Ask HN: Should I get a new cable modem?

2 points by joehx2 2 years ago | 4 comments

Recently my cable internet service was automatically "upgraded" from 30 Mbps to 300 Mbps (along with an increase in price).

I measured the speed both before and after the upgrade date, and the speed didn't change - around 20 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up (here's a speedtest: https://www.speedtest.net/result/15769158888).

Also my ISP sent out a technician because they detected a problem. The tech didn't see any issues, so he replaced the outside cable (it gets chewed on by squirrels). While he was here, he recommended I get a new cable modem.

Should I get a new modem?

Here are my current details:

ARRIS SURFboard SB6141 8x4 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AJHDZSI/ which I've had since February 2016.

Linksys AC1200 Wi-Fi router https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZWQTKO/ which I've had since July 2017.

My main computer is connected to the router via Ethernet, and Windows networking settings says the speed to the router is 100 Mbps.

My work laptop is connected to the router via WiFi, and Windows networking settings says the speed (Receive/Transmit) to the router is 585/866 (also in Mbps).

My ISP is Spectrum, and I live in a suburb in SW Ohio (Dayton area).

prirun 2 years ago |

Spectrum upgraded my connection recently to 100/10 (Louisville, KY area). I had an SB6183 and the download speed was around 65 Mb/s. They sent me a new modem and the speed went to right at 100 Mb/s.

If a SB6183 couldn't do 100 Mb/s, I think there's no way a SB6141 could do 300 Mb/s, so yeah, I'd get Spectrum to send you a new one. They mailed mine at no cost and I self-installed it (without going through their stupid phone app; I had to call them instead).

eek2121 2 years ago |

You may need a DOCSIS 3.1 compatible modem to reach advertised speeds.

Yes, you should get a new modem. Make sure it is DOCSIS 3.1 compatible. The SB8200 would be a good choice.

joehx2 2 years ago | |

Thank you.

I was concerned that the modem might not be the bottleneck, but now I think it is.

stop50 2 years ago |

The speed displayed in windows is the ethernet/raw wifi speed. To see the speed, you nees to open th emanagment page of your router. To do that you need the local ip address(google is your friend) replace the last number of the 4 with 1 and enter that in your browser of the pc.