Need advice: Looking to buy new modem and router for my home

Nisko · 21 Mar 2018

I'm looking to future proof the networking hardware for my home - but I can't find good recommendations. According to people's reviews (mostly on Amazon), either the modem or router doesn't last long, craps out frequently and requires frequent reboots - or the customer support is almost non-existent and the warranties are too short. I've been doing my due diligence in research but have come up empty handed.

In my home, I have my PC, TV, printer, two cell phones and two iPads. Normally, just my PC, and one iPad are in use - unless we have to use one of the cell phones (not very frequently while we're home) or the TV is on and we're streaming.

Hope someone can help me out. Thanks.........

EdTittel · 21 Mar 2018

Tim Higgins' SmallNetBuilder.com site is THE premier source for information about SOHO networking. In addition to poking around here for info, you'd be well served by checking out his Router Charts and Router Ranker there. I always consult the latter when it's time to buy a new router, if only to zero in on those offerings in the intersection between what I want and what I can afford. As for modems, you should talk to your ISP/cable company first and foremost about that. Some don't allow third-party devices on their network boundaries, others restrict choices to a limited list, and still others say things like "Any Docsis 3.0 modem or better." You'll want to understand your modem options before you start investigating them! FWIW, I've had good luck with the Asus routers, and plan to upgrade to an AC2900 soon.
HTH,
--Ed--

Nisko · 21 Mar 2018

Thank you very much. I'm going to that site right now!

Berton · 21 Mar 2018

Nisko, in my area the phoneline DSL and Cable/Broadband tend to work best with Modems provided by the ISP while an added Wireless Router available OTC from one of the 'brands' is fine such as D-Link, Cisco/Linksys, etc. I use both a Western Digital Router and Western Digital Switch, both Gigabit. The Wireless is 802.11g but if going new I'd get 802.11ac but now have only one Notebook with 802.11ac adapter.

Comment: your Avatar with the snow and time suggest Mountain time area.

Samuria · 21 Mar 2018

We cant suggest a router unless we know what type of connectin you have adsl,adsl2+,cable

Masterchiefxx17 · 21 Mar 2018

EdTittel said:

Tim Higgins' SmallNetBuilder.com site is THE premier source for information about SOHO networking. In addition to poking around here for info, you'd be well served by checking out his Router Charts and Router Ranker there. I always consult the latter when it's time to buy a new router, if only to zero in on those offerings in the intersection between what I want and what I can afford. As for modems, you should talk to your ISP/cable company first and foremost about that. Some don't allow third-party devices on their network boundaries, others restrict choices to a limited list, and still others say things like "Any Docsis 3.0 modem or better." You'll want to understand your modem options before you start investigating them! FWIW, I've had good luck with the Asus routers, and plan to upgrade to an AC2900 soon.
HTH,
--Ed--

That's a neat website, definitely bookmarking that!

Nisko · 22 Mar 2018

Surprise!! That photo was taken in San Antonio while visiting Seaworld Aquarium in the special housing where they breed penguins. I live part time in Rhode Island and part time in San Antonio.

Berton said:

Nisko, in my area the phoneline DSL and Cable/Broadband tend to work best with Modems provided by the ISP while an added Wireless Router available OTC from one of the 'brands' is fine such as D-Link, Cisco/Linksys, etc. I use both a Western Digital Router and Western Digital Switch, both Gigabit. The Wireless is 802.11g but if going new I'd get 802.11ac but now have only one Notebook with 802.11ac adapter.

Comment: your Avatar with the snow and time suggest Mountain time area.

Nisko · 22 Mar 2018

How can I tell if the network card in my PC is capable of utilizing 802.11ac? Also, I have read many user reviews of the different major brands of routers and modems. There seems to be a lot of negative information there about 1. poor or no technical support, 2. problems with processors or chipsets, 3. units failing within months of purchase.

EdTittel · 22 Mar 2018

Better to buy something decent and live with the problems than to buy nothing and suffer as a consequence. According to Bing, your Dell MC6800 Workstation supports those versions of 802.11 that operate on the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands (plus one oddball thing for a, I can't remember right now):

Need advice: Looking to buy new modem and router for my home-image.png

So indeed an 802.11ac router should serve you well. My son's desktop upstairs jumped from 90-100 Mbps on 802.11ac to over 450 Mbps when I upgraded that machine to a newer PCIe 802.11ac a few months back (here's a link to the blog post I wrote about this: Cheap WiFi Upgrade Spurs More Expensive Follow-up).

I live in Round Rock, about 10-12 miles north of Austin about 2.5 miles west of I-35. If you wanted to drop by sometime on your way to/from San Antonio, I'd be happy to show you my setup and walk you through installation and configuration. We 'old guys' have to stick together! (Please PM me if you'd like to set up a meeting sometime.)

HTH,
--Ed--

Nisko · 22 Mar 2018

Thanks so much for the offer, Ed! However, I fly directly into San Antonio and am not able to drive. I would like to see your setup - but, unfortunately for me, it isn't going to happen. FYI: I searched for only highly recommended routers and modems - the ones Google sites rated highly (up to about $250 for the router). Then, I looked at Amazon reviews. I alway start the reviews with the worst first and look for a pattern. I don't buy cheap. I'm always willing to pay more for quality (within my budget, of course). I buy more than I need to somewhat future proof my investment. Unfortunately, I've come up very disappointed. I certainly appreciate your help - but can't afford to be out of service or to pay for another router or modem in the coming years. I wish there was an alternative that was somewhat safe - but I can't find one. The only choice that I see is to take an intelligent chance.