Buying a Cable modem...considering a few. Would love input.

[LiquidEvilGaming]

Have never owned a cable modem outright but with comcasts $10 a month rental it seems better to buy one outright now.

We cut all of our TV services and downgraded the internet to a level of speed we will actually use. I'd like to cut costs even further by owning a modem vs leasing. I have a decent size gift card to target (60$) so i would rather get it there considering. At moment i am looking at the following modems.
Arris: (SB6141) Motorola: MB7420 TP-Link: (TC-7620)
Any thoughts as to which among the bunch is the most reliable?
Best customer service?
For reference, our internet is now 10MBPS performance starter with Comcast.
Many thanks in advance.

[tp4tissue]

Well, first thing is to check if you have any alternatives vs Comcast..  They throttle torrents still more so than other providers..

Cable modem wise,  there isn't a whole lot of difference, as long as what you get is compatible..


is that 10MByte/s  or 10Mbit/s

[Spopepro]

No one makes "good" consumer cable/dsl modems. Buy the cheapest compatible option and replace it when it burns itself out in 3 years. To get something nice, you have to go pro with edge/wan bridge equipment, but the cost becomes massive.

[LiquidEvilGaming]

Well, first thing is to check if you have any alternatives vs Comcast..  They throttle torrents still more so than other providers..

Cable modem wise,  there isn't a whole lot of difference, as long as what you get is compatible..


is that 10MByte/s  or 10Mbit/s

10Megabits i'm not even sure megabytes is possible?

And they are all compatible virtually every major modem is with comcast the list for devices they have is huge.  Sadly though as with the majority of the US they are the only provider in my area short of Slow arse DSL. 

[LiquidEvilGaming]

No one makes "good" consumer cable/dsl modems. Buy the cheapest compatible option and replace it when it burns itself out in 3 years. To get something nice, you have to go pro with edge/wan bridge equipment, but the cost becomes massive.

As i would have figured much being the same with networking equipment.  That said among the bunch i would imagine one has to stand out as a bit better and sadly my Modem knowledge is virtually none.  I know with ones i have rented i have had some be rock solid...and other ones so unreliable with needing constant reboots i demanded a different model from my ISP.

[tp4tissue]

Comcast offers 150mbit,  which is 18.75 Megabyte/s

Tp4 can only afford the Fios cheapo 87mbit, 10.875 Megabyte/s..  But fios doesn't throttle torrents as much,  so in the long run, I'm getting more throughput vs comcast..


The problem with cable modems is the same as with more powerful routers..  They're not actively cooled..


If you're willing,  You can take it apart, cut a hole on the side of the housing, Put an 80mm or 120mm fan on it,  hook up the fan to an old cellphone DC  charger that outputs ~5-7 volts..


It doesn't matter if the fan doesn't spin at full speed, or has low rpm..  The cable modem will only need very little airflow to greatly extend its lifespan..


I have an N66u router, that thing was pushing 87 Celcius in the summer..  I run it open chassis now, with a 120mm fan blowing at it,   never exceeds 40 celcius..

[jdcarpe]

I have an Arris SB6182 that I bought on eBay, and it does the job for me. It's rated for up to 343 Mbps download and up to 132 Mbps upload.

[LiquidEvilGaming]

Comcast offers 150mbit,  which is 18.75 Megabyte/s

Tp4 can only afford the Fios cheapo 87mbit, 10.875 Megabyte/s..  But fios doesn't throttle torrents as much,  so in the long run, I'm getting more throughput vs comcast..


The problem with cable modems is the same as with more powerful routers..  They're not actively cooled..


If you're willing,  You can take it apart, cut a hole on the side of the housing, Put an 80mm or 120mm fan on it,  hook up the fan to an old cellphone DC  charger that outputs ~5-7 volts..


It doesn't matter if the fan doesn't spin at full speed, or has low rpm..  The cable modem will only need very little airflow to greatly extend its lifespan..


I have an N66u router, that thing was pushing 87 Celcius in the summer..  I run it open chassis now, with a 120mm fan blowing at it,   never exceeds 40 celcius..

I actually use one of Tt's USB powered 120MM fans for this purpose to cool my router which is an awesome router but the cooling is ****.  Maybe i will get a second one for the modem.

[Leslieann]

I went through this a few years ago, we had the option of leasing one or buying, I bought new. Paid for itself in less than 18 months (before our contract was even up).
It may have changed a bit since then, but the consensus was Motorola, looking around it still seems to be the case. Even techs in the industry recommend those as the ones to get.

Since getting mine, we've had 3 boosts to our speed (60>80>100>120), the cable co sends out letters each time saying new modems may be required, replaces a bunch. Mine just keeps on working. Never had an issue and I have always gotten full speed from it while neighbors are always a bit lower. Mine is an Arris Motorola SB6121, same as JDCarpe, which is a bit older but still tops best cable modem lists.

The Motorola is probably not the cheapest on your list, but long term it could pay off with higher rates, fewer problems and less need to replace it if they give you a speed bump later.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

As a couple othere people have said here, Motorola is the way to go. I've always used them and haven't had a problem at all.
A couple friends that used to buy the cheaper modems always have to replace them replace them before their expected EOL.

[LiquidEvilGaming]

As a couple othere people have said here, Motorola is the way to go. I've always used them and haven't had a problem at all.
A couple friends that used to buy the cheaper modems always have to replace them replace them before their expected EOL.

Far as i am aware Arris bought out Motorolas modem business so is the price difference between the Arris and Motorola model worth it for 10 Megabit per sec?

[UsualSuspectXXX]

As a couple othere people have said here, Motorola is the way to go. I've always used them and haven't had a problem at all.
A couple friends that used to buy the cheaper modems always have to replace them replace them before their expected EOL.

Far as i am aware Arris bought out Motorolas modem business so is the price difference between the Arris and Motorola model worth it for 10 Megabit per sec?

Ahh,  I believe you are correct. I think they had both names on the box at one point. Maybe?

This would be the newer version of the one that I have, so it is my recommendation.

[LiquidEvilGaming]

As a couple othere people have said here, Motorola is the way to go. I've always used them and haven't had a problem at all.
A couple friends that used to buy the cheaper modems always have to replace them replace them before their expected EOL.

Far as i am aware Arris bought out Motorolas modem business so is the price difference between the Arris and Motorola model worth it for 10 Megabit per sec?

Ahh,  I believe you are correct. I think they had both names on the box at one point. Maybe?

This would be the newer version of the one that I have, so it is my recommendation.

That is actually one of the ones i was looking at so that's good to know.

[tp4tissue]

They're all more than good enough for 10Mbit..

[LiquidEvilGaming]

They're all more than good enough for 10Mbit..

Good enough sure, but good enough spec wise and reliability are two different games.