Winmodem that bad?

Hi folks - I'm planning to order a new Dell system pretty soon, and for some reason their top of the line desktops now only come with PCI v.90 winmodems. Word on VROC and such is that winmodems are no good for on-line GPL. I have a nearly new USR v.90 "real" modem (ISA) in my present Dell, but for reasons not worth explaining, it would be difficult to swap into the new PC. So ... I'm interested in more opinions, information references, etc. on whether winmodems are really significantly worse for on-line racing. And if so, whether those problems still apply to winmodems in current high-spec systems (PIII 550, at least 128 RAM, etc.). Experiences with USB modems would also be of interest. TIA for your thoughts. Skip

Unfortunately, all of the current crop of PCI modems are WinModems, and are not good for online *** - the reason WinModems are so cheap is that they use the CPU to handle a lot of the tasks that a "real" modem handles on board. For general internet stuff, this isn't such a problem, but for online ***, you're going to take a performance hit. Rick

<snip> So ... I'm interested in more opinions, information references, If you have not already checked it out, see Alison's GPL site. There you will find a very comprensive discussion of modems, internet connections and online racing. http://simracing.com/alison/gpl/ Last week I switched from a 56k/isa modem and AOL, to a USB modem and a much better isp. My ping times to GPL servers have dropped by about 60% and I have not been disconnected from one race since the switch :-) don []-(_)-[]

WinModems are hash. A lot of the people who complain about connection problems on the computer newsgroups will often find that the cause is their WinModem. Why is it that you can't transfer your other modem to your new computer? Dell make excellent systems, and knowing Dell you're bound to enjoy the use of it, however if it's on-line *** you're looking for, look somewhere other than at WinModems. That's not to say that you shouldn't buy the system in question, but just change the modem, or install a new one. Thomas Ford "Please remove NOSPAMMING from e-mail address to reply"

(very) Supid question! Whats an winmodem? I have an Diamond Supra Express 33.6! Is that a winmodem? (I didnt hear that word, maybe its because im writing from germany, and here it has an other name) Please dont laugh. Servus Andreas

Winmodems are modems that do not have as many chips on the card. (the larger chips that is) Essentially, with a winmodem, much of the work previously done by the modem's hardware, is now done via software and the cpu. Generally winmodems are $50(US) cheaper than similar "regular" modems. Take a look at your card, or the box if it has a picture of the modem on it.. if it has only one chip, it's a winmodem, if it has at least 3 chips, then you are probably safe assuming it is NOT a winmodem. Unfortunately, while winmodems are ok for surfing and chatting and dloading, they induce another layer into online *** that ususally makes for a higher lag # and, as in cpu intensive games like GPL, slow down your online *** experience and in the process drag down the other guys too. (whew! talk about a sentence run-on) dave henrie

I've got a new Dell pIII-500 with a winmodem. I was able to race SCGT online last night with 6 others on the Yahoo SCGT club. Haven't tried GPL and VROC because of what I've read about the winmodem, but SCGT worked great. -- David Reimertz

> I've got a new Dell pIII-500 with a winmodem. I was able to race SCGT > online last night with 6 others on the Yahoo SCGT club. Haven't tried > GPL and VROC because of what I've read about the winmodem, but SCGT > worked great. Take no notice - I have a P233 with a WinModem, and it works fine with VROC and SpyBoy. I think it's quite important to get a sound card and digital gameport so that no other devices are competing for interrupts - I did have a horrible time online until I got a SBLive Value and PDPI card, but now it's not a problem. I get average pings of 300-400ms, which is fine for GPL. On a bad day the pings go up and I can get disconnected a few times, but I think this has more to do with the "weather" on the internet. Presumably upgrading the modem would improve matters, but the point is that the WinModem is *not* a show-stopper. Don't know what SCGT is like online, but GPL is *fantastic*!

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> > I've got a new Dell pIII-500 with a winmodem. I was able to race SCGT > > online last night with 6 others on the Yahoo SCGT club. Haven't tried > > GPL and VROC because of what I've read about the winmodem, but SCGT > > worked great. > Take no notice - I have a P233 with a WinModem, and it works fine with > VROC and SpyBoy.

Wouldnt you like for your online play to be better? No doubt this has helped you get away with using a winmodem. Those pings are marginal for GPL online and say nothing about lost packets. Do yourself and others, who are affected by the warping caused by your marginal modem, a favor and get 33.6 non-winmodem. This is not a major investment compared to the rest of your system. And please don't encourage others to repeat your mistake. Marty

Buy an external USB modem and thank me later. -Gary

Have you compared this to the lag you get with a standard modem, on the same computer? Thomas Ford "Please remove NOSPAM from e-mail address to reply"

Sorry - I wasn't recommending a WinModem in any way - just saying that it's possible to use one online. I don't normally experience warping, and if I do I disconnect anyway. I probably will get a "proper" modem at some point!

It's fine in the same way that a Porsche 911 is fine - it's great until you stick it next to a McLaren F1. No matter if the Winmodem is fine it's still taking away some portion of your system's time that wouldn't otherwise be lost. Whether that pays off against the money you save is down to individual values of price v's performance. Cheers! John