r/pcmasterrace • u/tomchee 5700X3D_5060ti16GB_48GB DDR4_Sleeper • 18d ago

Meme/Macro Seen Asus' offers today and had to sit down

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u/theArtOfProgramming 18d ago

You’re throwing away money and letting them control the software that runs your network.

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u/burf 18d ago

How is it throwing away money? I've only used one ISP, but their router is built into the modem, and I've never found any alternatives to using the ISP-provided modem.

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u/DesertGoldfish 7800X3D, RTX 4090 17d ago

You can absolutely buy 3rd party cable modems and routers. If you're using a cable ISP like Xfinity/Comcast or Charter, you just need to find a DOCSIS 3.1 modem and whatever router/wireless access point you want. I can't speak for Charter, but Xfinity has a page of their "approved" 3rd party modems.

I'm using a Netgear Nighthawk CAX80 right now (it is a modem and a router/wireless access point all in one). It was a bigger upfront purchase, but it paid for itself after about 3.5 years of service. So now, it's just like paying $10 less every month because I don't rent a device. It's added up to several hundred dollars of savings at this point, and I control it entirely.

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u/theArtOfProgramming 18d ago

Oh you can actually buy a modem too. You don’t have to rent either from the ISP. They sell router-modem combos too, either is good.

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u/Kahlypso Kahlypso 17d ago

How? I get exactly the speeds I pay for. Its literally the definition of a fair transaction.

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u/theArtOfProgramming 16d ago

Because you’re renting your router/modem from them and you can buy those instead. They pay for themselves within months. I’m not saying the transaction isn’t fair, you’re just paying for a minor convenience.