WinModem Suggestion

[jojjoj]

Just need your suggestion(s) on a reliable(is there one?) winmodem for a friend to use for AOL and IRC. I saw a Modem Blaster for $39(retail) and Diamond Supra(OEM) for $42. Are they any good? Should I go for a brand name?

[a Bill]

Hmm, in my opinion, any PCI modem will do just fine if it's a WinModem you want.

[steves]

Go for a brand name cheap PCI modems are generally the totally soft variety and are built down to a price.

I'm using a Diamond Supra PCI (OEM) to write this and I was a piece of cake to install and runs fine.

See PCI V ISA modem discussion also (discussion 791).

[chuckiechan]

If you are (or are planning) using a communication program like Talkworks or Winfax (Symantec) you may have problems. Think ahead! I.E. My Creative Labs Phone Blaster is incompatable with Talkworks, and both of these items are industry leaders--unbelievable!!

[Susan]

The Cirrus Logic Chipset PCI modems seem to be okay from what I've seen.

[cobain1crt]

Don't get a winmodem, these degrade performance, get a hard modem for like $10 extra.

[reboot]

Susan: Watch out for Cirrus Logic chipsets. Have you ever tried to find any support for it?
Stay away from Motorolla too. They are out of the modem market, and provide no support anymore.
Go with USR/3com, and take your chances. To get an upgrade, you need to dial long distance! What a load of ****.
I install (and sell) about 30 modems a month. I will not sell anything except Rockwell based modems. The HCF chipset is the best for a winmodem. They are made by Askey, Zoom, Diamond, Zoltrix, Creative, and many others. Try to stay away from HSP chipsets. (PC-Tel and others).
For a non-winmodem, I install GVC PCI "hard" modems. Yes, they are a hard modem in PCI form. Retail is around $100, but absolutely great for online gaming!
Cheers, Jim