Cable Internet - Upgrading Router/Modem for performance

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flixide

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Master Geek

Topic # 173601 28-May-2015 21:19

Hey all,

So I’m looking to increase my internet performance (Wi-Fi as well) and need to decide on a new router/modem to buy.

I’m currently on Vodafone 100mbps cable plan (Wellington) and using the stock router and modem.

Netcomm nf5 Wireless router
Cisco DPC3008 Modem

I was wondering if any of you guys are on Vodafone cable and have upgraded your router/modem and noticed much of a difference. If so what router/modem did you purchase and what would you recommend me buying (Looking to spend $200-300).

Also will I just need to upgrade the router and the modem be fine or will I need to upgrade both?

All help/input is much appreciated.

Thanks.

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 1313753 28-May-2015 21:30

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A new router won't make your internet any faster or better - but it could make your WiFi better if you buy something with 5GHz support and have devices that support 5GHz.

Your cable modem is supplied by Vodafone and is merely a layer 2 bridge. There is no reason to change that.

michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1313755 28-May-2015 21:31

I am based in Wellington and have a Linksys WRT1900 sitting around - is a very quick router and was using it on 200/200 UFB no problems :)

Will be perfect in your situation, I am happy to let it go for $200 and depending on where you live give you a hand with setting it up if you like.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
A quick guide to picking the right ISP | The Router Guide | Community UniFi Cloud Controller | Ubiquiti Edgerouter Tutorial

shrub

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Reply # 1314237 29-May-2015 16:28

TPLINK TL-WDR4300 then flash it with DD-WRT so stable ive had it running up to 140 days without a reboot int he past
I sold the netcom still wrapped on trademe for $80 and and put $50 towards the TP LINK as they only $130

Batwing

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Reply # 1314263 29-May-2015 17:49

The wdr4300 runs fine on stock too btw

nickb800

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Reply # 1314276 29-May-2015 18:33

Aside from Wifi performance, what's the problem that you're trying to solve? The NF5 should be sweet for handling the throughput. VF cable is rubbish in peak times at the moment so there's little scope for peformance gain

Sideface

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Reply # 1314277 29-May-2015 18:34

sbiddle: A new router won't make your internet any faster or better - but it could make your WiFi better if you buy something with 5GHz support and have devices that support 5GHz.

Your cable modem is supplied by Vodafone and is merely a layer 2 bridge. There is no reason to change that.

+1

I'm on VF 100/10Mbs cable in Wellington. (fibre is not yet available)
As above, no point in upgrading your modem.
If you want better wiFi, go for ASUS RT-AC66U DUAL-BAND WIRELESS GIGABIT ROUTER

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shrub

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Reply # 1314282 29-May-2015 18:40

Batwing: The wdr4300 runs fine on stock too btw

Wouldnt know lol flashed it first boot

flixide

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Reply # 1314420 29-May-2015 23:00

Ok I won’t be looking to buy a new modem then since I now understand the part of it being merely a layer.

Thanks michaelmurfy, I may take you up on that offer, its going for about $260 brand new at playtech with special atm. What router did you upgrade to btw?

Shrub, are you on Vodafone cable? What kind of difference did you notice with the wdr4300?

Nickb800, mainly just get a bit quicker speeds but definitely want to improve the wifi (it is very slow, even to browse sometimes and streaming can be impossible + lots of disconnections etc – I’ve had the nf5 replaced as well with another nf5)

Sideface thanks, I see that is a popular router choice – It is going for around $260 with Playtech sale. I also see another popular option the upgrade of the asus, the asus RT-AC68u ($60 more). Did you notice much difference upgrading from stock

What would be the differences between the Linksys wrt1900 and the asus RT-Ac66u/68u be?

Thanks all, appreciate the replies so far J

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Reply # 1314421 29-May-2015 23:20

flixide: ... Sideface thanks, I see that is a popular router choice – It is going for around $260 with Playtech sale. I also see another popular option the upgrade of the asus, the asus RT-AC68u ($60 more). Did you notice much difference upgrading from stock

What would be the differences between the Linksys wrt1900 and the asus RT-Ac66u/68u be? ...

I only used the stock router for one day - I'd been using the ASUS router before I changed to cable.
I noticed much improved wireless performance with the ASUS throughout our large sngle-storey house (up to 80Mbps!).
The ASUS also has a better user interface, and it is easy to update the ASUS firmware.

I can't make any comment on the Linksys, as I have never used one.

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michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1314432 30-May-2015 01:24

Thanks michaelmurfy, I may take you up on that offer, its going for about $260 brand new at playtech with special atm. What router did you upgrade to btw?

Make me an offer if you want it then - it is just sitting around collecting dust.

I am currently using the Netgear R7000 which is also an excellent router. The WRT1900AC has better WiFi and also has very good OpenWRT support if you ever want to get into that.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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StevieT

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Reply # 1314466 30-May-2015 09:28

I use this router for the cable 100Mb/s unlimited data plan: http://www.tp-link.com.au/products/details/?categoryid=2872&model=Archer+C7 - no problems at all. I deliberately chose my newest laptop to support wireless ac. When I do speed tests over wifi I get around the 98-101Mb/s download mark.

shrub

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Reply # 1314467 30-May-2015 09:30

the 4300 is a good router for the price. Im on 130/10 plan and speedtests are showing 128/10 I dont use the wifi much only for phones, tablets and cromecast which streams youtube in HD. They dont see the max speeds but its reliable I have wired my entire house and use gigabit everywhere possible.

sbiddle

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Reply # 1314502 30-May-2015 10:02

Netcomm NF8AC is a very good dual band device with AC wireless and is a lot cheaper than a few options posted above.

flixide

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Reply # 1328640 21-Jun-2015 12:31

Options for new router:

ASUS RT-AC68U - $348
Netgear R700 Nighthawk (one you have) - $257
Linksys wrt1900ac - $285

Any other potential routers I may have missed in this price range? - I just need it for everyday use (good internet/ Wi-Fi performance etc)

Recommendations would be good thanks :)

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Reply # 1328650 21-Jun-2015 13:31

flixide: Options for new router:

ASUS RT-AC68U - $348
Netgear R700 Nighthawk (one you have) - $257
Linksys wrt1900ac - $285

Any other potential routers I may have missed in this price range?

If you want wireless AC, any of these would be good - I'd get the ASUS.

If you only want wireless N, don't forget the ASUS RT-N66U at $279.

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