Motorola Surfboard Cable Modem

jstenuf

jstenuf

2[H]4U
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Jun 10, 2002
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Does anyone know the difference between the SB 5101 and the SB5120? I have tried Motorola's web site, but cannot find anything that identifies the differences.
 
The SB5101 uses the Broadcom chipset/processor BCM3349, while the SB5120 uses the Texas Instrument chipset/processor TI4401.

Only difference really. And the SB5120 has a power cord brick, while the SB5101 doesnt.
 
Someone else already explained the differences, but if you are purchasing I'd go for the 5120.

I've put several of them in place and have had ZERO problems with them, and I know for a fact it handles higher-speed connections such as my 15mbit connection.

I actually had to replace my older modem with one when I upgraded to 15mbit because the older Moto was capped internally at 5mbit.

In fact, I know it will flow 20+ mbit because that's what I actually get.

-Larry
 
Yeah, if you have the choice get the 5120. The 5101 has been discontiuned, but it is still available from many ISPs or I'm sure you can find it on ebay.
 
Between the 5100 and the 5120, the 5100 was the better modem, and the 5101 is just an upgraded version of the 5100. The TI chip is mediocre, enough to get the job done I suppose... But the 5100/5101 just goes above and beyond (much more tolerant with signal levels, etc).
 
Even the old 4100 was rated for 39 megs....
I use a 5120...with Comcasts PowerBoost I've bursted to 96,000 down...usually I'm in the 70,000 down range.

True the 5120 is less tolerant of line noise, I think it's upload capabities are a bit higher than the 5100...but that's moot since your upload is capped waaaaaay below what the modem can handle for upload.
 
Thanks for all of the reply's. I am planning on a purchase to place my
SB4200. WIll I see any download or upload speed benefit if I switch to the SB5120? I am using Comcast.
 
It's really hard to measure your online speed with Comcast now...since they introduced PowerBoost..it's all over the place. I bounce between 60,000 and 90,000 all the time.

But...since the 4100/4200 series maxes at 39 megs..and if you have PowerBoost in your area and "may" be able to burst past that..I'd say "Yes"...you'll see an increase....IF your router can also handle it. Older routers may max at 8 - 10 - 15 megs max throughput.

powerboost2.JPG
 
YeOldeStonecat said:
It's really hard to measure your online speed with Comcast now...since they introduced PowerBoost..it's all over the place. I bounce between 60,000 and 90,000 all the time.

But...since the 4100/4200 series maxes at 39 megs..and if you have PowerBoost in your area and "may" be able to burst past that..I'd say "Yes"...you'll see an increase....IF your router can also handle it. Older routers may max at 8 - 10 - 15 megs max throughput.
Click to expand...

You have comcast? Where do you live to get such good speeds/which service do you pay for? I have their regular 6Mbps/384kbps service, and I get boosted to around 8Mbps down, but nowhere near what you're getting.
 
Yup...Comcast..I'm in southeast CT..on the shore in a relatively sparse neighborhood. I hit 93,000 once..but usually on a daily basis it's 60-70,000.

I have their 6,000/384 package. Prior to the few weeks before Powerboost was introduced...I'd religiously hit 6,200/340. Then I started hitting in the 20,000 range..back in May....I made this post...
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1058249&highlight=comcast


Then about the time Comcast officially advertised PowerBoost..I shot up in the 60,000 range.
 
Is the powerboost you're gettingDOCSIS 2.0? (router page config is 192.168.100.1, check logs for docsis) Because we were running 1.0 around here for awhile, and then a week before powerboost officially came out, we got upped to DOCSIS 1.1, and I started getting somewhat better speeds. Ive only got a SB4200, but pretty sure that does DOCSIS 2.0.
 
Fuse said:
Is the powerboost you're gettingDOCSIS 2.0? (router page config is 192.168.100.1, check logs for docsis) Because we were running 1.0 around here for awhile, and then a week before powerboost officially came out, we got upped to DOCSIS 1.1, and I started getting somewhat better speeds. Ive only got a SB4200, but pretty sure that does DOCSIS 2.0.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression Comcast had already been at Docsis 2 for a while. My router is at another address, but yes 192.168.100.1 is my 5120...I don't see anything mentioning Docsis in the logs....so I don't have an answer. :(
 
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