Setting up a network in my new house...mesh or modem + router?

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pcsupport14

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Sep 6, 2017
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Hey all, just moved into a 3600 sqft house and never had to deal with this sort of thing while living in smaller spaces.

I'm on a arris dg1670a modem/router combo from Spectrum (TWC). We pay for 100mbps. This is located in the basement next to my gaming PC, which I hardwire into, but we're having problems getting good connection throughout the house upstairs.

I'm thinking I either want to:

1) Invest in a mesh or 2) Invest in a new modem and stronger router

Not sure which and I need help filling in my knowledge gap here. With mesh, I want something with a wired backhaul, right? So not google wifi, but netgear orbi? What is the difference between this one and this one? If it's just year released, what are the drawbacks of buying the older/cheaper? There are a ton of options/model numbers for orbi alone and it's borderline intimidating at this point. From what I can tell, I also want orbi > Google due to security options. And if I'm going this route, do I still need to invest in a modem? If so, what is the best modem for gaming/multitasking/work?

Mesh seems more appealing, provided it will work and I don't understand the first thing about buying a new modem + router. With mesh, having the controls at your fingertips in a phone app is nice. My priority is as close to perfect as possible gaming/work performance on the wired pc connection and a strong connection throughout the house to connect 8-10 devices at a time.

Thanks for any guidance.
 
Solution
failboat
Yes, if it's compatible.

It looks like the 8x4 is much less expensive.
I wouldn't over buy on the modem, unless you think you will upgrade quite a bit very soon.
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pcsupport14

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Sep 6, 2017
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One floor with a basement, sorry. Not sure on the cabling, I'll have to pop open some covers.
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

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If you have ethernet cabling, then you could use MESH but with wired connectivity between the nodes OR use WIFI access points connected via wired ethernet. Getting your stationary streaming devices (TVs) onto wired ethernet will improve your streaming.
 
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failboat

failboat

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Feb 19, 2010
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Do you have any laptops or phones that have mimo or 2x2 mimo?
It's hard to say if a high end all in one will work, even if it's placed in the center.
To pull a 100 on wifi you really need line of sight and mimo, but not getting a 100 on some stuff might be fine. web pages and what not still load fast with 40. streaming video only uses up to 10 or so with HD. shaping this way can help with bufferbloat.

A router only providing basic NAT doesn't need to be expensive. The wifi is the piece that costs money or if you are trying to run cpu intensive services off the router. the modem is even more basic so as long as it's not bottlenecking your line it's fine. You can use the isp one unless it makes since financially to pay for your own if that's supported. I'd recommend not using it's wifi.



 
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pcsupport14

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Sep 6, 2017
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Turns out I'm a dummy and those are all phone lines.

Would it better to grab an orbi (I want this b/c of wired backload to counteract the negatives of strictly wifi, right?) or replace the ISP combo with my own modem and router and hope it is strong enough to push a quality signal throughout the house? I'm sure "gaming" routers are just marketing garbage to inflate the price, but is something like a nighthawk going to better push a signal than the isp provided arris?
 
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pcsupport14

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Sep 6, 2017
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iPhone 7s run 2x2 mimo right? So yes, if so. And pushing the 100 throughout the house with a quality connection with either a mesh like orbi or my own router + modem is a crapshoot no matter what? The PC will be wired in either way, it's the upstairs wireless connections that drop out.



 
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failboat

failboat

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Feb 19, 2010
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What's the square footage and number of floors? Are any of the interior walls anything besides thin drywall?

Is running a single cable out for one access point out of the question?

Wireless mesh or powerline->AP are sometimes the only options. both are expensive and not great.

I use a single AP in 1,000 sqft per floor, 2 floor home with drywall interior walls, no congestion from other houses.
I get 200-280Mbs 2x2 mimo on 5G everywhere when no one is home on a unifi ap lite mounted on the ceiling in the center.
When other devices are using wifi I get 80-200.
testing using iperf3.

you will need a 4x4 mimo AP with support for dual 2x2 mimo for each to have that connection.
a 2x2 can do dual single mimo which is fast enough for 100Mbs with line of sight.
If people are on different APs then they will both get the fastest or if you have mimo on both 2.4 and 5.

gaming routers are all overpriced. the best "gaming" router is actually $50. the edge router X. it has QoS for bufferbloat.
besides QoS the router doesn't do much for gaming. there won't be much difference between wired 1Gbs routers and wifi sucks for gaming.
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/
 
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pcsupport14

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Sep 6, 2017
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One floor and a basement, isp router/modem combo in basement hardlined to the pc. 3600 sq ft, nothing but drywall.

Thanks for the info and link, have been looking for a site like that. Found this interesting as it relates to our 4x4 discussion:

"Bottom line: If you've tried everyting else and still aren't happy with your home's Wi-Fi performance, you're better off trying one of these systems than spending about the same for an AC5300 / 5400 BHR. We recommend Orbi vs. three-device systems on the strength of its 4x4 backhaul."

From here: https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/basics/wireless-basics/33029-how-to-buy-a-wireless-router-2017-edition?start=1

I might just try the orbi then. Am I understanding it right that I need to buy a modem + the orbi? So get this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJNDYX8?tag=price222-20&ascsubtag=315586530&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER) and a modem? Can you please recommend the best modem for hardwired gaming that would work with spectrum internet?

Thanks!



 
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failboat

failboat

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Feb 19, 2010
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You can keep your current one and turn off it's wifi.
If you have an attic and can get a wire in it for a ceiling mounted AP it's going to be better than wireless mesh.

If you want to buy your own just check with them on what's compatible.
You normally lose support if you don't rent from them.
They assume everything is your fault.

With DOCSIS 3.0 16x4 isn't too expensive and can handle a lot higher than 100Mbs.
3.0 8x4 should be enough as well.
For really high bandwidth packages you might need 3.1 which is double the price or more.
 
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pcsupport14

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Sep 6, 2017
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Ok so I'd want this one (https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB6183-Docsis-Packaging/dp/B01ITIXYR0/), which could in theory give me room to upgrade from the 100mbps up to about 600.

 
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