Motorola MB7420 Vs ArrisSB6190- Which one is a better buy?
If internet is always faster in your neighbor’s house, then you need to take a hard look at the ISP rented cable modem. It may be old with very low internet caps. This Motorola MB7420 VsArris SB619 simplifies shopping for a good cable modem.
Lags, buffering and internet congestion are some of the things that can frustrate one’s experience when surfing on the internet. Since we can’t avoid using the internet, finding a solution to our experience with it is of great importance. Buying your own cable modem gives you the option of choosing the best there is in the market. In addition, it saves you modem rental charges from your ISP in the long run. The Motorola MB7420 and the Arris SB6190 are amongst the best cable modems in the market. Backed by the DOCSIS 3.0 protocol’s Gigabit speed potential, the modems promise speeds that would support not just lag-free browsing and downloading of content, but heavy HD streaming and multi-player online gaming as well. Let us take a look at each of these cable modems.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Motorola MB7420 VsArris SB6190?
Model |
Motorola MB7420 (Winner) |
Arris SB6190 |
Speed (Mbps) |
Download speed- 686 Mbps
Upload speed- 123 Mbps |
Download Speed-1.4Gbps
Upload speed- 240 Mbps |
Channels |
16-Download channels
4-Upload channels |
32-Download channels
8- Upload channels |
Chipset |
Broadcom BCM3384 |
Intel Puma 6 |
DOCSIS Certification |
3.0 |
3.0 |
Gigabit Ports |
1 |
1 |
Dimensions and Weight |
4.9 X 2.1 X 6.1; 0.58lbs |
6.4 X 2 X 8.7; 1.12lbs |
Motorola MB7420 VsArris 6190- How do they Compare?
Channel Bonding and Performance
The Arris SB6190 has 32 downstream channels and 8 upstream channels and is therefore capable of a 32 x 8bonding. On the other hand, Motorola MB7420 has 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels and is capable of a 16 x 4bonding. This channel bonding technology is incorporated in the Docsis 3.0 protocol and allows modems to utilize multiple channels at the same time for data transmission. It is very similar to the lanes on a highway, and has the overall effect of reducing congestion, improving speeds and thereby increasing the modem’s performance.The more the download channels available the higher the speeds achieve. SB6190 therefore has maximum speeds of 1.4Gbps while MB7420 has maximum speeds of 686Mbps.Since SB6190 has more upstream and downstream channels compared to the MB7420, it therefore follows that it supports higher speeds.
Chipset
Motorola MB7420 comes equipped with the Broadcom BCM3384 chipset. It is known to be stable and reliable. Further, the chipset has a Full Band Capture Digital Tuner which ensures consistently fast speeds form the service provider. This feature that promotes stable speeds.
SB6190 on its part uses the Intel puma 6 chipset which has been plagued by controversy for some time now. Users with modems with chipset have reported that the modems experience latency jitters extensive enough to ruin real-time connections include online gaming. The problem seems to originate from the CPU having to handle too work during processing of network packets. This is a result of a high-priority maintenance task running every few seconds. Affecting the IPV4 and IPV6, the defect results in momentary high spikes in latency which bogs down all real-time internet interactions that need fast response times. Websites fail to load or become sluggish. The stable Broadcom chipset makes the MB7420 a better performer in terms of the chipset.
Design
The designs for both the MB7420 and SB6190 are appealing to the eyes. Arris SB6190 sports an elegant and very impressive finishing. It is also quite heavy at 1.12Ibs. Being heavy makes a modem more stable. Coming at 6.4 x 2.0 x 8.7 inches the modem is convenient to have in areas with tight space situations. Moreover, it also comes in both white and black which offer color preference options in users. Furthermore, SB6190 has 1 Gigabit LAN port that allows you to connect to gaming stations, computers and HDTV
MB7420 has a sleek design and smooth edges to ensure its display is classy and as elegant as can be. The modem weighs a paltry 0.58 Ibsand measures 4.9 X 2.1 X 6.1 inches. This small and compact design makes it very convenient to have at home or in the office. It has 1 Ethernet port for connecting to a router as well as front panel LEDs for easy troubleshooting functions.MB7420 only comes in color black. The elegance and heavy weight of the SB6190 makes it better in design. Heaviness in a modem makes it stable.
Motorola MB7420 Vs Arris SB6190- A Comparison Overview
Motorola MB7420
- This 16x4 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem provides speeds up to 686 Mbps, sixteen times faster than DOCSIS 2.0. A...
- Cable modem's Ethernet port connects to a computer, HDTV, game station, or wireless router. (This Model...
This is a modem is worth having in your home or workplace. Powered by Docsis 3.0, it offers fast speeds of up to 686 Mbps . Combined with its 16 X 4 channel bonding the modem supports high-speed internet surfing, HDTV, gaming stations and downloading content. Motorola MB7420 has a back panel that is color coded with ports labeled clearly to avoid getting wires crossed. The modem has 1 Gigabit port and vents on either side to check over-heating.
Moreover, the MB7420’s available Ethernet port helps connects to a computer, gaming station and HDTV and wireless router. It is perfect for internet plans of up to 300Mbps, is easy to set up and has minimal interruptions. This modem is compatible with Cox, Time Warner Cable, Brighthouse, Charter Spectrum and Comcast Xfinity. All the same, it does not include a Wi-Fi router. Neither does it support digital voice service.
Pros
- Fast speeds
- Easy to set up
- Compact sleek design
- Have power surge circuits
- Compatible with major ISPs
Cons
- Has been known to have stability issues
- No built-in Wi-Fi router
Arris SB6190
- Compatible with major U.S. Cable Internet Providers including Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity & others. Not...
- DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem best for cable internet speed plans up to 600 Mbps
Arris SB6190 is intended to change the way internet surfing, HD-Multimedia streaming and high performance online gaming is done. It is popular for its great number of bonded channels of 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels. This points to great data throughput capabilities.
The modem is perfect for home ISP internet speed plans of up to 400mbps. Its 1 gigabit Ethernet port makes direct connection to heavy internet devices like gaming consoles and smart TVs possible. Alternatively, a Wi-Fi router can be plugged in to offer wireless internet to multiple devices. The modem also has LED lights that appraise on their connectivity status. Setting it up is as easy as connecting the cables, contacting your ISP to activate and connecting your device or Wi-Fi router. Its intel puma chipset has however been associated with jitters and latency.
Pros
- Up to 12 devices can be connected at once
- Great speeds and remarkable throughput
- Wide reach within the home and office space.
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Connection with some ISPs is problematic
- Suffers latency and Jitters
Conclusion
Well, these two cable modems present a very interesting situation. The MB7420 has lower speeds but a reliable chipset, while theSB6190has extremely fast speeds, but a questionable chipset. To decide on a product, one has to make a trade-off between these 2 scenarios and his/her needs. If your internet needs require heavy duty internet functions, then you need the super speeds supported by the Arris. If on the other hand your needs just require moderate high speeds, then consider having the Motorola.
Verdict: Which is Better – the Motorola MB7420 or the Arris SB6190?
Its Broadcom chipset makes the MB7420a clear winner in this comparison. Moreover, its speeds are still quite high, so the modem is able to serve moderate to heavy bandwidth-consuming .
FAQ’s
Does Arris 6190 have WIFI?
No, the ArrisSB6190 has no in-built WIFI.
How long does an Arris Modem last?
It is advisable to replace cable modems every 5 years.
