Author Topic: What is the best modem? (Read 883 times)

Dowding · « **on:** February 13, 2001, 03:02:00 PM »

I'm looking to buy a new modem, and just wondered what everyone else uses/recommends. Obviously it would have to be good for online gaming (which basically consists of AH, for me).

I was thinking of going external - are USB modems as good as serial ones?

Cheers.

Maverick · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2001, 03:44:00 PM »

Dowding,

I have never used an external modem at all so can't help you there.

The experience I do have has shown me that it's best to get a "name" modem. Before I got DSL I used the US Robotics 3Com 56k modem. Not the WIN modem but the 56k Faxmodem. The Winmodem needs to use data compression to get the 56k speed and the fax modem doesn't. (That's how it was explained to me) In other words the Win modem will be slower.

Mav

Replicant · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2001, 03:54:00 PM »

Hi Dowding

I had to get a new modem about 4 months ago. I used to use a Diamond Supra 56k external serial modem which was excellent. I couldn't get another one at the time so I chose the Diamond SupraMax 56k USB. Whatever you do DON'T get one of those! I don't know if it is because it's USB or what but for normal browsing it was quick as hell, but for gaming it caused major warps all the time, and I mean ALL the time. So I went back to PC World (it was a Sunday I think!!) and bought the Elsa Microlink 56k 'Internet' which is a snazzy grey/blue external modem with powerpack/serial connection. I had never heard of Elsa making modems before but all I can say is that I am VERY pleased with it and can't recommend it enough! You also get some tweak utilities with it too. I think it's priced very well at under £50.

Hope that helps

Regards

Nexx

[This message has been edited by Replicant (edited 02-13-2001).]

Animal · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2001, 05:00:00 PM »

Best modem is the (fastest, most realiable) is the US ROBOTICS 56K VOICE HARDWARE MODEM.

Only problem is that its ISA, but if you have free isa slots its not a problem.

Before someone comes to argue with me; I got this conclusion from when I worked in a hardware site and did benchmarks with 10 different modems, including many USB and PCI models, and the US ROBOTICS came on top.

Try to go for a ISA or USB modem because they have their own processor (Hardware Modems) many PCI modems also have their own CPU, but its hard to know wich. US ROBOTICS makes a GAMERS modem that is PCI. Its the same US ROBOTICS I'm recomending but changed to a PCI model. If you can find this, better yet, but it was kinda expensive when it came out.

Avoid Diamond modems, they work for some people, but they generally are very unstable, have driver problems, and are not very consistent in their connection speed. They are also very sensitive to your phone line.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2001, 06:10:00 PM »

Actually, the best modem would be the external USR Courier modem. A tad expensive, but it is the best on the consumer market right now.
Avoid a USB based modem. Use the good old UARTS for the serial port. You will be happier for it.

------------------
Roy "Skuzzy" Neese
President, AppLink Corp.
http://www.applink.net
skuzzy@applink.net

Animal · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2001, 12:22:00 AM »

Never tested that modem, Skuzz.
But since your word is the law when it comes to networking, I fully trust you

I am using a Best Data USB modem right now and its pretty fast. Not as fast as my old ISA US ROBOTICS :-/

SOB · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2001, 12:52:00 AM »

I'm using an external Courier on my system now. Unfortunately/fortunately the poor thing is relegated to sending and recieving faxes, but 3 or 4 years old and one 56k upgrade and it still works great.

SOB

Dowding · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2001, 04:17:00 AM »

Thanks guys.

At home, our phone lines are all provided by a cable company, and they are offering a cable modem Hi-speed internet thing for £33 (about $50) a month.

I already have an NIC card, but it has to be 10 Base-T. How can I check this is the case?

Not sure I can justify the expense, but does anyone reckon they are any good?

Thanks again.

SOB · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2001, 04:56:00 AM »

I've got a cable modem now and love it...not as much as my old DSL, but since I can't get DSL here it's the next best choice.

If your network card is installed in your computer (not a USB), then it'll be either a 10 or 100.

SOB

Dowding · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2001, 05:44:00 AM »

Cool!

It's a PCI card which got installed at uni.

Thing is, the cable company reckon they cost £45+, whereas mine cost me £25.

Also, it only has a standard modem cable port - I always thought they use that proper network cable (with a circular plug).

SOB · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2001, 01:29:00 PM »

hmmmm...maybe I spoke too soon

They do make network cards for home networking that work off of phone cable, but you usually buy that in a kit with a couple of cards & I'm not sure if those run at 10Mbps or not. Are you sure it's a phone connector or is it a little fatter than a phone connector? If it's a little fatter, then that should be good.

If you do need to buy a new network card, 45 Brit seems pretty dang high, but that's as compared to here in the states.

SOB

Lephturn · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2001, 01:43:00 PM »

A PCI 10/100 NIC is cheap. Should be around 25 Pounds at most I would guess.

How to check: Your network card should have a box-shaped socket in it just like an RJ11 phone jack. (Although I think you guys might use different phone jacks in the UK?)

It should look like this: http://www.dlink.com/products/adapters/dfe550tx/

This is the type of plug used for 10BaseT UTP cabling, Unshielded Twisted Pair.

This is a standard network card, and what the cable modem company is expecting. Your card may have both this type of port, and an round one with two bumps on it for a BNC connection using "thinnet", or thin coaxial cable. (10Base2) Thinnet is not normally used in modern networking, and would only be found on older network cards.

If you do need to get a new network card, stick with some kind of name-brand PCI card. Intel, 3Com, D-Link, LinkSys... something you recognise. And remember, nothing is "free", if it's a $5 network card, it SUCKS.

------------------
Lephturn - Aces High Chief Trainer
A member of The Flying Pigs http://www.flyingpigs.com

Check out Lephturn's Aerodrome!

"Nothing is so firmly believed as that which we least know." - Michel Eyquem, seigneur de Montaigne. (1533–1592)

Dowding · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2001, 01:53:00 PM »

It is definetly a little fatter, and has two LEDs. It was installed by the IT department at my uni. for connection to the network from my room at college. Obviously, they didn't give me any documentation and my computer has no information about the card.

Anyway, I've tracked down an ACER 10/100 WOL ethernet card for £41.

You yanks and your cheap electronics... grrrrr

.

<edit> Cheers Lephturn!!!

I think I might go with this cable modem thing - at least I'll look into it.

[This message has been edited by Dowding (edited 02-14-2001).]

Pirate BK · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2001, 02:45:00 PM »

I as of yet don't have the luxury of cable or dsl. I do have a few modems though. For me I get best connects via USRobotics. (currently use voice pro .. external usb or serial) Contrary to some others I seem to get the best connects from USB modems ... go figure.

Chuck

------------------
Pirate //BK\\
pi

-lynx- · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2001, 05:12:00 AM »

Dowding e-mail me your address I'll mail you D-link 10Mbits card. It's and ISA thing but it's got both RJ45 and 10BaseT (thin ethernet) connectors. I happend to have a few just lying around (all new Dells come with LAN ports on board

).

I might have a PCI dual card (would be a 3COM thing in this case) - but my LAN box is at my gf house, can't remember if I have any of those - can you wait till Friday?