New gigabit ISP speed, need a modem and router.

[Longshot33]

Hello,

I just upgraded to gigabit speed with comcast. I'm getting a bit overwhelmed as I research and go deeper into this rabbit hole.

My needs are a modem and router (or combo?) that provide the fastest speeds and range, especially wifi. We have many devices that need fast streaming and we have 2 gaming computers. One is next to the modem on ethernet and the other is in a finished basement on wifi.

We are ok spending a few hundred if needed on the equipment. I started off looking at modem router combos like the Netgear X4S c7800, but then I started to read about the new AX technology and didn't want to be left behind or buying outdated equipment. I also started to read about that tech being too new to utilize properly but doesn't that stuff usually get worked out? Which is why I'm here. I'm started to research the RT-AX88U, R7800, RAX80 as separate options but realized I needed advice here.

If you suggest the separate route, which modem is the best as well? Btw I would also need a suggestion for a wifi adapter for the basement gaming PC that works great with whatever option.

That's a ton for any help and advice provided.

 

[Datalink]

Given that you're on Comcast, have a look at this ongoing thread over in the DSLReports Comcast section:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r32204733-Equip-Upgrade-to-Netgear-CM1100-worth-it~start=90

I'd definitely post a question in that thread, or perhaps in the larger Comcast section:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/comcast

I believe the answer that you will receive will be to buy a DOCSIS 3.1 Broadcom based modem such as the Netgear CM1000, Arris Surfboard SB8200, Motorola MB8600, Netgear CM1100, or Netgear CM1200. Here's the list of Broadcom BCM3390 based modems from Wifidevi:

https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Special:Ask?title=Special:Ask&q=<q>[[CPU1+model::~BCM3390*]]+OR+[[CPU2+model::~BCM3390*]]</q>&po=?Embedded+system+type=Type ?FCC+ID ?Manuf ?Manuf+product+model=Manuf.+mdl ?CPU1+model=CPU1 ?CPU1+clock+speed ?CPU2+model=CPU2 ?CPU2+clock+speed=CPU2+clock+speed ?FLA1+amount=FLA1 ?FLA2+amount=FLA2 ?RAM1+amount=RAM1 ?RAM2+amount=RAM2 ?WI1+chip1+model=WI1+chip1 ?WI1+chip2+model=WI1+chip2 ?WI1+MIMO+config=WI1+MIMO ?WI2+chip1+model=WI2+chip1 ?WI2+chip2+model=WI2+chip2 ?WI2+MIMO+config=WI2+MIMO ?Supported+802dot11+protocols=PHY+modes ?OUI ?OUI+(ethernet)=OUI+(Eth) ?Estimated+year+of+release=Est.+year&eq=yes&p[format]=broadtable&order[0]=ASC&sort_num=&order_num=ASC&p[limit]=500&p[offset]=&p[link]=all&p[sort]=&p[headers]=show&p[mainlabel]=&p[intro]=&p[outro]=&p[searchlabel]=…+further+results&p[default]=&p[class]=sortable+wikitable+smwtable



From there, you can decide whether or not its too soon to buy a Wifi 802.11ax router. Thats a tougher one I believe, do you buy the ax router first, then the devices, or buy the devices and then bite the bullet and buy the ax router? Kind of a chicken and egg situation ... which comes first?

 

[Longshot33]

Thank you for the advice. I'm looking into those modems now. I have no clue what to do about the 802.11ax. I'm leaning towards it I think.

 

[Datalink]

Buying a Broadcom based modem will keep you away from issues with Intel's Puma modem design and any troubleshooting you might have to do with any of Intel's modems.

A DOCSIS 3.1 modem should provide a few years of use with 3.1 implementation by ISPs including Comcast.

The router is a rather interesting question. Its still early days for 802.11ax. From what I can see, the standard itself has not been finalized and won't be until 2020. If you look at the following IEEE Working Group Project Timelines, skip down to the 802.11ax line in the upper group. That line shows that 802.11ax won't be voted on until mid 2020. So, there might be changes in the standard that the vendors will have to deal with. Ok, it is what it is. Hopefully that won't impact on the performance for 802.11 b/g/n/ac for any 802.11ax routers.

http://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm#tgax

Personal opinion, its early days for 802.11ax, so the choice is to bite the bullet and buy an ax router with the thought that it should provide a few years of service, or, stick with an 802.11 b/g/n/ac router and upgrade somewhere down the road. It all depends on your crystal ball view of buying wifi devices over the upcoming few years.

