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high latency winmodem

Just got a Compaq Pres/P2/450MHz/128MB/Win98 with a SupraExpress K56i/V90/PCI modem. This is a winmodem and I've already been advised to chuck it. The problem I have is that although throughput is fine, latency really sucks (about 2-4 times higher than other puters sitting next to it). It's so bad that for instance Internet gameplay is impossible. Question: Is there anything I can tweak to improve latency??? (I've tried decreasing IP packet size and killing off all background junk - didn't help)

syzygy

I hate winmodems too. :)

I've fopund latency is more a function of ISP than modme... if ither modems are fine w/ this ISP, it could be that the ISP does not like that particular modem. see if they hav a different line available. ALso see if they have a 33.6 k line, see what sort of latancy you get over that.

mcdonc

Stuart Cheswick's paper "It's the Latency, Stupid" contains a link to (possibly outdated) user polls regarding latency for particular modems.

It's a great read anyway.

http://rescomp.stanford.edu/~cheshire/rants/Latency.html

mlonnrot

ASKER

Thanks for the link - good reading! If you care to follow Stuart's link to "Modem Latencies" and then "more recommendations" you can cut-n-paste an answer to my question and get the credits.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

mcdonc

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mlonnrot

ASKER

As a final proof point, I found an old USR 28.8 in an abandoned office at work, which I took home and tested. It outperforms the Supra Express 56i winmodem 3 to 1 in latency. Death to the winmodems!

mcdonc

:) Software sucks.