Opinions on best, affordable (<$100) cable modem?

[pyrojoe34]

Currently I'm looking at the ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 but I'd like some more opinions on what would be a good buy.

 

It'll be used for basic Xfinity internet (I know... but I don't have any other choice) but I figured I'd just get the gigabit version so I don't have to buy a new one if I get better options in the future.

[Donut417]

4 hours ago, pyrojoe34 said:

Currently I'm looking at the ARRIS SURFboard SB6190 but I'd like some more opinions on what would be a good buy.

 

It'll be used for basic Xfinity internet (I know... but I don't have any other choice) but I figured I'd just get the gigabit version so I don't have to buy a new one if I get better options in the future.

From what I have seen the Docsis 3.1 modems are going to be over $100. So you need to up your budget if you want a "Gigabit modem". The SB6190 has the Intel puma 6 chip in it, which has a bad flaw. They have been saying they were going to release new firmware, but its been almost 2 years and I have not heard of any firmware being released. You want to stay away from any Puma 6 chip modems period. Ive heard the CM600 from Netgear is good. But Is generally $129 from what I have seen and will not do Gigabit. 

 

Also, Comcast will not do Gigabit over Docsis 3.0. So dont think because the modem is rated for Gigabit that you can get it. Those ratings are bull shit at best. Because its the Cable Provider that will say how fast they will provision the modem. For example the SB6141 can do up to 383Mbps down. They will NOT provision it past 200Mbps. 

[pyrojoe34]

13 hours ago, Donut417 said:

From what I have seen the Docsis 3.1 modems are going to be over $100. So you need to up your budget if you want a "Gigabit modem". The SB6190 has the Intel puma 6 chip in it, which has a bad flaw. They have been saying they were going to release new firmware, but its been almost 2 years and I have not heard of any firmware being released. You want to stay away from any Puma 6 chip modems period. Ive heard the CM600 from Netgear is good. But Is generally $129 from what I have seen and will not do Gigabit. 

 

Also, Comcast will not do Gigabit over Docsis 3.0. So dont think because the modem is rated for Gigabit that you can get it. Those ratings are bull shit at best. Because its the Cable Provider that will say how fast they will provision the modem. For example the SB6141 can do up to 383Mbps down. They will NOT provision it past 200Mbps. 

Thanks for the info, maybe I'll just stick with a normal modem instead of gigabit then and just upgrade when the time comes (which for all I know could be a long time). Does the SB6141 also have the puma 6 chip (what is the flaw you are referring to? Is there a different modem in the <$50 range you would recommend over the SB6141 ($44) then? What do you think of the CM400 or CM500? Is 16x4 worth it over 8x4 channels?

[Donut417]

3 hours ago, pyrojoe34 said:

Thanks for the info, maybe I'll just stick with a normal modem instead of gigabit then and just upgrade when the time comes (which for all I know could be a long time). Does the SB6141 also have the puma 6 chip (what is the flaw you are referring to? Is there a different modem in the <$50 range you would recommend over the SB6141 ($44) then? What do you think of the CM400 or CM500? Is 16x4 worth it over 8x4 channels?

No I have the 6141 and its fine. But its an older modem that Comcast can turn around and kick off their network at any time. While Customer owned 6141 are allowed, rented ones are EOL, some times when you call to provision the modem the rep just see EOL and wont provision it. So some times it a pain in the ass. If I were to buy a modem it would be the SB6183 or the CM600. 

 

Also, the SB6141 cant not be provisioned above 200Mbps on the Comcast network. So if you do buy that modem keep that in mind if you want to get speeds over 200Mbps.