Upgrade router and/or cable modem?

[sdilley14]

I posted a similar thread in regards to setting up a NAS, but I want to put that aside and see if it is even worth my time/money to upgrade my network equipment.

Here is what I have...

http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-WGR614NA-WGR614-Wireless-G-Router/dp/B00008SCFL

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-5241-Cab...2089650&sr=1-1&keywords=zoom+1051+cable+modem

I'm considering upgrading to an AirPort Extreme. As far as the cable modem goes, I'm not sure what would be best to upgrade to.

I'm wondering if it is really even worth my time/money to upgrade at all. In all honesty, the set up I have now has been very, very stable. I can't remember the last time I had to unplug/reset the modem or router because of connectivity issues. I'm sort of thinking "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". On the other hand, this is some pretty dated hardware. The router isn't even N capable. As far as the cable modem goes...I really don't know anything about cable modems and I have no idea if it would be beneficial to get a new one. My set up has been stable and useable, but I do feel at times that my connection speeds are a bit weak, I get some lagging while gaming online, download speeds are slow at times, etc. I know speeds mostly hinge on the connection from the ISP. I have a 30MB connection and I typically get about half that whenever I do speed tests...14-15MB down, 3MB up.

Thoughts?

 

[Giuly]

If you don't up your plan to something faster, you don't have to upgrade the modem. If you do, get a Cisco.

 

[sdilley14]

If you don't up your plan to something faster, you don't have to upgrade the modem. If you do, get a Cisco.

I'd like to up it to something faster but 30MB is about as fast as we can get in my area. :/

So having an N capable router as opposed to G, and an updated modem, really wouldn't have much of a noticeable difference considering my connection speed from my ISP?

 

[Giuly]

For the WiFi side it would make a difference. If you upgrade to an AirPort Extreme you'll likely get close to those 30MBit/s, and it also extends the range of your WiFi, but a new modem won't change anything at all.

 

[sdilley14]

For the WiFi side it would make a difference. If you upgrade to an AirPort Extreme you'll likely get close to those 30MBit/s, and it also extends the range of your WiFi, but a new modem won't change anything at all.

That makes sense. I'll likely just stay with the same modem and upgrade the router since a lot of what I do is wireless. It'd also be nice to have a router with the ability to have a storage device attached to it.

 

[Weaselboy]

That makes sense. I'll likely just stay with the same modem and upgrade the router since a lot of what I do is wireless. It'd also be nice to have a router with the ability to have a storage device attached to it.

Who is your cable Internet provider? Do they support DOCSIS 3.0? If they do, you might help with your speed problems to get a new DOCSIS 3.0 modem like the Motorola SB6141. DOCSIS 3 allows channel bonding and that can help if you are not getting your full speeds due network congestion.

This site has very through reviews of wireless routers and NAS devices. Might help you decide.

 

[Giuly]

Who is your cable Internet provider? Do they support DOCSIS 3.0? If they do, you might help with your speed problems to get a new DOCSIS 3.0 modem like the Motorola SB6141. DOCSIS 3 allows channel bonding and that can help if you are not getting your full speeds due network congestion.

This site has very through reviews of wireless routers and NAS devices. Might help you decide.

AFAIK, cable providers only enable DOCSIS3.0 when you're on faster plans that require it, as one channel is 50MBit/s down without throttling. The Cisco above was DOCSIS3.0, too, for that matter.

 

[Weaselboy]

AFAIK, cable providers only enable DOCSIS3.0 when you're on faster plans that require it, as one channel is 50MBit/s down without throttling.

You are mistaken. This certainly may vary by ISP, but I know from personal experience with Time Warner cable that even a 10/2 plan in my area will bond four downstream channels if you use a DOCSIS 3 cable modem.

The Cisco above was DOCSIS3.0, too, for that matter.

I had not noticed that, but I'm not sure what your point is.

 

[Giuly]

You're right, the same goes for Cox and Comcast. Yet, I doubt that this will help with 30MBit/s cable, as the real culprit is 802.11g here.