Advice on Cable Modem/WiFi Router for TWC connection

Self ^ | November 11, 2016 | newfreep

[newfreep]

I am relocating and will be using TWC cable internet for the first time.

I'm seeking recommendations for single unit Modem/Router - esp the best "Bang for the Buck"

TWC does recommend Netgear N300 and N600 - both offer 300mbs speed. However, it appears the only difference is N600 is "300+300" Dual-Band.

I'm not sure if the higher priced "300+300" is worth it or even required as I'll be the only user.

Any suggestions or insight is greatly appreciated!

newfreep "DRAIN the SWAMP...with extreme prejudice"

[Cboldt]

The 300mbs rating applies to the cable throughput, not the wireless.

[fred42]

I recommend separate cable-modem and router components.
If either goes bad, or you switch away from cable, you only need to replace one component.

I just upgraded both & did quite a bit of research before selecting them. Here’s what I bought & recommend:

TP-LINK TC-7620 DOCSIS 3.0, 16x4 Cable Modem - Newegg $70 new

ASUS RT-N66W N900 Router - Newegg $50 after rebate, new

BTW my 2nd choice modem was the ARRIS SB6183 Cable Modem.
I didn’t go with it because Motorola no longer makes it, and the reliability is no longer what it was.

The TC-7620 is also a newer design than the SB6183. (I’m using Comcast)
My TC-7620 & RT-N66W both run cool.

For the router, stick with Asus. They’re the most reliable & upgrade their firmware often. (This is important with all the hacking going on.) 2nd choice for the router would be the ASUS RT-AC68P. I wouldn’t buy a more expensive one than the RT-AC68P. If you have dead spots, add a router access point (AP).

[Ray76]

I agree with using a separate cable-modem and router, they serve different functions. And, as you say, they have different maintenance and upgrade cycles.

[newfreep]

Thanks to all who posted - the information is very much appreciated.

I’ve decided to go the separates route and purchase both units.

[moovova]

Oops...I misunderstood.

[oldtech]

Just a word of advice. I got a Netgear N600 sometime back because Netgear was suggested as being one of the best. Maybe they are,but mine failed & I had quite a hassle with Netgear trying to get it replaced....which they never did. In the meantime,they had all kinds of suggestions for troubleshooting.....many of which I did not understand nor was qualified to do.

[moovova]

This discussion might even spur me to buy a new router to replace our elderly Netgear router. Lot of good suggestions here.

[oh8eleven]

This discussion might even spur me to buy a new router ...
I believe if it ain't broke don't fix it. Experience also has taught me that if I did buy a replacement, a new, better/faster/cheaper version will come out a week later.

[t4texas]

“DRAIN the SWAMP...with extreme prejudice”

Nice Apocalypse Now segway . . .

[newfreep]

UPDATE...

I purchased separates:
Netgear CM500 Cable Modem
Linksys 1200+ Dual-Band Router

With my TWC Internet plan of 15 MBPS, the speed is blazingly fast & consistently tests to 18 MBPS. ALL video streaming has zero buffering.

Thanks to all who posted and gave me a primer in this technology and allowed me to get the best bang for the buck.

Viva Donald Trump!!!

[Muntic0re]

Check your router settings, connection of the network cable also – it may possibly be conducted incorrectly.

[bmwcyle]

Just installed:
NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with Tri-band – Wireless router replacement, Eliminate WiFi dead zones, Up to 5000 sqft, 3pk

It is the fastest speeds I ever had.

[OliverTwik]

Router must be connected to computer with a network cable. Check if this is performed correctly and pay attention to the condition of the cable. You should check the connection of the network cable also – it can be conducted incorrectly. Make sure that you use the “LAN” port, not the “Internet” port – in this case nothing will work. In order to access the router’s settings page, perform the following steps: Open any browser In the search line enter the IP-address: 192.168.1.1. Now you have to access the authorization page. In order to perform this action you shall need to enter the login and password.