Modem chipset question

[randomName]

I didn't want to throw the RT5300 thread off topic but I wanted to ask if there were any known issues with the Puma 5 chipset? Backing up a little bit I have a SB6141 modem and I thought I read it has a Texas Instrument CPU now I'm reading it's a Puma 5?

https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Motorola_SURFboard_SB6141

https://www.ti.com/lit/ml/spat181/spat181.pdf

Thanks for the help

 

[randomName]

So I did a little more reading and found this article. Apparently the Puma chipsets from 5 through 7 have the same issue.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/09/intel_puma_modem_woes/

 

[randomName]

There is this game I play that the netstats shows Std & Max Deviations and it is almost constantly hitting high deviations.

I think I am in need of both a Cable Modem & Router upgrade. Sucks that these new modems aren't Full Duplex, yet.

My choices:
Netgear CM600
Netgear CM1000
Arris SB8200
Motorola MB8600

What is Active Queue Management (AQM) on the Motorola?

For a Router I'm thinking the Asus 86U, or the Asus GT AC5300


EDIT: Sorry, I meant the Asus GT AC5300

 

[randomName]

How is the Arris SB6183? Any issues with that one? It's broadcom, too, right?

Or the Zoom 5370

 

[sfx2000]

Information about Arris SB6183 and Puma 5/6

You're confusing 6183 with the 6190 - the SB6190 is the problem child with Puma 6

the SB6183's have been rock solid, like the SB6141's...

 

[sfx2000]

I have a SB6141 modem

The SB6141 is a good DOCSIS 3.0 modem - I replaced my 6141 only because of an minor electrical issue (big bolt of lightning fried it) and replaced with an SB6183 - performance with my ISP and the account profile (I'm 150 down/10 up) was exactly the same.

 

[randomName]

The OP compares the two modems. I think that was part of the point.

On another note I posted a few things earlier in the thread. I play a game that has a Deviation indicator and I randomly see HUGE ping deviations. My SB6141 has a Puma 5 chip and I posted a link that says the issue the 6 has also stems from the 5 through the 7. I'm just stating these things, I have no scientific proof but there seems to be a connection. I don't have it as bad as the Puma 6 chips do as shown on the SB6190

EDIT: either way the SB6141 has a Puma chip in it and I'm considering getting away from it and going to a Broadcom chip. Router is old too, it's a N66U. Gaming improves when both WiFi antennas are turned off, also, so it might be time to step things up a little.

 

[sfx2000]

SB6183 is Broadcom based... the SB6141, which is Puma, is not intel based, it's pre-Intel, and based on ARM...

I have no problems recommending the 6141 if the 6183 isn't available.

 

[randomName]

Is there a tool I can test my modem with?

 

[randomName]

The Puma 5 is a Texas Instruments chip, IIRC. I'm in-game RIGHT how as I type this on my gaming PC playing the game that shows Std & Max Deviations and It's having issues pretty bad.

 

[sfx2000]

Please Read this!

your point being?

TCP is fine in that graph w/Puma 5 - you can see that Puma 6 is a bit challenged.

Please if you must, elaborate on your methods - feel free to push a github link with your test scripts...

 

[sfx2000]

going back thru this thread - I see what's going on here... there's innuendo and "links" to questionable sources - I know there's talk of, and actual suits filed, so maybe this is just getting SNB forums involved somehow.

I'm done with it...

@thiggins - up to you, man... I'm suggesting to either lock or nuke the thread.

 

[sfx2000]

@sfx2000 sorry for attacking.

Apology accepted

 

[scjr]

the SB6183's have been rock solid, like the SB6141's...

Same here. Been running my SB6183 for a few months now and it’s a solid modem.

 

[FreshJR]

Is Puma5 the TI TNETC4830 chipset?

I used to use that in an SB6121 for like 6 years. It was pretty solid.

Broadcom makes solid chipsets tho.

 

[sfx2000]

I used to use that in an SB6121 for like 6 years. It was pretty solid.

The 6121, 6141, 6183 have a good reputation - the 6190 has been problematic, and that's the PUMA chip that is x86 based. There's a huge amount of discussion on the 6190 over at the dslreports.com forums on that particular modem (and variants as well for residential gateway all-in-ones)

There's been some work to re-mediate the problem, to differing degrees of success depending on the Cable operator (there's some interop issues at hand as well with different head-end units).

 

[FreshJR]

There's been some work to re-mediate the problem

Off Topic:

bleh don't get me started on intel wireless chipsets.
"upgrading" to an iPhone7 has been a nightmare. The intel chipset is significantly weaker compared to their qualcomm rivals in fringe service areas.

It seem's intel doesn't have the skill necessary to compete in this area.

I too whole heartedly support broadcomm only recommendations.

This does not apply to all their products, but they did release some MAJOR duds.

 

[randomName]

Is Puma5 the TI TNETC4830 chipset?

I used to use that in an SB6121 for like 6 years. It was pretty solid.

Broadcom makes solid chipsets tho.

Yes, and it also has issues like the 6, & 7

http://www.badmodems.com/Issue3.htm

It's also in the 6141. I used those two modems the past 6-7yrs and always knew something just felt off. When I switched from dial-up it honestly felt worse when gaming.

 

[FreshJR]

Yes, and it also has issues like the 6, & 7

http://www.badmodems.com/Issue3.htm

It's also in the 6141. I used those two modems the past 6-7yrs and always knew something just felt off. When I switched from dial-up it honestly felt worse when gaming.

I still have remote access to networks running an sb6141 and sb6183
Can you recommend some tests to perform.

I just tried pingplotter 100hz tcp dns requests and could not repeat the linked results.

--

I will feel like an idiot since I recommended the Motorola modems to many people. I even read about intels issues with the puma chipset but did not imagine that it was hiding under the Texas Instruments branding !!!

A $50, a modem upgrade isn't too bad vs the ISP $7/month lease fee.

EDIT: After some more research, the Puma5 chipset does not have a latency issue.
It is VERY vulnerable to ddos attacks (you can take it down with 1device and 1mbps of traffic).

 

[randomName]

It's only been my personal experience when switching to a new cable modem (from the Puma 5 to a Broadcom chip) that games ran better, networking wise. I never ran a test or anything, I just did a ton of research after reading a post someone made in the GT 5300 thread about the Puma chip. What I could do though is change back to my old modem, run the game that offers a live netstat overlay that shows Ping, Standard Deviation, & Max Deviation. My normal ping to a server I play on is generally around 50-60. In an online match with a full server (10 player) you can watch the netstat overlay randomly produce wild ping spikes indicated by the Std, & Max ping deviations.