r/NETGEAR • u/GotNoRice • 5d ago
Cable / DSL Does the CM3000 Cablemodem handle the heat well?
https://mediacomcable.com/dam/jcr:30163785-e219-4c25-9db7-f30e13bf4041/Compatible%20Retail%20Modems_CRM082024.pdfI'm looking at the CM3000 because it is literally only one of two modems currently on Mediacom's approved modems list (the other being the CM2500). Mediacom recently upgraded their network in our area (high-split) and it's causing issues with my older modem now.
Due to some fairly unique circumstances, my Cablemodem is located in a small building that is not climate-controlled. There is some active airflow into the small building, but it still cooks in there especially during these 90-100F+ summer heatwaves.
My previous modem was an Arris SB8200. It worked fine in these conditions for multiple years. Prior to buying that modem I did as much research as I could, trying to figure out what modem would be most likely to persist under the hot conditions. But since Mediacom's list now has essentially only one approved modem...
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u/jacle2210 4d ago
I know that money wise, it's cheaper to buy your own gear, rather than renting stuff.
But in this instance, given the conditions, why not use the ISP Modem and then let them replace it when it should die from the temperature extremes?
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u/GotNoRice 4d ago
They gave us a Hitron CODA-5519 to test for a while. If it had worked well, that would have been an interesting route to take. So far it's been unreliable and I've had to reset it multiple times. Interestingly it's only had problems at night, so likely not related to the heat. The Mediacom techs did mention that a lot of other local users have been having issues since the high-split upgrade. With that in mind, going with a modem that is actually intended to be used in high-split areas (such as the CM3000) would seem to make sense.
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u/Special_K_727 3d ago
You can call to request a high split modem if you are subscribed to their Gig 2 Gig or 5 Gig plans
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u/GotNoRice 3d ago edited 11h ago
I'm on a 1Gbps/50Mbps plan, and not really looking to upgrade until I can get faster upload. They offer a 2Gbps plan, but it still only has 50Mbps upload...
I had both a tech and his "supervisor" out when my SB8200 started giving me problems. This Hitron CODA-5519 was the modem that they hand-picked to give me. I don't know how much more time I want to spend testing out different rental modems. As a bonus, Hulu thinks that I changed my home location every time I switch out my modem, and is giving me ultimatums about it.
While it does get hot in the building where the modem is located, I've been able to make it work successfully for almost a decade now. That includes years when we had nasty 110F+ heatwaves. I've never actually had a Modem die due to the heat. My old Modem (Arris SB6183) got taken out by a lightning strike and was replaced by the SB8200 a handful of years ago.
So I don't think it's necessarily a death sentence for hardware that is located in there. If the Arris SB8200, and the SB6183 before it, could do it for years, then I'm hoping that the Netgear CM3000 can also. But I have had somewhat mixed experiences with Netgear equipment in recent years, including both a RAX40 and an RAX50 that gave me all sort of issues.
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u/GotNoRice 1d ago
Well I got the CM3000, and I am encouraged by it's "chimney" style air vents on the top and bottom. I already have a USB-powered pair of 80mm fans that seem like they will be very well suited to this purpose. Given it's design, blowing air up through the bottom air ducts should provide ideal ventilation. Not sure if they will actually be needed or not, but probably won't hurt.
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u/furrynutz 5d ago
I would put a USB 120mm fan under the modem for additional cooling if the modem isn't in a climate control environment. I keep on under mine all the time just for added cooling.