I think that my vote, if I was buying an 802.11ax router today, would be for the Asus RT-AX88U. There are issues with Asus routers in terms of function bugs that have been around for a few years which users can find more than annoying. It all depends on how you use the router's interface. So, thats a drawback. On the plus side, there is considerable support for Asus routers with Asuswrt-Merlin which improves or refines the performance of Asus routers and with the ongoing development of various add-ons for Asus routers. For that support alone, I would vote for the RT-AX88U. If you don't or haven't been keeping abreast of the Asuswrt-Merlin world, I'd suggest reading thru some of the threads in this forum including the upcoming Asuswrt-Merlin release and the AMTM thread which shows the add-on gateway so to speak for loading additional add-ons. Each of those add-ons have their own thread which you can refer to for additional information:

https://www.snbforums.com/forums/asuswrt-merlin.42/

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/beta-asuswrt-merlin-384-11-beta-is-now-available.56325/

https://www.snbforums.com/threads/amtm-the-snbforum-asuswrt-merlin-terminal-menu.42415/

For any router that you might consider, outside of an Asus router, have a look at the forum thread for that router, which might be hosted on the manufacturers web site.

The one plus factor for buying an 802.11ax router is that at least two routers have quad core processors instead of dual core processors, so, that should definitely improve performance over dual core processors. If you're running gigabit rates, that's worth considering. Even if its too early to gain anything from 802.11ax wifi, you'll gain in terms of better overall performance with a quad core processor onboard.

Here's the SNB review of an Asus and Netgear 802.11ax router:

https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wir...-first-wifi6-peek-asus-rt-ax88u-netgear-rax80


Now, one other item to consider, if you're satisfied with your current wifi router, consider reusing a pc, or building a pc to load PfSense or similiar system. Let that router do the heavy lifting and leave your current router to operate as an access point. Or, you could consider a Mikrotik router or Ubiquiti router with Unifi access points. It depends on whether or not you prefer to stay with typical consumer equipment or move up to Mikrotik or Ubiquiti equipment. Lots to consider .....

 

[Trip]

As always, beyond budget, which you've stated, this depends largely on what services you want to run, at how fast, distributed in whichever ways across your house.

First off, regardless of which way you go with gear downstream of the modem, you do want a simple, plain-Jane cable modem to handle the connection, not an all-in-one. If you can get a DOCSIS 3.1 modem from Comcast, preferably for free, and its performance is proven, then go that route first. Otherwise, if all they're trying to push on you is an all-in-one (AIO) modem+router, simply avoid the brain damage (often times the ISP AIO's don't even bridge correctly) and roll your own. First off, you want to make sure the model you pick is either present on Comcast's modem compatibility list, or is well-vetted by enough feedback around the 'net, but preferably both. Beyond that, as @Datalink mentioned, you want a Broadcom based chipset (no Intel Puma 6) and DOCSIS 3.1 if possible. The Netgear CM1000 appears a bit more suited and less sensitivity-prone for Xfinity 1Gb than the Motorola SB8200 at this point.

That settled, we move onto routing, switching and wifi. If you're just looking at today's latest all-in-one consumer boxes to plunk down in the corner, wire in whatever you can and pray wifi makes it across the house, then certainly you can go that route. I'd definitely stay with AC Wave 2, though, and let the AX betaware festival continue until at least after the first IETF ratified draft (happening later this year, if they stay on schedule) and products stabilize around the draft (likely 6-12 months or more after that - I'd say mid-2020 at the earliest, and that's probably optimistic, still).

However, if your house is sizable (say, over 2,500 square feet) and/or solid wifi and/or wired connectivity is of any real importance across the house, then that plus the network pro in me will always advocate for discrete components: separate gear for routing, switching and wireless. It will yield better performance, resiliency and upgrade-ability all the way around; ie. you're free to upgrade wifi without tearing down the whole house of cards as you replace one AIO for another in a couple year's time. On the flip side, if that all sounds great but is simply something you don't want to get into, I completely understand, and won't bother delving into recommendations for that approach unless you express interest.

 

[Klueless]

Most services will supply a modem, often for "free", other times for a modest monthly fee. I always start with their modem.

In my experience I've found if an ISP can't readily identify a problem then they will tell you it's your problem. I can trouble shoot up to the modem thus I can usually determine if it's my problem or theirs. If I owned the modem I'd be screwed.

 

[Trip]

I'd agree with @Klueless and put extra emphasis on using the ISP's model if you can get away with it, even an all-in-one bridged as just a modem if the resulting link is reliable enough.

 

[GaryM...]

I'd agree with @Klueless and put extra emphasis on using the ISP's model if you can get away with it, even an all-in-one bridged as just a modem if the resulting link is reliable enough.

you are right, bridge the existing modem and put a router behind it, put 3 routers behind it in parallel and have 3 wan (internet) addresses. The modem disappears in bridge mode.

 

[coxhaus]

I know with Spectrum and gig internet you are required to use Spectrum's modem. It also sounds like you don't always end up with 1 gig internet. I seems it can vary from 1 gig down 600 meg. You might be better off buying fiber internet.