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View Full Version : ISA or PCI for modems?


andreadebiase
02-22-2001, 10:24 AM
ISAs are slower than newer PCI but when it comes to modems (very slow data flow right?) is it worth to buy PCI?
thanks

Ghost_Hacker
02-22-2001, 10:31 AM
IMHO no. The ISA modem does just as good a job as a PCI or the new AMR(?) ones. (and should have the added bonus of being REAL cheap.)

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"It's just a whisper in my Ghost"

Randy_tx
02-22-2001, 11:30 AM
I've done extensive testing on both ISA & PCI modems and the net results depend on many factors, but generally speaking, ISA modems perform better in systems slower than 200 mhz(often you cant even get a PCI modem to work in a slow computer) and there is no difference above that cpu speed between the two. Nearly (if not all)all ISA modems are Firmware based and most (if not all) PCI modems are software based; however the PCI bus is a bit faster. Anyways, ISA modems have actually gone UP in price where I am! I have excellent success with Lucent technologies chipsets on PCI modems (consistantly above 52K or 6+ kps download speed.

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"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

blazer2boy
02-22-2001, 03:06 PM
I have both PCI and ISA modems and do not see any better preformance over the other.

Randy which modem do you use that you get a consistant 52k or 6k+?

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

[This message has been edited by blazer2boy (edited 02-22-2001).]

Randy_tx
02-22-2001, 03:37 PM
The brand is not as crucial as the "Chipset"....Any modem with the Lucent Technologies chipset does well. I have a "Phoebe Micro" brand name in my computer right now & it just checked out at 6.2 kps @ 53333 baud (baud rate is only the beginning rate)......actual rates vary minute by minute.
Phoebe sells mainly to Wholesalers so they might not be too easy to get, but several Mfg's use the Lucent chipset....it's not the only good one, just one I've had a good deal of success with (esp. with regard to electrical spikes - never had one come back from a lightning storm yet). I have a pretty fast cpu which also helps some.

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"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT