Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Help me choose a new modem for online gaming. v.everything?

Aug 22, 2007 2:12AM PDT

I'm currently using a SupraMax Pro v.92 Diamond internal modem that I got from an office supplies retail store about 7 months ago. Its ok, but its far from the quality I've had in other modems. I'm looking to buy a new modem. I need one that will do well with the online game World of Warcraft. The best modem I ever had was the USR Performance Pro Gaming internal modem. It worked fine for several months until one day it started disconnecting after about every 30 minutes of being connected. USR suggested it may have been struct by lightning but I don't think that happened. Has anyone else had this trouble before with this modem? Should I buy a new one?

I have been searching the web and have had my eyes on the v.everything USR internal modem. The only problem I see is its everything up to v.90 and not v.92. I'm not sure how this would affect my latency for online games but I have heard only good about it. Does this modem perform well still and is the v.92 loss worth it for this modem? Here is a couple links to modems I have in mind. I would appreciate any feedback and if anyone has a certain modem suggestion let me know.

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=7&subcategory=40&product=258

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170137717734&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Denial mode.
Aug 22, 2007 2:39AM PDT

I run into many that won't accept the modem was damaged so Tech carries a spare modem to swap out. Even when we show that replacing the modem cures the issue many owners want to fix their modem. Even reloading the OS at 120 bucks a pop (which we proved was not the problem) seems to be preferred. I call these "denial mode" and those that fall into that mode can be stuck until they accept the fact that hits are normal and it's best to swap it out and retest.

Bob

- Collapse -
modem issues
Aug 22, 2007 7:17PM PDT

If decent dial up modems didn't cost $50+ I wouldn't mind replacing them when they don't seem to work properly but if there is a solution I like to try to find it. I did give up on fixing my USR performance pro after had installed back into my computer on 3 seperate occassions over the past 2 years hoping the problem would fix in time but it didn't so thats why I'm asking which modem should I go with.

Windows XP Home is my OS

- Collapse -
I hear you.
Aug 23, 2007 1:40AM PDT

We don't use the 50 buck modems but those 10 buck ones just like what came with most machines. The 50 buck modems have a 1 or so warranty do use that if need be.

Bob

- Collapse -
which one?
Aug 24, 2007 2:28AM PDT

Ok so if you had to pick a new modem thats as good or better than the USR performance pro internal, which one would you go with? I have my eyes set on the v.everything USR internal modem but its not v.92 its everything under v.92. Would it be an upgrade?

- Collapse -
Sorry.
Aug 24, 2007 2:32AM PDT

We no longer use those. Computer horsepower is so high today that even the 10 buck winmodem is working like a champ and we can't tell the difference. We only entertain the older modems if the owner has something less than a pentium 4.

Bob

- Collapse -
i just want opinions on a modem
Aug 24, 2007 7:00AM PDT

Well still I just want opinions on a good reliable modem before I buy one. the USR v.everything is everything up to v.90 so how much of a loss and gain would I get with this modem replacing my store bought SupraMax Pro v.92?

- Collapse -
Re: v90 versus v92
Aug 24, 2007 7:17AM PDT

A google search for v90 versus v92 turns up all you want to know and possibly more. Two hits with me:
http://www.galaxynet.com/default.php?id=151
http://www.modemsite.com/56k/v92interop.asp

This shows that it depends on your ISP. So better ask them. And it shows that even in 2003 there hardly were v90 modems being sold. Surprising you want to do that now.

I'd go with Bob's advice, unless WoW uses so much CPU at your PC that you're better off with an external modem.

Kees

Kees

- Collapse -
Can you use an ISA modem?
Aug 24, 2007 7:23AM PDT

ISA slots have not been in machines for many years. I've dropped many HINTS!!! that today modem choices are not as critical as they used to be. However in checking your links I see ISA which means we may be looking at some very old PC. You haven't told much about this.

The USR serial modem still is the king when I need to be absolutely sure the modem will work with any OS. These serial modems run on every OS and don't have any overhead to the host.

Bob

- Collapse -
PCI modems
Aug 25, 2007 3:19AM PDT

I don't think mine has ISA slots but it does have PCI and a serial plug in. Ok so if I should get a better modem or one more up to date then could you recommend some modems preferably ones that aren't years and years old.

- Collapse -
modem does matter
Aug 25, 2007 3:28AM PDT

And I would also like to add with every new modem I try I always notice a different in performance. Thats why I'm asking which one I should go with now that I stated the best one I've used so far. The USR 56k performance pro internal was the best modem I've ever had and I would like to know if there is one out there just as good or better. I don't want to just buy the first v.92 I see I've already tried that and buying random modems out of office stores is just the wrong way to go.