Need help SGB6580 died. GAMER /POWER user to buy cable modem and router or all in one

dpoverlord

[H]ard|Gawd
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Nov 18, 2004
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EDIT: Boiling it down to these and need help if I should use my SGB6580 in bridge mode (cable modem only) or sell it and buy a newer modem (need rec)
1. ASUS ac2400 rt-ac87r dual band
2. Nighthawk AC3200 x6
3. Nighthawk AC1900 x3
4. Linksys wrt1900ac 1900(seems to not be worth it)
Thoughts on these above and which to get/dd-rt them?

So my $200 Motorola SGB6580 can no longer connect to the Internet. Time warner is coming tomorrow to determine the issue. I also called Motorola but it seems Arris bought them out and wants to charge $30 for support.

At a loss of what could possibly have gone wrong I realize my error in buying an all in one since now I'm left with nothing $200 down the drain when I thought that buying from someone reputable like Motorola would save me oh was I wrong.

So what I'm looking for is the best product so I don't have to pay the 8 dollar rental fee from time warner. My computer (desktop) is always wired in and I tend to get 10-15 megs a second (100/Mbs) my Friends who come and our devices are all wireless.

Looking for:
1. Best modem / separate router which will be future proof and kick it like my old school wrt54g which had its own dd setup where I could control everything.
-I game
- download heavily
- stream to my phone in the house (small think city style apartment), and stream overseas.
- easy to remote connect to the computer / good security

Or
2. I did enjoy how the SGB6580 was simplistic but the point of buying it was so I wouldn't have to buy something for a few years.


I leave it up to you guys as I am a techie and don't mind spending more to get better quality since I already spend $100 month for kick ass broadband but just got screwed on this modem. Really am disappointed on Motorola.

Thanks guys
 
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You could always get another SBG6580 for $75 or less off of Ebay.

I have been using Motorola modems for about 10 years and have never had one die on me.

If you want a separate router/modem, then why not get a Motorola off of Ebay. They can be had for around $40 for the nice DOCSIS 3.0 ones.

Here is one with Voip support for $40
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ARRIS-MOTOROLA-SURFBOARD-SBV6240-TELEPHONY-CABLE-MODEM-DOCSIS-3-0-FULLY-TESTED-/171401596578?pt=PCC_Modems&hash=item27e854cea2

Here is the 6120 for $43. This is the one I currently have:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorola-SB6120-SurfBoard-Cable-Modem-SB-6120-Docsis-3-0-/201149260099?pt=PCC_Modems&hash=item2ed56e2143


Here is an Arris one for $35 shipped.... modem/router
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIME-WARNER-MOTOROLA-ARRIS-ARRIS-DG860A-DOCSIS-3-0-/201149875487?pt=PCC_Modems&hash=item2ed577851f

Not really worth it IMO to buy cable modems new now days since they are so cheap used.
 
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I don't use voice over ip .

I strictly do large file transfers, ftp, some torrent, Lots and lots of games and streaming then remote connect. We have the ultimate plan which is 100mbs (10 megs a second)
 
Sorry for my naieve response, what exactly is DLNA sharing over USB?.


Also was I wrong to go to the Motorola SGB6580 route prior. What are the benefits of those over the newer Models? I don't spending more for the latest and better technology
 
DLNA sharing is used if you want to share media off a USB HDD connected to your router to a device that supports it such as a TV, X360, PS3, Media Player (WD Live etc), BD-player etc. Do note that media compatibility depends on the device itself not the router.
Compared to your previous modem you get much newer wifi hardware which usually results in better speed and stability and much better control over your router given that your modem is in bridged mode. There are 11ac models out but its still gen1 hardware which is kinda flaky so I'd wait til gen 2 is out which probably is 1 year or so if needed.
//Danne
 
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So basically there is nothing out that's really that much newer. I may be better off buying a a used one like I have and then just waiting? Or is there a better option for now? I send files for my computer to the phones but these tend to only run at 4mb/s which isn't crazy.
 
I went to the local radio shack and they has a netgear and Linksys at model which averaged 150-200.

Out of curiosity radio shack said they could replace the SGB6580 due to having a warranty plan.

I was thinking maybe I should setup the modem in bridge mode and get a separate router. What are your thoughts on doing that vs getting a separate router/modem?

Looking at the Linksys wrt1900ac and the netgear nighthawk they have two versions of the nighthawk AC1900/AC3200 the 1900is 200 the 3200 says it has 6 more bands. I read they use the nadia streaming as well as be able to run dd-rt

Thoughts?
 
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I'd go for 11n, wait a year or so for more reliable/stable hardware and then possibly upgrade. 3rd-party firmwares works poorly on 11ac hardware as it is right now.
//Danne
 
So update,

Ironically it seems that the issue was not with the cable box (got a new SBG6580 as part of the warranty). Seems someone "cut" the wires on the roof of the apartment building...

Now the internet works, but I am keen on getting a separate router and would just run this modem in bridged mode (modem only vs buying a new modem).

