Router/Modem combo?

thirty-two

boglehead
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2003
Posts
26,989
Reaction score
3,984
So after doing a speed test on that new speed test thread, I realized my modem is not putting out the speeds that I am currently paying for. My modem is almost 4 years old and is not DOCSIS3.0 so I realize my slow speed is probably due to a crappy modem.

I have been researching modems and I see ones that are modem/router combo. Now, I already have a fairly newish router - is it better to get one of each or should I look into the combo?

What do you techies recommend?

Thanks!
 
OP
OP
thirty-two

thirty-two

boglehead
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2003
Posts
26,989
Reaction score
3,984
Never mind, I am just gonna purchase a modem by itself.

Please disregard thread :)
 

jw7

Woof!
LEGACY MEMBER
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2002
Posts
8,194
Reaction score
7
Location
Ahwatukee
IMHO, I'd just call up Cox and ask them for a modem/router.

Just had mine replaced a little while ago and it was only $89, plus they set it up for you and comes preconfigured with an SSID and a WEP key. Saves a lot of hassle and shopping.

And you can ask them to test your exterior cable line. My experience with Cox is that they don't charge anything once the line is outside your house. You only get charged if it is an internal issue.
 

Bada0Bing

Don't Stop Believin'
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Posts
7,702
Reaction score
954
Location
Goodyear
Does the modem really matter? I've had the same modem for 12 years and I get the same speeds as the people in the other thread about upload/download speed. I thought it was just the router that needs to be updated.
 

Chaz

observationist
Joined
Mar 11, 2003
Posts
11,327
Reaction score
7
Location
Wandering the Universe
Does the modem really matter? I've had the same modem for 12 years and I get the same speeds as the people in the other thread about upload/download speed. I thought it was just the router that needs to be updated.

They can start to fail after a while where they disconnect periodically.

Also they need to be DOCSIS 3 compliant to get the fastest speeds.


I vote for the separate modem and router but as integration tends to get better over time that is probably a bit of an old fashioned opinion at some point.
 

Dr. Jones

Has No Time For Love
Joined
Nov 2, 2004
Posts
27,228
Reaction score
16,142
Just bought a new router. Netgear N900. Can't wait to get this bad boy home.
 

MadCardDisease

Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
20,755
Reaction score
14,639
Location
Chandler, Az
Also they need to be DOCSIS 3 compliant to get the fastest speeds.

Yep. If your modem is 12 years old it probably isn't DOCSIS 3 compliant.

I just upgraded to a DOCSIS 3 modem a few months ago and went from 22Mbps at the highest to 60Mbps. I'm finally getting what I'm paying for.
 

MadCardDisease

Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
20,755
Reaction score
14,639
Location
Chandler, Az
Just bought a new router. Netgear N900. Can't wait to get this bad boy home.

I just setup a new ASUS Wireless N900 router (RT-N66U) and it is crazy fast with insane range.

http://www.amazon.com/RT-N66U-Dual-Band-Wireless-N900-Gigabit-Router/dp/B006QB1RPY

With my old Linksys Wireless-N router I was getting max 12Mbps in my room down the hall and that was on a good day. I'm now getting over 33Mbs! Also I used to have to reboot the old router about once a day. Haven't had to do that yet.
 

Bada0Bing

Don't Stop Believin'
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Posts
7,702
Reaction score
954
Location
Goodyear
Yep. If your modem is 12 years old it probably isn't DOCSIS 3 compliant.

I just upgraded to a DOCSIS 3 modem a few months ago and went from 22Mbps at the highest to 60Mbps. I'm finally getting what I'm paying for.

I have no idea what that means, but it sounds cool. I'd love to get those speeds.

Maybe it's time to upgrade. How much did it cost and where did you get it?
 

Staff online

Forum statistics

Threads
552,841
Posts
5,403,330
Members
6,315
Latest member
SewingChick65
Top