Cable Modems--which are the best?

cursor · 11-06-09, 12:31 PM

I'm tired of paying $5/month for a rental of a crappy modem. I'd like to buy one that isn't the entry level crap Comcast gives out.

I see this one, and am intrigued:
http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SB612...dp/B001UI2FPE/

Motorola SB6120 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 eXtreme Broadband Cable Modem

Can anyone compare/contrast/recommend something better for similar $$ (~$100)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

tool_462 · 11-06-09, 12:35 PM

Sorry I can't help but I also rock the "stock" Comcast modem and I'm curious if buying my own will possibly perform better?

Not that I'm suffering, I pay for 12Mb down 1.5 up and get this:

PLOBBY · 11-06-09, 12:41 PM

I paid $60 for a surfboard modem 2.5 years ago now. I was paying $3 a month and it has already been cheaper doing it this way.

Also they had me on a modem with docsis 1.0/1.1? and I was getting like 2mb/s down when paying for 8 down. Yes...its worth it

Edward78 · 11-06-09, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Also they had me on a modem with docsis 1.0/1.1? and I was getting like 2mb/s down when paying for 8 down. Yes...its worth it

Why did the idiots send a 1.0/1.1 modem?

MattNo5ss · 11-06-09, 12:53 PM

I've never had high-speed internet, but a lot of people (including friends of mine) seem to like the Linksys CM100.

mrskruvy · 11-06-09, 01:08 PM

I have that modem. First one was DOA but second seems to work but Comcast cant get the high speed to work upstream. Had it for nearly a year with no probs other then the lack of high up.

Ashura · 11-06-09, 01:26 PM

The enthusiast aftermarket cable modem favorite definitely seems to be Motorola Surfboards. I've used them for years with great results and none of the random downtime problems that I used to get with the stock TWC modems. If you're going to purchase your own, I heartily recommend a Surfboard.

psionic98 · 11-06-09, 04:15 PM

just get something with docsis 3.0 since most cable companies are moving to this in the future.. though 2.0 should be fine for another year or more

hitokiri_808 · 11-06-09, 05:02 PM

Doesn't most ISPs only allow the mac address from their modem to connect?

Ashura · 11-06-09, 05:06 PM

Yes, you have to call the ISP and give them your new modem's MAC address.

cursor · 11-06-09, 11:49 PM

Thanks for the advice, guys. Seems like everyone agrees that this is a good modem for my purposes, so I picked it up. I really appreciate the help!

FireMogle · 11-07-09, 10:14 AM

The surfboard I had a few years ago worked great. The only reason I sold it was due to getting DSL.

xtkxhom3r · 11-07-09, 10:33 PM

dont mean to thread jack but i hate to make a 2nd thread with a similar question...

i have a ambit modem from TWC would it be worth it to upgrade to one of those motorola ones?

i dont really have any problems with my internet but if it can perform better why not right...

SuperDave1685 · 11-07-09, 10:54 PM

The Surfboards tend to be good. I've owned a couple over the years and they worked really well for me. I'd say go ahead and get a surfboard if you can. They tend to have a bit more informative diagnostics page than other modems if I recall.

onefstsnake · 11-08-09, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tool_462

Sorry I can't help but I also rock the "stock" Comcast modem and I'm curious if buying my own will possibly perform better?

Not that I'm suffering, I pay for 12Mb down 1.5 up and get this:

Damn wish my comcast was that fast. Im running the same 12/1.5 setup.

11-06-09, 12:31 PM	#1
cursor Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle, WA USA	Cable Modems--which are the best? I'm tired of paying $5/month for a rental of a crappy modem. I'd like to buy one that isn't the entry level crap Comcast gives out. I see this one, and am intrigued: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SB612...dp/B001UI2FPE/ Motorola SB6120 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 eXtreme Broadband Cable Modem Can anyone compare/contrast/recommend something better for similar $$ (~$100)? Thanks in advance for your help. __________________ I'm returning to PC gaming after 18 months with the Xbox 360. I miss my Civilization! And why does Lost: Via Domus for the 360/PS3 cost $60, yet for PC it's only $30?