One of the things I was looking for in a new router
. ASUS ac2400 rt-ac87r dual band
2. Nighthawk AC3200 x6
3. Nighthawk AC1900 x3
(or any other type you recommend)

Is the ability to be able to run legacy devices (old laptops / etc) in on N/AC mode. Are these routers able to run both modes so devices with N run N / AC and devices that are 4+ years old can connect legacy wise?
 
If you're going to use 11n (and older) devices 11ac is kinda a waste of money but oh well...
//Danne
 
Problem is I have a Vizio TV that says it's an n wireless model but it won't connect well wireless, then I have an older dell xps laptop and I know it will only connect via WiFi if its run-on 2.4ghz mode.

I thought if I went with a newer router it could run all devices. Am I wrong?
 
So my issue is my printer and a few old devices only operate at 2.4ghz. How do I use 802.11ac and 802.11 with older devices? For example my printer won't connect at 5ghz can the newer router operate at a 5ghz / 2.4ghz mode so all devices alcan connect 2.4ghz
 
It will work but as I said before, it's a waste of money getting an 11ac unit especially if you're going to connect legacy clients.
//Danne
 
Got ya what do you recommend then? Since I have an older printer and laptop I wanted to be able to connect.
 
Got you I guess u was really drawn to the nighthawk (death star look).

Mind being able to help explain the best way of getting N style speeds whole still being able to use an older xps and having the printer connected?

I just don't want to buy a new router to only find out that I am downgraded like I am with the sbg6580 to a lower speed.

For example if I stream a 4gb mkv file to my phone at an N 5ghz band it streams fine but then the printer / Vizio TV / old laptop won't run. When I move it to 2.4ghz it stutters.
 
Thanks for your help Dizzy, in your opinion should I keep the SBG6580 and put it into bridge mode? Or should I sell it and buy the SB6141 or SB6183 Newegg has a deal also for the nighthawk and sb6141 for $200.

I get 100 down 10 up and was curious what the newer model modem would get me vs Mt current sbg6580
 
Keep the SBG6580, you wont get any faster connection (obviously) than what your providers supplies.
The Nighthawk is really a waste of money in my opinion but go ahead.
//Danne
 
Another vote to keep using SBG6580.
Reasons
1-It works and you don't have to spend any money
2-More time for manufactures to work out the bugs in their firmware
3-If Comcast takeover of TWC is approved, there might be a whole new set of problems. (modems)

Quick question what internet plan do you have?(standard, extreme, etc)
 
I have Ultimate 100 down 10 up (yeah no idea why I am limited to 10 up).

I guess I can put this into bridge mode, I am very keen on getting a router so I can run a 5GHZ band and a 2.4ghz band. It seems the 6850 is limited to running each band one at a time (either or) and the 6872 does each together, so thats why I was thinking of keeping this in bridge mode or getting the nighthawk or another REALLY strong router so I can run 2 bands at least.
 
So I called time warner cable today and they said I was upgraded to ultimate 300.

Which is supposed to be 300 down 20/30 up.

Guess I do have to buy a new modem now.
 
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Thanks guys

So I found a ridiculous deal on the nighthawk R7000 for $127 and got the SB6183 for $129

Should I do WRT first thing on the router?
 
Lost and dizzy at this price though the router is cheaper than the modem.

What would you say the next steps for maximizing are? 3 of these at this price are almost the same as the R8000
 
I connected the modem and this is what I am getting:


I went to the TWC office and got their DG1670A model (dual Concurrent router) while I am waiting for the SB6183 to come in from Amazon (seems to be a 3 week wait), I also picked up from Staples the Nighthawk AC1900.

Having some issues connecting to the modem but once I do any suggestions on setting this up properly?
 
I connected the modem and this is what I am getting:


I went to the TWC office and got their DG1670A model (dual Concurrent router) while I am waiting for the SB6183 to come in from Amazon (seems to be a 3 week wait), I also picked up from Staples the Nighthawk AC1900.

Having some issues connecting to the modem but once I do any suggestions on setting this up properly?

Did you ask TWC to put modem in bridge mode, before you try connecting the router to it.
 
Did you ask TWC to put modem in bridge mode, before you try connecting the router to it.

Just got off the phone with them we set it up in bridge mode and I just connected the R7000.

I am looking now at myopen router to see which DD-WRT to install. Should I install a DD-WRT? The last time I did that was with my Linksys WRT-54G (old school :cool: ), wondering if the custom firmware is better than stock.

Wifi wise here are some results:
note 3 phone Download 161.51Mbps Upload of 22.04 Mbps
MacBook Pro Download of 156Mbps Upload of 22 Mbps

Shouldn't I technically be getting 300 Mbps on wifi? Any ideas on what I can do to speed it up?
 
No, the R7000 third party firmwares are buggy and it'll probably never get good support in that regard. Stick with what Netgear provides.
//Danne
 
Ok got ya, I am really happy I asked, now I just need to figure how to optimize it for downloading. I think the download should be higher on the 5GHZ band. wired in its definitely a lot more fast.

Dizzy and loststorm THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!
 
Wanted to update the thread I decided not to use the second nighthawk. If anyone wants it just pay for the shipping and its yours.
 
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