Replacing Comcast Modem/Wireless on the cheap

[psuskifan]

Yep, I want it all. I don't want to pay the $7 a month to Comcast and I want to buy something great and affordable. I really wanted a modem/wireless combo, but they appear to be hard to come by.

I am hoping to have long range (three flights up) and the most I will be using it for is PS3 or streaming Sling Box.

Any suggestions for a good combo? I imagine my cheapest option would be getting a used Docsis 3.0 modem and attaching a great wireless router. Any suggestions which ones to get?

Thanks a ton in advance!

 

[Xonim]

I'd recommend a Motorola SB6121 modem - they're ~$80-85 normally, new on Amazon. I recently upgraded to this from an older DOCSIS 2.0 Toshiba modem and my max Steam game download speeds went from ~1.4 MB/s to ~2.5MB/s. They're pretty common, so the Comcast support people actually know stuff about them if you should need to call.

As for a router - I don't have a ton of advice for this. I bought an Asus RT-N56U, and have NOT been happy with it. It keeps dropping the wireless signal for all connected devices, and I haven't been able to figure out why as nothing is written to the log file when it happens. After a bit of Google searching, it seems to be one of many recurring problems with this model that have never been addressed, even though it probably could be fixed in a firmware update.

 

[billyb0b]

+1 for the SB6121.... great modem

 

[wirednuts]

how fast is your internet? if its 20mb or less, a docsis 2 modem is just fine. you can find linksys cm100 online for $25, and grab an e3000 for $50 and youre totally set.

 

[chin311]

+1 for the cm100 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16825120001)

I got a refurb from NewEgg a while back for 30$ and it's paid for itself a few times already.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I currently use a Motorola SB6120, great modem so far.

Important to note: Look here

That link is the Comcast supported modem list. I highly recommend getting something from that list. One less item Comcast can use against you.

I paired up my 6120 with a Linksys E3000, great team.