11-06-09, 12:35 PM	#2
tool_462 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: St. Paul, MN	Sorry I can't help but I also rock the "stock" Comcast modem and I'm curious if buying my own will possibly perform better? Not that I'm suffering, I pay for 12Mb down 1.5 up and get this: __________________ Q9650 @ 4.68 24/7 -- EVGA GTX 275 @ 685/1624/1200 (folding) -- Gigabyte EP45-UD3P -- 8GB G. Skill Pi Black -- Swiftech Apogee GTZ -- 60GB OCZ Vertex (OS: Win 7 7077 x64) -- OCZ GameXstream -- Woodmaster 1.0

11-06-09, 12:41 PM	#3
PLOBBY Member Join Date: Aug 2004	I paid $60 for a surfboard modem 2.5 years ago now. I was paying $3 a month and it has already been cheaper doing it this way. Also they had me on a modem with docsis 1.0/1.1? and I was getting like 2mb/s down when paying for 8 down. Yes...its worth it __________________ "Oh man oh how I wish I didn't smoke Or drink to reason with my head But sometimes this thick confusion Grows until I cannot bear it at all Needle to the vein Needle to the vein Take this needle from my vein my friend" ~DM

11-06-09, 12:53 PM	#5
MattNo5ss Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: AL	I've never had high-speed internet, but a lot of people (including friends of mine) seem to like the Linksys CM100. __________________ Windows 7 Pro x64 Antec Nine Hundred Intel E8400 E0 @ 4.335GHz, 1.28v Xigmatek HDT-s1283 & Panaflo U1 Gigabyte EP45-UD3P v1.6, FB G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-1066 eVGA GeForce 8800GTX Intel X25-M G2 80GB & WD Caviar Black 640GB PC Power & Cooling 750W Silencer Heatware

11-06-09, 01:26 PM	#7
Ashura Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NYC	The enthusiast aftermarket cable modem favorite definitely seems to be Motorola Surfboards. I've used them for years with great results and none of the random downtime problems that I used to get with the stock TWC modems. If you're going to purchase your own, I heartily recommend a Surfboard. __________________ Main Thinkpad x200 w/ Ultrabase: Intel P8400 2.26GHz, 4GB DDR3, Intel X25-M G2 160GB, 9-cell battery, ASUS Xonar U1, W7 Pro 64-bit File Server AMD Athlon II X2 240, GA-MA74GM-S2, 4GB DDR2, Intel PRO/1000 PCI, Nexus VALUE 430, Lian Li PC-C32B - unRAID Pro: Samsung 4x.1.5TB [1 parity, 3 data], WD 2.5" 160GB [cache] Gaming AMD Phenom II X3 720, GA-MA74GM-S2, 4GB DDR2, OCZ Vertex 120GB, ATI 5850, Intel PRO/1000 PCIe, Nexus VALUE 430, Cooler Master Elite 360, W7 Pro 64-bit Dell 2209WA w/ 3-port HDMI switch \| D-Link DGS-2205 5-port Gigabit Switch Heatware

11-06-09, 01:08 PM	#6
mrskruvy New Member Join Date: Aug 2009	I have that modem. First one was DOA but second seems to work but Comcast cant get the high speed to work upstream. Had it for nearly a year with no probs other then the lack of high up.

11-06-09, 04:15 PM	#8
psionic98 Registered Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phila, PA	just get something with docsis 3.0 since most cable companies are moving to this in the future.. though 2.0 should be fine for another year or more __________________ Its a Gateway..don't harass! AMD x2 3800+ 2gb kingston ram 250+60gb hds ATI 3650 oc'd (minimal 12%) 300w standard psu win xp sp3 Just gimme a real mobo and Ill crash this thing!

