PCI/AMR or External Modem?

[blazer2boy]

I'm looking to upgrade my 33.6 modem to a 56k V90.

Would like to know what others would recommend for a modem.
I have read in this forum PCI is not the way to go.
What about an AMR Modem or an External Modem? How do these compareto each other? My MOBO does have an AMR slot.

[Randy_tx]

56k v90 modems are actually pretty close in performance(I've tested the heck out of em)...my favorite chipset is Lucent. I achieve 6.2kps consistently downloading; however, I'm one block from the switch station of the phone co....so line quality has a LOT to do with performance. Dont get a Conexant modem or a Winmodem however...they really are slow.

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Wore out my Ctrl/Alt/Del keys with Win ME

[kenja]

It's not PCI modems as a whole that people are downrating, it's the software based modems (like the common Conexant chip and Winmodem, as Randy_tx says).

It really does depend on your telephone line: I never saw connections at anything over 26.4Kb/s with either a 33.6K ISA (hardware-based) modem or a 56K PCI Conexant type. My roomate had a second line put in, however, and his Conexant modem gets 55Kb/s readings! (Somewhat erroneously; FCC regulations limit the actual bandwidth to 53Kb/s, but his Emachine was twice as fast as mine.) (I've got cable now (thank Goodness).)

I haven't looked real hard, but I haven't seen any AMR devices being sold at retail.

[This message has been edited by kenja (edited 02-08-2001).]

[blazer2boy]

I was at a computer store yesterday talking with the owner.

So I asked him if he carried any AMR modems he went behind the counter and pulled one out from underneath. Its so small really nothing to it cost was around $15.00.

Is there any difference in using an AMR modem compared to the PCI? If so what would be the benefit/s of it?

How do you tell if its a software based modem?

[This message has been edited by blazer2boy (edited 02-08-2001).]

[This message has been edited by blazer2boy (edited 02-08-2001).]

[hiredgoonz]

AMR modems are really cheap and use your cpu to emulate some of the features of a normal hardware modem...as a result, you take a performance hit on the computer overall...software based pci or isa modems are a little better, but still use computer resources to "make up the difference" since they do not have all the hardware of a "true" modem

External modems are pretty much all hardware modems and as such can be used with most operating systems, not just windows, which most winmodems need to operate...usrobotics makes pretty good pci hardware modems, any of the ones in their gaming series are good...

So what it boils down to is whether a small performance increase is worth the extra $ you'll have to pay for a true hardware modem...someone mentioned how important phone lines are...which is very true, using the same computer and (software) modem in 3 states, I got speeds from 28800 in san angelo, texas to 52000 in pittsburgh, pa...

The only time you'll probably really notice is if you do alot of online gaming via phone isp where time is extremely important...and if you plan on ever using a non-windows OS, you'll most likely need a hardware modem (some winmodems work in linux, but not many)

So, bottom line: which is more important? Money or a little performance?

[Paleo Pete]

Some excellent points have been made, good job folks.

To tell if you're looking at a hardware or software modem:

Price. The cheapest modems in the place are most likely software based. Look at the box more closely.

Name. PCI modem usually, but not always means winmodem. HCF, HSF and LT winmodem are software modems. Windows modem is probably a software modem too.

System requirements. If the box says "P-200 required, etc, it's a software based modem. Hardware modems don't require a certain CPU or amount of memory. That's the most common and reliable giveaway. Software based modems almost always have system requirements listed on the box.

External. No external winmodem has ever been made that I'm aware of.

ASK THE SALESMAN! And let he or she know if it turns out to be a software modem they WILL get it back. You'll know soon as you install it, by looking in Device Manager, and looking for LT winmodem, winmodem, HCF or HSF.

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[blazer2boy]

Thanks everyone for all the information. It helps when looking for computer
parts to be informed on the differences they have and how they will effect your computer.

Cheers All http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Blazer http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[kenja]

One more thing: Not all modems are capable of faxing. The Winmodem in my IBM thinkpad faxes, as does my ISA modem, but the (PCI) Conexant HSF does not.

[hiredgoonz]

I don't know whether a USB external modem qualifies as a hardware or software or winmodem, but for those, you gonna probably need windows...

I've never heard of an external (serial-connect) winmodem either, I should have clarified that I meant usb...

[Randy_tx]

There have been a lot of posts regarding this subject, but nobody(including me) got around to finding out the OTHER important factors in deciding whether you will get more performance with ANY v90 modem !!
Modem performance (ie transfer speed) can be affected a great deal by: a lack of RAM (need 32mb or more for internet), Video card Ram (less than 4 mb will slow you to a crawl), CPU speed (less than 300 mhz will show up in performance) and Hard Drive speed (the drives older than 3 yrs usually are VERY slow compared to todays ide 5400/7200 rpm types). The Quality of your telephone line can RUIN everything...regardless of components!...so a lot goes into moving faster with a dial-up style connection!!

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When all else fails...I'm a heck of a parts swapper!