What MODEM do you recommend?

[R2D2]

I have a USRobotics data/fax ISA v90 modem right now, and want to get a "faster" v92 PCI modem.

Will an all-hardware modem like I have right now be best for gaming?

Are all v92 modems "software" modems?
Are they slower? (Since they use CPU resources?)

I really like my current USR modem, but need to get a PCI bus modem.
What would you recommend?

 

[Scifione]

Is this troll bate or what?

There is no reason to change from ISA to PCI or v.90 to v.92 when you are talking about modems.

Changing from ISA to PCI will not increace the speed of your modem connection.
There is no reason to change from v.90 to v.92. Most ISPs are using v.90 and will continue to do so.
With only a few exceptions, all modems are win modems (soft modems).
56K is 56K and their is not much you can do about it except get ISDN, DSL, Cable, or Satelite based connection.

The only reason to change is if you get a new motherboard.

If you do change, I recommend modems based on Lucent chipsets.

 

[RedShirt]

Check to see if your ISP even supports v.92.....

 

[R2D2]

My new MOBO doesn't have any ISA slots.

My ISP is gearing up for v92. I figure I'd rather get a v92 modem than a v90 modem all else being equal, unless anyone knows of any "negatives" regarding this type.

I've always avoided WinModems in the past (being a gamer), but perhaps that can't be helped with the new v.90/v.44 standards. Not that I live for PING...

 

[clumsum]

I just got a USR 56K V.90 Voice Hardware PCI 2976 ......... it's an OEM modem that cost me $58. at the local pc shop ..........

I really like it and it's fast (for a dial-up) and positive and stays locked on-line very good......

There is also a USR Performance Pro PCI model that is retail ........... designed for gaming, but no voice, costs between $70. and $100.

I even tried an AMR modem card that came included when I purchased a mb, but I was not impressed with it's performance, ........ it would work fine for a back-up though for someone on broadband!

 

[easystreet]

Zoom PCI or external..............I need the call waiting and it's fast.

I bet you didn't know that in the old days in Nebraska the top wire in the 3-wire barbed wire fence was the phone line.........but they didn't have V92 either.......

 

[R2D2]

Thanks Clum'

If I get a new PCI v90 hardware modem, I'll give it a try.



Anyone using a v92 modem yet?

R2

 

[R2D2]

I'll check into that ZOOM too. I've used a Zoom external in the past...

 

[oldfart]

I doubt you will see many ISP's going to V92. There is nothing wrong with it, but I just don't see them investing in what will give them no return. They wont get any new customers, nor will they lose any if they don't upgrade. Most people are not concerned (or aware) of the faster upstream speed. V92 is PCM upstream and downstream instead of PCM down/analog up. This may slightly help to lower ping times, but it would be very minor. If you need to get a new modem anyway, a you might as well get a V92 model if it doesn't cost more.

 

[Davegod]

only 'real' advantages of v92 that im aware of is faster upstream (i.e, uploading) speeds and theyre meant to be quicker to dial in the connection. also one big advantage for those with one phone line (lets face it, nobody using 56k would have two, theyd get broadband) as they can detect an incoming call and put internet on hold and the call comes through, soon as you hangup it automatically resumes what it was doing. Above is "so they say anyway".

however no idea how many ISP's will support it. id be surprised if its not most as theyve always taken up new techs in past, although this first time when its not been a headline (i.e. DL speed) improvement. bear in mind all v92 modems will happily work as v90 so no reason at all not to go for the v92 version is teh cost diff is negligible. personally my modem i s'v92 ready' and im swapping it for anothe rv92 ready mostly because i want to be able to receive calls and also anything to minimise MP gaming ping is great for me.

i would also get PCI over ISA, not for any speed diff's (if theres any at all) but because PCI will be on new boards for a long time, few current boards have ISA already, and if u need to change the mobo for whatever reason in future you would be forced into buyign a new modem.

 

[Idoxash]

I payed around 115 bucks for a darn usr v.92 modem.

first i want to say usr modems are good if you get them to work right.

It took me weeks to get the v.92 software to work on my darn modem ( was telling me my mode did not work with v.92)

second i want to say usr is like ati when it comes to drivers....they suck ass.

now my local isp ( 10 miles away ) had v.92 way before these modems were in stores...so when they came out i wanted to try it cause i game and stuff....well when i did get it all to work i had way to many dc probs and most of the time it was just as slow as my old usr modem.

on tribes 2 servers my avg pings on my old usr mode was from 149 too 250 ms....with the new v.92 i got around 130 too 300 ms and the gameplay was really the same the upload speed sucked ass the modem suck the drivers sucked usr suckes...im on a usr pci fax pro modem now and it works find still have probs with the drivers and i never did get the software to work with it...the thing is modem is a modem dont' spend 200 bucks on getting better in modems the only way to get better is a phat line to the house....

 

[Davegod]

oh darn. i thought everybody said USR modems always best? or this some 'made in usa = best'?