Need a new Modem/Router combo for 200mbps internet?

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ericdecker

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I currently pay for 200mbps internet, but my current setup is throttling me to 85mbps. However, I'm not sure what I need to look for in a new modem or router so that I can utilize all (or most) of the bandwidth (wired using cat6). I need recommendations about what router and or modem to get.(and which one or both is the actual problem)

I currently have a Belkin N450 router and a Netgear CM500 modem. I'm not sure if I would need just a new router, or a new modem, or both.
 
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androbourne

androbourne

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Honestly cheapo routers under performance in terms of data transfer. I'd look into something like the Nighthawk.

I personally purchased a barebones mini PC and installed PFSense on it. This way I could spec my system to support 300mbps connection that I have at my house while also having a good firewall. But that requires some technical knowledge.
 
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bill001g

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Your first step is to hook a pc directly to the modem and see if you can get the advertised speeds. You will likely have to reboot the modem every time you change what you connect to it.

You are likely going to be somewhat limited in what modem you can buy. You need to check what the ISP supports and pick from that list if you feel the need to replace the modem. I suspect though the modem is not the bottleneck. The ISP should not have allowed you to buy a 200mbps service if the modem did not meet their requirements for it.

It is strange you are being throttled but I suspect you mean when you use wireless since that router should easily do 200mbps wan-lan on ethernet.

If your problem is via wireless then it is much more likely that the end device is causing the issue. Most end devices do not transmit at full power and do not have things like 4 antenna to even attempt to use some of the faster protocols.
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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Fully agree with @bill001g. Connect directly to the modem. Verify your speed. Check the specs of the router you have. To use 200Mbit ISP, you have to have a router with gigabit WAN and LAN ports. If your router doesn't have gigabit ports, you will not be able to use 200Mbit ISP speed.
Take a look at the "router ranker" over at smallnetbuilder.com -- https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/tools/rankers/router/view
The current top router is the R7800.
 
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ericdecker

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My PC is wired. I connected directly to modem and got 120mbps.
 
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ericdecker

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Got 120mbps direct from modem, so it looks like I need to upgrade my router.
 
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ericdecker

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That's what I did. Connected my computer directly to the modem - no router. Connected through router = 85 mbps. Connnected through modem only = 120mbps.
 
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ericdecker

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True. But back to the router, perhaps instead of a new router, I could get a switch instead since they are cheaper and wire my PC directly from my modem and still use the router I have?
 
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kanewolf

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You could, if you want only the PC to have internet connectivity and to be exposed directly to internet attacks. That is not a good long term situation. Connecting quickly for a test is one thing, but leaving a Windows PC connected directly to a modem is a security issue.

A switch won't work with a modem. The ISP only provides one public IP address. The WAN port on the router gets assigned that port and then creates private IP addresses for all your LAN devices. You need that functionallity. A switch does not provide that. If you don't want WIFI then get a Mikrotik Hex router for $50. One of the best wired routers available.
 
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androbourne

androbourne

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That is not 100% accurate. ISP can do WAN and LAN. By default most ISPs does dymanic WAN/LAN with DHCP. This is why he can plug his PC into the modem and get internet. (and to mention he could also use a layer 3 switch that does routing...) So yes, he could put a switch there. It just wont do anything in terms of security.

@ericdecker Honestly dont cheap out like I stated in my originally post. Normally lower end cheap routers more often then not, cant even support 100+ mpbs connections. Get something like I listed above (nighthawk) or comparable router. If nighthawk is too expensive I'm sure you can find cheaper that will provide the MPBS you need.

Or even do as I stated. The reason I purchased a mini pc and put PFSense on it was because it was better then the nighthawk and provided way better security. But like I stated. That requires some tech know how on doing this.
 
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