So I want to replace my modem

[Cerebral]

I have comcast and I need a new modem. The one's they're giving me (or charging me to use) just aren't cutting the mustard. We have 8 devices hooked up and if I or my wife uses Netflix everything comes to a crawl. Even at times when i'm the only one using Netflix the quality suffers. And, from what I read, only a select number of devices can't be used by a Comcast customer so if anybody here uses Comcast and also uses their own modem can you hook a brother up?

 

[brett05]

I got mine at Tiger Direct. Motorolla. I went with a lower model (Around $80) since I don't have the need, but you can get a nice one for $150ish.

 

[botfly10]

Do you mean wireless router?

 

[botfly10]

also, what is your internet speed?

 

[Cerebral]

Do you mean wireless router?

No, my modem doubles as a wireless router which friends tell me is part of the problem. I hear I could get a stand alone modem and then buy a wireless router but that would mean I'd still have to rent the modem from Comcast.

 

[Ares]

No, my modem doubles as a wireless router which friends tell me is part of the problem. I hear I could get a stand alone modem and then buy a wireless router but that would mean I'd still have to rent the modem from Comcast.

Well what speed of internet are you paying for from Comcast?

I think they offer anywhere from 12MB-50MB.... I pay for a 50MB line myself.

What Bot is likely alluding to is that buying a new modem won't help if the bandwidth you are paying for is simply too small.... Comcast will have of given you a modem capable of delivering the speed you are paying for, so the only bottleneck you could solve on your own would be if the wireless router piece of your rented modem/router is too slow to deliver all of your bandwidth to your home via Wi-Fi.

I bought a 50MB line which they usually exceed nicely at 52-54MB, but I had to get an ASUS Black Dragon wireless router which could actually carry that 50MB+ over Wi-Fi because the older wireless router I had couldn't carry that much bandwidth over the air.

EDIT: Let me know what speed you pay for, and also on your home computer run a speed test at http://www.speedtest.net and let me know what that gives you back.

 

[nvanprooyen]

I have 50mb too...but I'm a little suspicious that they throttle based on the kind of traffic it is. E.g. Netflix. I've been meaning to test my theory out, but haven't had time. E.g. try over VPN vs. not and see if there is a difference.

 

[Cerebral]

Well what speed of internet are you paying for from Comcast?

I think they offer anywhere from 12MB-50MB.... I pay for a 50MB line myself.

What Bot is likely alluding to is that buying a new modem won't help if the bandwidth you are paying for is simply too small.... Comcast will have of given you a modem capable of delivering the speed you are paying for, so the only bottleneck you could solve on your own would be if the wireless router piece of your rented modem/router is too slow to deliver all of your bandwidth to your home via Wi-Fi.

I bought a 50MB line which they usually exceed nicely at 52-54MB, but I had to get an ASUS Black Dragon wireless router which could actually carry that 50MB+ over Wi-Fi because the older wireless router I had couldn't carry that much bandwidth over the air.

EDIT: Let me know what speed you pay for, and also on your home computer run a speed test at http://www.speedtest.net and let me know what that gives you back.

I have the Blast package from Comcast which is 50 Mbs. I ran the speed test and my results were Download Speed 25.09 and Upload Speed 6.92

 

[botfly10]

If you have 25 down and 6 up, you should be able to run netflix on like 4 machines at the same time and still browse the internet or whatever.

You should run speedtest again next time you notice a slowdown on your network.

Really, the modem/router would have to be a serious piece of shit for you to notice a bottleneck unless you are doing some serious gaming or some shit.

 

[botfly10]

Anyway, here is the router and modem I use. They are pretty high end and you can go cheaper for sure...

Modem:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825390001

Router:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320091

 

[Cerebral]

If you have 25 down and 6 up, you should be able to run netflix on like 4 machines at the same time and still browse the internet or whatever.

You should run speedtest again next time you notice a slowdown on your network.

Really, the modem/router would have to be a serious piece of shit for you to notice a bottleneck unless you are doing some serious gaming or some shit.

That's what I thought but there are times when i'm watching Netflix home alone and the quality is terrible. Or, when I'm playing online and my connection is down to 2 bars or worse.

 

[botfly10]

The next question is what wireless standard is your modem and computers using - a, b, g, or n?

 

[botfly10]

That's what I thought but there are times when i'm watching Netflix home alone and the quality is terrible. Or, when I'm playing online and my connection is down to 2 bars or worse.

Oh, well if you open your wireless window and see that the speed is dropping because of a weak signal, than thats probably your issue.

 

[botfly10]

btw, that router I posted is pretty much the industry tank right now. Its not the fastest you can buy right now, but its stable and reliable with good range. Which is a big deal cause somehow the majority of routers are pieces of shit.

 

[botfly10]

You can look at this thread where we were talking about routers:

http://www.chicitysports.com/forum/showthread.php/37200-Looking-for-a-new-router?highlight=asus

 

[Ares]

Assuming you ran the speed test on wireless, I think your router is your likely bottleneck rather than the modem.

I would bet if you plug right in to the modem and do a speed test off the ethernet you get 50+MB down.

My advice would be to look at getting a better wireless router, shut off wireless on the router component of the modem, and use the wireless off your new router.

I recommend http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320091

I have it and have been very pleased with the speed and signal strength I get around my entire home.

 

[botfly10]

lol, thats the same router I was talkin about above.

 

[botfly10]

One last thing... if you DO get a new router, its worth paying the money to get one that comes highly recommended. A router is the kind of appliance that once its set up, you should be able to forget about it and not have to **** with it ever again.

Unfortunate, so many routers are pieces of shit, that can be kind of hard to find. Imo, its worth spending the money to get one you know will be a tank and won't be dropping connections or having ip conflicts all the fuckin time.

 

[brett05]

For me, I am a Linsys/Cisco supporter. I have never had an issue with performance or range not once. It's also more of a business class so you pay a touch more but you kinda get what you pay for.

I uses ASUS for a lot of things though and quite honestly I have never run into an issue with their other ASUS products so I think the advice of botfly10 and Ares is valid as well.

 

[Ares]

For me, I am a Linsys/Cisco supporter. I have never had an issue with performance or range not once. It's also more of a business class so you pay a touch more but you kinda get what you pay for.

I uses ASUS for a lot of things though and quite honestly I have never run into an issue with their other ASUS products so I think the advaice of botfly10 and Ares is valid as well.

I have had Linksys and Cisco stuff before and never had much of a problem with either.... Netgear I had issues with some of their stuff.

I just have had good experiences with ASUS products so much over the last 10 years that I decided to try that router that bot was recommending and it was great.

Bots point is a good one though.... you can spend 30-50$ for a router with "meh" reviews or you can spend the 75-100$ for a router with great reviews and I was happy to pay the extra 25-50$ to get something that just works and I don't have to worry about it.

The Netgear I had in college was a pain, wireless always fucking up and needing to be restarted.... I got a Linksys and it was better, had to keep re-forwarding ports on it for my roommates cause for some reason it wouldn't keep the static IP mappings I made for all of our laptops/phones/etc. So I guess that was the only problem I had with the Linksys, perhaps I lied earlier in my post lol.

I have had the ASUS Black Dragon since July 2013 and have yet to have to restart it or re-forward ports or anything and it provides full signal through my whole house.... I am guessing Cisco or Linksys may have routers of a similar class, just don't go for the standard 39.99$ Linksys at Best Buy