Modem Suggestion

I use a 3Com Internet Gaming Modem (about $100),I ping between 145-200 on my favorite servers.
I think http://www.firingsquad.com did a comparison of my modem vs. a Diamond SupraMax 56k PCI. My modem was better but they said the Diamond pinged pretty good too.I installed one for a friend and he has pings close to mine.
The SupraMax 56k PCI goes for around $40 bucks just about anywhere,some places like CompUSA offer a 10 dollar rebate with it too.

Hope this helps.

Hi all,
I think you will find in the end, that this has a lot more to do with the Internet Service Provider, your connection to them and their connection to the net.
Shop arround if you have options, they can make a big difference.

Fun later!

I too use the USR PCI Gamming Modem, and I get very good pings under 200. But they don't make it anymore, the new one is called "56K* Performance Pro Modem", just a new name thats all, and the price is $79.00 US.

check it out here:

http://www.usr.com/products/home/home-product.asp?sku=3CP5610A

try changing them for an external modem..if they
are not to expensive

and i agree with Duck, it has a lot to do with your
isp

The modem I suggest, is the Diamond Supra Express Pro, external. It cost me £50, dunno what you would get it for in the US, $70-80?!?!

With a PCI winmodem, I got a 400 ping if I was lucky, with the external I get 120-150 with a good ISP, and my avg ping is 140-190 even on my bad flat rate ISP. Look at the huge difference in pings. Its worth spending a fair bit on a decent hardware modem, and all the best modems seem to be external.

Supra Express serial externals rock. Go serial if possible to get the modem off your processor. It also has the Rockwell chipset, which rocks (for lack of a better term . Your connection/downloads will never exceed the data transfer speed of the serial port, so you'll be good to go. I've seen these modems online for ~$65 US. Check out http://www.pricewatch.com

The Diamond SupraExpress USB modems use a Luicent chipset which is better for voice but not-so-good for data. (Hope I got that right). Plus, the USB port requires processor cycles to support the modem, so you are not really getting the modem off your processor. So if you need every bit of processor power (like me), go for the serial.

AVOID Winmodems!!!

They are crap. If you have an ISA slot available you can try Zoom #2919 (external version is Model #2949). The ISA version is what I use. Never had a disconnect on that modem. I don't think there is a PCI version, but you could email or call them to verify this.

http://www.zoomtel.com/mkframeallprd.html

The ModemBlaster Flash 56II DI5601 (ISA version) is another one you can find in most computer stores. They have an external modem that is very simular to it (Model De5625)

If you go looking for a modem, make sure it states it will work with DOS or Win3.1. If you call any of these places, tell them you want a modem that will work with DOS or Linux.

The following link has a list of non-Winmodems at the bottom of the page. Most of them should be decent modems.

http://www.o2.net/~gromitkc/winmodem.html

T

I can testify to the poor quality of winmodems (anything win- should be a clue) as I have gotten better pings on other systems with the same jack to earthink who does not suck. Just dont install the browser it is horrible but their support rules with many gamers who will tip you to uncrowded DU#s if you mention your frag-addiction! How do I reset a USR 56kv90 re: PPP/proxy/compression/etc. ?? I am using an init script (s32=2) Thanks!