference for some people going hardware all the way paying a
minimum of 100 dollars
There is no reason to pay too much for something like that when 56K is becoming obsolete, I maybe using it for a short period
before switching over to ASDL
and let end this BS discussion.
I'm fed up with it.


[This message has been edited by Win_98 (edited 07-04-2000).]

[nvksmt]

Er, no not my ISP. My ISP was at the time Bellsouth.net. Also, my 33.6k never disconnected. Also, when first picking up the phone line, the **** winmodem made my mp3 skip for a second and it froze my mouse.

If you want to end the discussion, end it with winmodems suck get a hardware modem.

[magk9]

Win_98, you are right about the DSI modem....I had one laying around, and after switching ISP's, my Hayes (NON-win) modem would only connect around 40-44k.....so tried the DSI, and it is from 49333 to 52000.....wow!! And I checked it on a bandwith testing site, it is phenominal compared to ANYTHING I've used....That creative chipset is fantastic

[skybolt_1]

Software modems suck. I have one. It takes up resources, is slower, was a pain in the ***** to configure, ect.. dont bother! Hardware is way better.

[flashngcurser]

Well, just my $.02. I had a USR v.90 ISA modem that connected at 40 -sometimes higher. I was happy with it. Then I started using DSL and gave it away to aunt. Then I moved to a place without DSL, borrowed my old modem back (check e-mail and such) and connected at 40, about the same. When I returned it to my aunt I bought a $ 19.00 Diamond supermax winmodem. As far as I know I have never had a disconnect from the modem its self. My connect speeds are never under 50k. When I download on Napster I typically see 5.6 k speeds and usually is still connected in the morning when I get up. As far as system resources I see 1% usage mostly. If I were running on an p100 with 32mb ram, well that same modem would take up a lot more overhead. Most people on this board have 500mhz+ machines using 128k, and the amount that winnmodems use in these systems is almost undetectable. I think that system resource usage info for winmodems is greatly exaggerated.

However with that said, my brother has a LT (Lucent "Lucifer" technologies) winnmodem, he gets dropped often and connects at 36k max. I dont know what his system resources look like.

For what its worth I am very satisfied with this modem. I think that a winnmodem is a great option for someone waiting for DSL or cable to get to their area.

Can you twin these modems? I see on pricewatch you can get one for about $ 15.