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Modem: reliable & cheap

W

w0lf42

Weaksauce
Joined
Jun 18, 2002
Messages
77
I am building a budget system for someone and I need to drop a modem in it.

It will have Windows 2K on it. I've heard of the WinModems which seem to be cheaper, but I was under the impression that they use more system resources. Also, I would like to have one that can run under Linux (assuming the cost difference is drastic).

Being that it's a budget system, cost is definately a concern.

Any suggestions for a reliable V.92 56K PCI Modem?

Thanks in Advance.
 
....I may get lit up for this, but here goes....:D

Sure there are differences in modems, more than anything the quality of the analog filters in the front end (read = expensive), but the truth is that the signal to noise of your telephone line is what typically limits the speed of your connection....not the modem. As you said cost is an issue, I can recommend this modem as I've used them before. Yes, it's a "winmodem", but with modern CPU's I just don't see CPU utilization as an issue. The Conexant chipset is recognized by the drivers in XP, and seems to work great. Hey, for $13.00 + $4.00 shipping.....I think it's just fine.

There are some "winmodem" drivers for Linux, but I can't comment on them as I've not used them. Stick with the more common chipsets on your modem, and I'll bet you'll be fine.

FWIW - YMMV - etc......B.B.S.
 
Well i'm under the impression you can't run Linux on any of the Winmodems and you have to have a hardware based modem with the controller built onto it. Winmodems use CPU cycles to carry out alot of their operations. Some more then others. I use winmodems though and dont have a problem with them. If the system is over 1Ghz you shoudln't notice any affects at all from the modem using CPU cycles. The problem with winmodems was back when people were stuck on 500Mhz prcoessors.

I have a really nice external USR 56k v.92 USB 2.0 modem. Its not controller-based but it connects very quickly and was easy to set up. It looks cool and its external so you can move it around real easy from PC to PC. Plus it doesn't take up one of your PCI slots. It cost me around $53 shipped at Newegg. Its the USR 5633a. I like it and would recommend it unless your just looking for a dirt cheap modem.

There are cheaper ones but i probably wouldn't get one of the ones from USR. I have a USR 5699b internal PCI modem and it was horrible. I had to send it back. Creative Labs and Trendware i believe are pretty good internal modems.

Personally i would get an external modem ither USB or Serial or an internal hardware based modem espeically if your wanting to run Linux and have internet access while your running it.

....I may get lit up for this, but here goes....
Click to expand...

*digs out his trusty flamethrower* :D
 
Don't have much to add to the responses, except that many Winmodems have Linux support, many conexant chipset modems included. Check out www.linmodems.org and www.linuxant.com . I use my winmodem with the linuxant drivers and it works perfectly. If price is an issue, I see no reason not to cut a few bucks off with a winmodem. It'll be just as slow. =/

EDIT: Forgot to mention the linux drivers for the Conexant modems aren't free. They are free if you are willing to let it limit you to 14.4kb/s. But if you want full 56k, you have to pay for them. I haven't checked out other modems with free linux drivers since I haven't had to, but surely they're out there.
 
Are there any Linmodem drivers for a USR (3com chip) external USB modem?

Sorry, i looked at those two links and didn't see anything but maybe i missed it.
 
Originally posted by BlindedByScience
....I may get lit up for this, but here goes....:D
Click to expand...
LMAO, at least you have the balls to put it out there. :)

OK, winmodems sucks ass. However, are you really willing to shell out more money, a lot more, likely 5-8 times more, for a real modem so you can still have an ass sucking connection? No. So a winmodem is a decent answer.

Eww, I feel dirty for saying that. Now I need a bath.

I have no idea about the linux side of things, going to have to let others answer that.
 
Other then the fact they dont have a problem with windows drivers, i've yet to find any real reason why a controller-based modem is better. I know several people that have them and the connection speed is usually the same and with a 1GHz or faster machine you dont have ANY performance loss from a winmodem. I guess there is the deal with your system sorta hangs up when you disconnect and reconnect.

Any other reason why a serial external modem is better? I do have an external USB 2.0 BTW even though its pretty much a winmodem.
 
Originally posted by burningrave101
Are there any Linmodem drivers for a USR (3com chip) external USB modem?

Sorry, i looked at those two links and didn't see anything but maybe i missed it.
Click to expand...

http://freewebhosting.hostdepartment.com/g/gromitkc/winmodem.html#Database has some nice information also. Not sure if it's supported, but the site has a nice database to help you. It does mention that many USB modems are still Winmodems. Either way, at least it has a list of modems so you can look up the supported ones and check prices and stuff.
 
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