SURFboard SB6183 Vs Netgear CM500- Which One Will Keep You Streaming?
Sometimes we pay for an internet plan whose maximum speeds we never experience. A change of the cable modem the ISP rents to you can make a big difference. This Surfboard SB6183 VsNetgear CM500 will show you how.
The maximum internet speed we achieve is always determined by the capacity of the cable modem. A good way of stopping to pay for what you don’t use in the internet plan, is starting to use the full range of what you pay for. This t is as easy as buying a better cable modem. Both the Surfboard SB6183 and Netgear CM500 come from reputable manufacturers that are compatible with major ISPs. The cable modems are popular with people switching from renting ISP cable modems. Maybe the fact that their speeds cover the popular home internet plan may have something to do with this. Anyway, they specifications look so alike, that it would be good to find out which one is better. Let’s see what this comparison will uncover.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between SB6183 and Netgear CM500?
SB6183 |
Netgear CM500 (Winner) |
|
Speed (Mbps) |
Download speed- 686 Mbps
Upload speed- 131 Mbps |
Download speeds-686 Mbps
Upload speeds- 131 Mbps |
DOCSIS Certification |
3.0 |
3.0 |
Channel Bonding |
16 X 4 |
16 X 4 |
Dimensions |
5.0 x 2.1 x 5.0 inches , 1.41lbs |
8.8 x 3.8 x 7.2 inches |
Chipset |
Broadcom BCM33843D |
Broadcom BCM33843 |
Gigabit ports |
1 |
1 |
Surfboard SB6183 VsNetgear CM500- How do they compare?
There are many varieties of cable modems out there, but Motorola SURFboard SB6183 and the Netgear CM500 remain popular. Both modems seem to have similar hardware and performance. We may be forced to dig deep to discover how they compare.
Design
Both the SB6183 and the Netgear CM500 have elegant stylish designs intended to appeal to the visual taste of its users. With its white plastic case the SB6183 gives an impression of a wrapping around a small main rectangle body.Its corners are all rounded and soft with a lot of vent holes around the case to help with airflow.Most importantly, the modem has an option of being mounted on the wall. This helps to save on space. SB6183 is quite small at 5.0 x 2.1 x 5.0 inches. It weighs 1.41lbs.
Netgear CM500 has a black plastic case elegantly fitted with round corners and a glossy finishing. This modem is designed in a way that its glossy finishing retains fingerprints.Moreover, the CM500 can only be positioned upwards – it cannot be mounted on a wall. It measures 2.4 x 4.9 x 7.3 inches and weighs 0.62lbs. The modem has a stand so it is stable, despite its light weight. The SB6183 can be mounted on the wall, it has the option of saving on desk space. This makes it the better performer.
Hardware
The SB6183 comes well equipped with a Broadcom’s BCM33843D dual thread processor, clocked at 600MHz. It has a 1GB RAM and a 64-Mbit Flash Memory. The CM500 with its Broadcom BCM33843 CPU is just as well as well equipped, having 128 MB of RAM and an 8 MB flash memory. Low RAM capacity makes the device slow when processing tasks that require high memory usage. Moreover, its Broadcom BCM33843 chipset features full-band capture digital tuners. These cover the entire 1 GHz downstream spectrum and are useful in diagnostics, cutting down on power consumption and reducing space requirements. For the 1GB RAM, SB6183 is the better performer.
Affordability
Sb6183 and CM500 have the same features and performance. The CM500 however costs slightly lower than the SB6163.
Arris SB6183 VsNetgear CM500 – AComparative Overview
The Arris SB6183 Overview
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The DOCSIS 3.0 Arris SB6183 modem is a faster and upgraded version of its predecessor the SB6141. It has a sleek and fresh design with the capability of providing download speeds of 686 Mbps and uploads speeds of up to 131 Mbps. The SB6183 is equipped with a dual thread processor, clocked at 600MHz, along with a 1GB DD3 SDRAM as well as a 64-Mbit 3.0 V SPI flash memory – all features for improving the overall performance of the modem.
Moreover, the SB6183 has one Gigabit Ethernet Port intended for purposes of connecting to a Wi-Fi router or other device. Importantly the SB6183 does not support cable digital voice service and does not include Wi-Fi as well. A cable internet service is a requirement.
This being a DOCSIS 3.0 certified modem means that it is eight times faster than a DOCSIS 2.0 modem and as such is capable of transferring data over high speeds. This is the perfect modem for streaming of HD movies, online gaming and downloading large files.
Pros
- High speeds
- Easy web access
- Works with many ISPs
Cons
- Not future proof
- Prone to overheating
Netgear CM500 Overview
- Save monthly rental fees: Model CM500 replaces your cable modem, saving you up to $168/yr in equipment...
- Speeds by carrier: Spectrum (up to 400Mbps), Xfinity (up to 200Mbps), Cox (up to 150Mbps).
Netgear CM500 has hardware features like its 8MB NOR flash memory and a 128 MB of RAM for improving the overall performance of the modem. It is DOCSIS 3.0 certified meaning it is eight times faster than any 2.0 device and is able to support up to 16 downstream channels with speeds of up to 686 Mbps downstream and upstream speeds of 131 Mbps.
CM500 is compatible with all of the major service providers in the US with certifications from Xfinity by Comcast, Cox and Spectrum. However, the CM500 is not compatible with any bundled voice service. So the likes of AT & T, CenturyLink, Verizon among others are not compatible with it.The modem has one Gigabit Ethernet Port that can be connected to any Wi-Fi router or any other separate device. As such any wireless device that you might have can be supported by the CM500 Ethernet port.
Pros
- Gigabit Ethernet port
- Fast download and upload speeds
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Prone to overheating
Conclusion
Ariss SB6183 and Netgear CM500are very similar in design, hardware and performance. They provide reliable fast speeds that can serve an average family well. Choosing the one for you may come down to popularity and cost. If you want all the good qualities discussed at an affordable cost, then the CM500 would do for you. If however , you prefer to go with popularity, then you wouldn’t go wrong with SB6183.
Verdict: Which is Better – SB6183 or CM500?
The CM500is our pick in this comparison, because it comes from a reputable company too, and offers all the benefits that SB6183 offers, but at an affordable cost.
FAQ’s
Does the Arris SB6183 have Wi-Fi?
This is the question that is usually on everyone’s mind and that is whether the SB6183 is able to provide Wi-Fi or wireless access. The answer is No. This is because the SB6183 is a cable modem only. If you desire wireless access you will need a wireless router to go with your modem.
Is Netgear CM500 compatible with Xfinity?
The Netgear CM500 has the capability of providing a connection to high speed cable internet with speeds up to 680Mbps. It is cable labs certified and comes with DOCSIS 3.0 protocol. The CM500 works with U.S cable internet provider Comcast Xfintiy and more others.