ADSL modem help

Sudden

Sudden

Sudden

Soldato
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Building a new rig in a couple of days and need to get a nice ADSL modem. I'm currently using the PCI ADSL modem by Zoom, and it's been working fine, no problems or anything. Just thought i'd see if there's something better instead of going for the same thing that I have.

One question I have is, is there a big differnce between internal and external cards? Which would be better? Also, would only a modem be ok or is it better to get a router? I don't think i'm going to be going wireless so don't need something for that. Although, if by spending a bit more I can get something that can do both, that would be nice, then I have the option of changing if I need to.

Don't really know much about them, so help would be appreciated :)
 
Adsl modem advice

I have experience of quite a few modems because I build and maintain pc`s for others. I cannot honestly say that there is a huge performance difference between types - I do find myself recommending external modems over internal ones, I just seem to get fewer problems!
My personal recommendation is to get a router (my fav is the Netgear DG834 - good performance at a good price) A network/ethernet connection gives good performance, is fuss free when setup and working and gives NAT firewall protection automatically because of the way it works. You will also have the flexibility to add future machines to your internet connection.
If you want more info in NAT router security you might like to check out Steve Gibson at www.grc.com - a guy who talks a lot of sense and writes some seriously useful and elegant (and free!!) security software.
 
Agreed on the idea of using a separate modem which uses ethernet to connect - no drivers needed, always on, no dialing.

a guy who talks a lot of sense and writes some seriously useful and elegant (and free!!) security software.
Click to expand...

I'll have what you've been smoking.
 
Apart from a little added security, is there any point in getting a router? I don't have multiple machines to add, just one computer, and am unlikely to have more to add in the future.

Also, what's suddenly happened to the PCI ADSL modems? I went to tottenham court road in london today, loads of computer shops and not even one is stocking a PCI modem? Nor is OCUK from the looks of it. I'm using the Zoom PCI internal modem right now, and haven't had any problems with it since I got it a couple of years ago. Place where I bought it from though, went there today and they don't seem to have it either anymore.

Are there any advantages that an external one has over internal?
 
No need for drivers or any kind of OS support for one. Some might say what little security you gain from NAT is a bonus.
 
Are a lot more expensive though. I've seen a couple of external ADSL USB ones for about 30 pounds and the routers are touching 80 pounds. I wouldn't mind spending the money if I was using the features, but don't see much point in doing it if i'm not connecting more than one computer to it.

As far as only modems go, internal, external, any difference in performance? or is it just a question of space?

Could you also please recommend some in both cases? :)
 
You can get an ADSL router for a hell of a lot less than £80, and £30 for a USB ADSL modem is extortion.

A USB ADSL modem is more or less totally useless.
Limited statistics, crappy drivers, issues with power on some machines, poor speeds. There's a good reason most ISPs have stopped giving them away (and even before, they weren't taking much, if any, money for them).
 
Do the same problems apply to PCI ADSL modems usually? Haven't noticed any with the Zoom PCI that i'm using.

Thing with routers is, I basically don't like the idea of paying for a feature that is one of the main points of a router, and then not even using it. Although if most of the PCI are as bad as the external ones, i might have to.
 
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