11-06-09, 05:02 PM	#9
hitokiri_808 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hawaii	Doesn't most ISPs only allow the mac address from their modem to connect? __________________ Abit AB9-Pro \| E6400 @ 2.85GHz (356x8) \| Xigmatek HDT-S1283 \| 8GB Kingston Value RAM \| ATI 4850 @ 700MHz GPU 1100MHz RAM \| CoolerMaster 500W \| 2x WD3000GLFS RAID 0 \| 2x WD10EACS Matrix RAID Intel DG965SS \| Pentium 530J \| 2x 1GB Crucial DDR2 1066 \| Seasonic M12 700W \| 8x WD10EACS RAID 5 on Perc 5i \| Win Server 2003 My Heatware

11-06-09, 05:06 PM	#10
Ashura Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NYC	Yes, you have to call the ISP and give them your new modem's MAC address. __________________ Main Thinkpad x200 w/ Ultrabase: Intel P8400 2.26GHz, 4GB DDR3, Intel X25-M G2 160GB, 9-cell battery, ASUS Xonar U1, W7 Pro 64-bit File Server AMD Athlon II X2 240, GA-MA74GM-S2, 4GB DDR2, Intel PRO/1000 PCI, Nexus VALUE 430, Lian Li PC-C32B - unRAID Pro: Samsung 4x.1.5TB [1 parity, 3 data], WD 2.5" 160GB [cache] Gaming AMD Phenom II X3 720, GA-MA74GM-S2, 4GB DDR2, OCZ Vertex 120GB, ATI 5850, Intel PRO/1000 PCIe, Nexus VALUE 430, Cooler Master Elite 360, W7 Pro 64-bit Dell 2209WA w/ 3-port HDMI switch \| D-Link DGS-2205 5-port Gigabit Switch Heatware

11-06-09, 11:49 PM	#11
cursor Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle, WA USA	Thanks for the advice, guys. Seems like everyone agrees that this is a good modem for my purposes, so I picked it up. I really appreciate the help! __________________ I'm returning to PC gaming after 18 months with the Xbox 360. I miss my Civilization! And why does Lost: Via Domus for the 360/PS3 cost $60, yet for PC it's only $30?

11-07-09, 10:14 AM	#12
FireMogle Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lawrence, KS	The surfboard I had a few years ago worked great. The only reason I sold it was due to getting DSL. __________________ It's hard to look at it like a learning experence. CPU: Intel E7300 @ 2.66(stock, for now) RAM: 2GB G.Skill DDR3 1066(Stock, for now) Motherboard: Asus P5Q3 Video: MSI N9600GT @ (Stock, for now) + HP Branded Sony Trinitron 21" Hard Drives: SATA Raptor 36GB All Powered by: OCZ 480 Supply

11-07-09, 10:33 PM	#13
xtkxhom3r Team 32 Folding Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Antonio,TX	dont mean to thread jack but i hate to make a 2nd thread with a similar question... i have a ambit modem from TWC would it be worth it to upgrade to one of those motorola ones? i dont really have any problems with my internet but if it can perform better why not right... __________________ [Xeon 3520 (I7 920 D0) - 4.5GHZ \| Swiftech GTZ- MCR 120.3 - 6 Fans] [Rampage Extreme 2 \| 3x2 GB Corsair 1600 ram @ 1800 7-7-7-20] [x2 XFX 4890's \| x2 MCW60's\| MCR120.3 - 3 Fans \| X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty] [x2 OCZ Vertex raid 0 \| x3 WD 2TB \| Coarsair 1000HX \| 50" Samsung] [Lian Li V2000 \| Logitech diNovo Edge \| Logitech G7 \| Scythe Kaze Master] Laptop Service Manuals [ Only on XS do people feel bad because they can "only" run 3DMark06 at 4510.3 MHz.]

11-07-09, 10:54 PM	#14
SuperDave1685 Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: USMC.. OoRah!!	The Surfboards tend to be good. I've owned a couple over the years and they worked really well for me. I'd say go ahead and get a surfboard if you can. They tend to have a bit more informative diagnostics page than other modems if I recall. __________________ Rig- Xeon X3210 G0 @ 3.6Ghz (450 x 8), Abit IP35 Pro, 4 GB GSkill, 8800GTX, SB X-Fi Xtreme Gamer, 2 x74GB Raptors in RAID 0 and 250GB SATA, PCP&C Silencer 750W , D5 pump, Thermochill PA 120.3, D-TEK Fuzion, Lian-Li PC-G75, Samsung 226BW, Logitech Z-5300e THX 5.1 Speakers New Rig!! Make Windows XP look like Vista!! Heatware If the Army and the Navy Ever look on Heaven's scenes, They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines. OoRah!