Home Networking / Router / & WiFi Gateway Help

[MugetsuTensho]

I am getting a new desktop pc in a few days and I was wondering what is the best wireless receiver to buy. The modem is a Motorola SURFboard Model:SB5101 and the router is Netgear Wirless-N Router WNR1000 v2.

The new pc is a custom gaming/programing computer that has windows 7.

I may be hosting a private server of a game I play too.

[PeteC2 · Accepted solution]

For a gaming computer the WNR1000v2 would be far down my list of recommended routers...not because it is a Netgear, simply that it is not a very robust router in the first place...for that matter, if you are in a Docsis 3.0 area, I would update the modem as well.

At any rate, to answer your question I would recommend you purchase the same brand WiFi card as the router.  Although 11N is now a mature technology, a number of users still find that there are subtle inconsistencies between brands making it preferable to stay within a given brand.  Specifically, you might go with the Netgear WNA3100, as it will allow good placement for a desktop solution.

[MugetsuTensho]

I got the

NETGEAR WNA3100-100ENS Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, and WEP

from

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122379

Can i go to any comcast store and get a better router and modem if i need it later on?

[PeteC2]

Comcast does not provide separate routers anymore, they only issue wireless gateways which are modem/router combo units which are notoriously poor.

If you are renting your Comcast modem, and you are in a Docsis 3.0 area, you have 2 choices:

1.  Ask Comcast to swap you a newer Docsis 3.0 modem

2.  Buy your own Docsis 3.0 modem, such as the very good Zoom 5341J (J model only!) and quit paying Comcast modem rental fee

As far as routers go, IMHO, buy your own!  The routers and gateways that Comcast leases use their flashed firmware which is effectively user-option crippled.

So, to recap:  If you are in a D3 area, either ask Comcast for a new modem, or go buy a Zoom 5341J, if your Netgear router is from Comcast?  I'd give it back to them and buy a quality router of my own (do not swap for a wireless gateway!).  Since you bought a Netgear WiFi connector, I would say you are probably best off going to a quality Netgear router, such as the WNDR4000 or WNDR3800 models.

[MugetsuTensho]

How do i find out if im in an area that i can get a Docsis 3.0 modem? (Will it cost more)

Do i need all this cause is my internet speed.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/2065596376.png

[PeteC2]

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MugetsuTensho wrote:

How do i find out if im in an area that i can get a Docsis 3.0 modem? (Will it cost more)

Do i need all this cause is my internet speed.

http://www.speedtest.net/result/2065596376.png

---

Its according to where you are, but most places have gone over to Docsis 3.0.  Yes, at your speed you would benefit from a D3 modem, because channel bonding will give you more consistent performance (not necessarily faster speeds).

No, Comcast charges one rate for equipment rental, $7 per month, so that would not make a difference.  Again, however, it may make more sense to consider purchasing your own D3 modem and saving the $7 per month fee.

[MugetsuTensho]

Does comcast offer better routers to rent? I'll check into the DOCSIS 3.0 tomorrow.

My mom is the one who pays the bill and she doesn't want to get something that's not from comcast so if there is a problem they will fix it.

I use the internet the most and I notice sometimes its slows down and it takes a 10 - 20 seconds to load a photo that other times takes like 1 - 2 seconds. (I'm also the one who knows most how to use a computer and the basic trouble shooting to fix it). I'm going to College (in August) to learn Game Software Development so hopefully I'll learn more about networking while I'm there.

By the way, thank you very much for your help so far its a pain to get answers from comcast sometimes.

[PeteC2]

I don't know that I would say that they have "better' modems to rent...just more up to date using the Docsis 3.0 standard.  How to check it out is simple enough:  After finding out if you are in a Docsis 3.0 Comcast area, call customer service and bring this up to them, telling them that you want to swap your modem for a D3 model.

Now, Comcast does not necessarily have to swap you a D3 modem, but really, there is no reason that they can not do so.  One thing that I can tell you is true when dealing with Comcast CS, don't necessarily take the first response that you get as the final word. 

[MugetsuTensho]

I was asking if they have better netgear routers. I can just find out tomorrow because I am going to be out doing errands and they have a comcast place near me.

[PeteC2]

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MugetsuTensho wrote:

I was asking if they have better netgear routers. I can just find out tomorrow because I am going to be out doing errands and they have a comcast place near me.

---

No, they do not. As I mentioned earlier, Comcast no longer leases or issues routers.  Your only choices are:

a. keep what you have

b. go to a wireless gateway (definitely not recommended)

c. buy and use your own router (from a performance viewpoint, your best solution)

[MugetsuTensho]

Sorry I missed that. Well I'll see about getting a newer netgear router and if there are any problems I'll call netgear which comcast has you do anyway, if that doesn't work I'll hook up the old router, and by some chance that doesn't work I'll let comcast deal with it.

I think ill go with:

NETGEAR WNDR3800-100NAS N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Open Source Router - IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n

or

NETGEAR WNDR4500 N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Open Source Router - IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n

leaning toward WNDR3800 cause it has more features.