[SOLVED] What should I purchase to swap out my default Spectrum equipment?

[AnthonyStew]

Hello! I am seeking some advice on possible modems/routers or a modem+router combo that will perform better than the current equipment that was provided to me by Spectrum.

I currently have an Arris TM1602 modem and a Sagemcom Fast 5260 wireless router.

I am in need a modem and a router (or a combo) for gaming and streaming, but I do not need one that is designed for providing insanely good wireless connection speeds. I have a wired connection to my PC and the only other devices on my network are my family and friends' phones/laptops that are used for casual internet browsing.

From what I have researched, it seems that both the Arris modem and the Sagemcom router that I have are very low-end devices that are known for flawed chipsets and poor performance. I have been having latency and reliability issues with them since I have had them as well.

So my question is: What are some great options for either a modem+router combo or individual modems and routers that are reliable for gaming/streaming.

I am willing to spend anything between 200-400$.

Thank you!

 

[bill001g]

Your first step is to see what modems they support in your area for the plan you have. For example huawei makes many cable modems but no USA provider will allow you to use them. The ISP is the one that puts patches on modems and they do not want to support more than is needed. The exact models they support are not even the same for different parts of a city because they acquired other ISP stuff over the years.

That modem is pretty simple docsis 3.0 with 16x4 channels. That is used on slower internet connections. You actually need nothing better if you do not plan to move to a faster internet plan any time soon.

I assume you are referring to the puma chipset bug. This is a old issue that was patched. The so called testing sites have special software that can still find the problem but they fixed the issues in real world traffic.

As far as routers go the only real difference is the wifi. Even a $20 router can pass 1gbit wan/lan as long as it has gigabit ports on it. I would look at routers that have the 1200-1750 number. If you want cheaper buy something like tplink. Pretty much all the larger brands have good support and work more or less the same. Only you would know the value of software features like parental controls or vpn functions.

I would avoid buying any combo devices. You could go the next level up modem 32x8 ( assuming the ISP supports it) and buy a cheaper router. That way you can replace the router if you ever want something better or get tempted by wifi6

 

[Alabalcho]

You might not need a new modem.

Enable firewall on your PC, and connect it directly to the modem, with Ethernet cable. Do the tasks you usually do, if Internet connection is OK with just the modem, it will be OK with a (good new) router.