Author Topic: 56K Vs 33.6K (Read 5380 times)

usman · « **on:** 2004-03-21 16:56:33 »

Hi:
I am using Zoltrix Cobra 56K V90 PCI modem and quiet happy with its performance. My friend told me that if I use 33.6K ISA USR modem I will get much reliable and faster pefrormance from it because according to him Cobra is a Software Modem and USR 33.6K ISA modem is a Hardware modem.
Please guide me regarding it and tell me is it good to buy that old ISA modem 33.6K from old junk shop also tell me is it possible to upgrade V90 modem into V92 modem by installing a new Driver.

Best Regards
Usman

sfx1999 · « **Reply #1 on:** 2004-03-21 19:43:58 »

No, it won't perform better, and no, you cannot install a new driver to upgrade it to V92.

Sukaeto · « **Reply #2 on:** 2004-03-21 19:56:51 »

What you need to do to get a hardware modem is buy an EXTERNAL 56k V .92 modem. Most of your PCI modems are going to be Win modems, and it's very unlikely you'll find an ISA Modem in any store.

External USR Modems used to run around 70-100 USD. I've seen other brands as low as 30 USD on the net and at Computers shows, though.

Aaron · « **Reply #3 on:** 2004-03-21 20:31:35 »

Unlikely you'll find an ISA modem... also unlikely that you'll have an ISA port in any newer computer

Yeah, hardware modems are probably more reliable, but I have a USB modem (due to the lack of PCI slots) - it's a Winmodem, but it really works just fine. I notice it causes a little extra CPU usage but that's about it, and I don't really mind since I'm not using it about 99% of the time.

Nom_Anor · « **Reply #4 on:** 2004-03-21 22:34:41 »

go check out www.pricewatch.com. They will get you the best price on your modem. Either them, or pricegrabber.com. Bensbargains.net usually has higher end stuff, otherwise you could check there too. ^_^

DeadLajik · « **Reply #5 on:** 2004-03-21 23:01:51 »

Just wanted to say that USR, or 3com (one company bought the other, but I don't know which) make very good hardware _PCI_ modems.

I think what your friend meant by a driver upgrade for V90 to V92 is actually a firmware upgrade. Firmware upgrades can upgrade the modem.. But any new modem you buy already has this standard.

mirex · « **Reply #6 on:** 2004-03-22 17:34:21 »

Software modem takes some % of cpu, if you have fast cpu and slowdown is unnoticable you don't have to care ... i would not buy 33.6 instead of 56, it slows you connection to half of current. And i am not sure about external modem ... its just one more box taking place next to computer

and uses one lpt port
I have Microcom internal 56.6 PCI and its just fine, it costed me about 30$ in computer shop.

Aaron · « **Reply #7 on:** 2004-03-22 18:03:47 »

Quote

and uses one lpt port

Don't most external modems actually use a COM (serial) port?

sfx1999 · « **Reply #8 on:** 2004-03-22 21:25:11 »

Yeah, there is a COM port connecter that looks like DB25.

mirex · « **Reply #9 on:** 2004-03-24 19:33:53 »

Oh yeah right now when i look into settings i see that this external isdn modem is on COM1, 25 pin.
And my internal dialup modem takes COM3