56K Hardware Modems vs. Winmodems: The Truth Exposed (and a Buying Guide)
Jun 17 '01
The Bottom Line In the end, as long as you have a quality name-brand modem, the difference between a winmodem and a hardware modem shouldn't be noticeable to the average user.
Intro
Many modem manufacturers in recent years have slashed costs by removing chips from their modems and simulating the functionality using your CPU. This saves them money, but slows your system and requires you to install special drivers. Besides "Windows modems", these modems are variously referred to as "host-based", "controllerless", "computer-dependent", "HCF", "HSP" and "software" modems. The entire DSP (digital signal processor) as well as its RAM and ROM have been eliminated. In these cases, the the drivers ARE the modem and determine how good it is. Winmodems are typically smaller and look cheap. The general idea most people have is that winmodems should be avoided at ALL costs. However, there are advantages to winmodems that establish them as sufficient for most users.
Cost
Winmodems are very inexpensive (sometimes free after rebate) and modern winmodems give you around the same bit rate connection and ping times as standard modems. There's no need to spend $100 on a modem when that same $100 could buy you 3 months of broadband service.
Are They Reliable?
Winmodems are also pretty reliable, as many major computer manufactures use Winmodems nowadays (which means that they are battle tested in the lab...those companies would want to spend forever giving tech support for broken modems). Besides, the DSP, RAM, and ROM could never fail, as Winmodems lack these. :D Instead, they use some of the host PC's CPU time to handle parts of the data communications.
Borrowed CPU Cycles?
While surfing or downloading from the web this borrowed CPU time doesn't cause any problems. However, when trying play games online on slower machines, the CPU is so busy handling the flow of data (which is very intense when playing online) that it has much less time to process the game you are trying to play. This will usually mean serious lag if your processor is behind the times.
So What's The Truth Behind This "Hogging"?
However, with modern machines, Winmodems "hogging" the CPU are a thing of the past. While winmodem technology has advanced, the speed and power of processors is now far beyond, and that 2% CPU utilization will be barely noticeable. On 1ghz machines, that number could be so minimal it would be a nonissue.
Are Winmodems Good Enough Then?
In general, software modems aren't bad for general use. If you're just going to browse and use e-mail, software modems are fine. Even in simple online games, they will suffice. If you have a powerhouse machine, you won't see a difference in CPU intensive games either. Think about all the Compaqs, Dells, and HPs out there with Winmodems. People say you can't play online games with a winmodem. Well, all those people who don't know any better seem to be doing just fine...
Any Exceptions To The General Rule?
Sometimes, however, a single connection delay might be the difference between life and death. If you worry about having a modem that might gobble up those precious CPU cycles and add unneeded latency to your dial-up connection, don't go with winmodems.
What Kind Of Winmodems Are Good?
If you want a Winmodem, Lucent LT Winmodems are the best Winmodems available. A good list of Lucent LT Winmodems can be found at:
http://www.808hi.com/56k/ltwin7.htm
You can usually tell winmodems from standard modems by looking at the board itself.
Standard: http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/gamingmodem/images/gamemodem.jpg
Winmodem:
http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/gamingmodem/images/smallmodem.jpg
Any Guidelines If I don't Want A Winmodem?
If you still want to avoid Winmodems, follow these guidelines:
1. Avoid any modem that requires a Pentium as a minimum spec CPU.
2. Avoid any modem that mentions "Controlerless" or "HSP".
3. Avoid any modem that says "Windows only".
And a basic rule:
**Avoid no-name modems.**
External Winmodems?
External modems are NEVER winmodems, so if you don't want a winmodem, they are a safe way to go. I also like the extra control external modems give you. :D
What About USB Modems?
USB modems would seem to be good, as USB has a maximum throughput of up to 12 Mb/s, allowing almost 10 times the throughput of a standard COM port. Other advantages are the ability to hot-swapping and no need for an external power supply. However, there are USB software modems out there, so if you really don't want a winmodem, beware. For USB, stick with the good brands (In fact, I would recommend ALWAYS sticking with the good brands)
Recommendations
Good Brands that I Recommend:
3COM/US Robotics
Diamond
Zoom
Motorola
Hayes
Of course, these brands have Winmodems of your own, so follow the guidelines I had above and possibly even open the box to look at the modem if you really don't want a Winmodem.
Winmodem or not, V.90 (and the new V.92), controller based, with flash ROM and DSP (like a free upgrade for modems) are usually what you should stick with.
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Member: Kenneth Yu
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