Buying a Modem

[dhill89]

Wasn't exactly sure where to post this so I'll apologize in advance if it's not in the appropriate section.

I'm moving out pretty soon and I'll be getting comcast(unfortunately the only option around me) performance internet (which says the download speeds are up to 12mbps). They charge $7/mo to rent their modem, which seems like a really bad deal having looked at the prices of modems. I'm wondering what you guys would suggest I buy - I know very little about shopping for modems and would like to have the highest download speeds I can - I download a lot, play games online, and stream videos.

Thanks.

 

[Emerald]

Motorola SB6120

 

[dhill89]

It's really worth spending that much?

 

[calmstateofmind]

It's really worth spending that much?

Are you planning on having your internet for more than 8-10 months? If so, you'll have spent that much anyway by then. Seems to be a pretty decent modem too.

Check Newegg's page of this device and read the reviews.

Motorola SB6120 on Newegg

 

[dhill89]

Yeah I'll need it for more than 10 months, but I was hoping someone could expand on why the 6120 is so much better than something more moderately priced like this http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SURFboard-SB5101U-DOCSIS-Cable/dp/B002M3SHXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311647446&sr=8-1

I'm willing to spend more if it will really improve my performance.

 

[calmstateofmind]

I was hoping someone could expand on why the 6120 is so much better...

A major feature that the 6120 has over the SB5101U is DOCSIS 3.0, whereas the latter only has 2.0. DOCSIS 3.0 features link aggregation, meaning the ability to combine multiple channels, thus increasing throughput as well as offer redundancy.

Consider the following:

DOCSIS 2.0 only supports one channel , with a maximum throughput per channel of 42.88 Mbps (for downstream) and a maximum upstream of 30.73 Mbps, resulting in a mere 42Mbps for down and 30Mbps for up.

With DOCSIS 3.0 though, channels are able to be combined (with no channel limitation, boiling down to physical and topological limits), creating a much larger throughput for each. Say you have 4 channels and you're using the 6120, instead of getting 42Mbps for down, you instead get ~171Mbps, and for upstream you'll get ~122Mbps (n x 42, n x 30, where n is 4).

Also, DOCSIS 2.0 doesn't support IPv6 management, unless you upgrade firmware, whereas 3.0 comes fully supported of IPv6 already. Lastly, the 6120 has a gigabit connection, but the other is only 10/100.

To me, it's definitely worth the extra $30, especially since you're going to be using this modem for some time to come, and you don't want to buy already outdated equipment if you're actually wanting to keep high speeds down the road.

 

[dhill89]

Great, thanks for the reply. I appreciate the help.

 

[Emerald]

before you are ready to save the $30 make sure that you ISP's still supports DOCSIS 2.0 modems

 

[dhill89]

I'm going to go with the 6120 - you convinced me.

 

[calmstateofmind]

I'm going to go with the 6120 - you convinced me.

Glad to hear it...let us know how it works out for you!

 

[riser]

I would just rent one. If it gets ruined, they replace it. If anything changes, you have to buy a new one.

Buying your own modem has become such a scam in my opinion.

 

[calmstateofmind]

Buying your own modem has become such a scam in my opinion.

Why? Doesn't everything else in this world have a price tag? You use it, you pay for it. Seems logical to me.

 

[riser]

I have Comcast. They will give me a one time discount if I purchase my own cable modem. For a month or two that is beneficial. After that the price is only a couple dollars cheaper per month. Considering just yesterday a friend's modem went out from getting too hot due to the weather, it seems to be the better option is to rent. You can have the modem replaced at any time or get a newer version. If this happens once every 18 months you're ahead of the curve. Even once per year you're still ahead of the game.