Linksys CM3024 modem review: Speeds up to 960Mbps

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Techaeris Rated 9.6/10

If you’re not clued into a little known fact yet about cable provider modems and gateways let me clue you in now. Cable companies like Comcast, Time Warner, Cox and Charter don’t exactly provide you with the most reliable hardware. The cable provider is there to make money and give out as little as possible in the name of maximizing their service for everyone. The truth is, the provider’s modem, gateways and routers just won’t perform as well as something like the Linksys CM3024. Read on below to find out why the Linksys Cm3024 cable modem is one of our Top Picks of 2016 or take a look at this guide for an up to date comparison of the best cable modems.

Specifications

Cable (DOCSIS) Standards:

  • DOCSIS 1.1 Certified
  • DOCSIS 2.0 Certified
  • DOCSIS 3.0 Certified

Network Standards:

  • IEEE802.3
  • IEEE802.3u
  • IEEE802.3ab
  • IPv6 support (Internet Protocol Version 6)

Ports:

  • 1x Gigabit Ethernet

Maximum Line Rate:

  • Up to 960Mbps Download, Up to 240 Mbps Upload

LEDs:

  • Power, DS (Downstream), US (Upstream), Status, Link

Buttons:

  • Reset

Power:

  • 12V 2A

Interfaces:

  • Cable: F-type female 75 ohm
  • Warranty and Support:
  • 1-year limited warranty
  • 90-day complimentary assisted technical support

Linksys CM3024

Design

Okay, so it’s a modem. How much of a design should I be expecting? Some hardware makers these days are realizing the importance of exterior aesthetic design. The D-Link AC3200 is evidence of that. While D-Link’s crazy designs aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, they are refreshing compared to the basic black box of the Linksys CM3024. That being said, the CM3024 isn’t ugly, it’s just basic looking, and that is okay.

On the front of the unit you have five LED lights indicating power, receive, send, status and Ethernet. Around the back you’ll find the reset button, power connection, internet port and cable connection. The sides and top of the unit are vented very well giving copious amount of cooling to the modem. It’s all very basic and with very little bells and whistles, but the Linksys CM3024 works like a beast.

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Ease of Use

Setup is dead simple with very little to do. The hardest part of the process just might be registering the device with your cable provider. I use Comcast, and before I could go online I had to follow the registration process Comcast has setup for hardware. The process isn’t difficult and should take 10 minutes or less if you don’t run into any snags. I’m not certain about Time Warner, Cox, Charter or any other providers. Once you have the cable connection in and your Ethernet cable plugged into the Linksys CM3024 and your router, you’re set.

Another plus is there’s no software to deal with…it’s just plug and play. The Linksys CM3024 is DOCSIS 3.0 which supports up to 960 Mbps which is much more than the average user currently has. Hardcore techies might scoff at this modem and tell you to wait for a DOCSIS 3.1 version which will support Gigabit internet, and you very well could. But first ask yourself if you’re going to see Gigabit internet anytime soon and what the cost is for that service.

Yes, the Linksys CM3024 doesn’t make sense for you if you’re planning on plunking down the scratch for Gigabit internet. But if you’re still on economy or even extreme/ultimate performance, the CM3024 is going to be a solid buy for you. The gateway Comcast had us set up on was holding back the network capabilities and bringing my wireless router speeds down to excruciating levels. Once I replaced it with the CM3024 I noticed my speeds increase back to where they should be. Like I said before, there’s nothing hard about using this cable modem. Dealing with your cable provider may be the most difficult part.

Performance

Unfortunately I’m not in an area in which I could take full advantage of the DOCSIS 3.0 speeds of 960 Mbps but I was able to pull speeds of over 100 Mbps (wired) regularly. If your internet plan is 100 Mbps you should theoretically see modem speeds of up to 343 Mbps. If you’re lucky enough to afford or have access to internet plans of up to 300 Mbps then this baby should max out at 960 Mbps. As I said, I was able to attain over 100 Mbps while paying for a 75 Mbps internet plan. Even running through my D-Link router and using the Linksys AC1200 USB Wi-Fi adapter saw speeds of over 80 Mbps.

Linksys CM3024
Speedtest wireless on second floor, router and modem on bottom floor.

It’s important to note that these advertised DOCSIS speeds aren’t always attainable. Speeds are highly dependent not only on your hardware but also the hardware the source has. For a more in depth of DOCSIS and internet speeds check out OOKLA’s write up which explains it fairly well without hurting your brain. Comcast does offer 300 Mbps internet in my area but I haven’t found that I needed it and I’m cheap. I have found that using your own modem and router will almost always give you a bit better speeds than what you’re paying for. I’ve also found that using the providers hardware almost always gives you slower speeds than what you’re paying for.

Linksys CM3024

Price/Value

$129.99 may seem pricey, but weigh that against what you pay to lease your provider’s modem/gateway. You could possibly have this paid off in a year compared to always paying for the provider’s hardware. This is going to save you money in the long run as well as give you better performance.

Wrap Up

This is a solid buy to boost your internet performance in your home and highly recommended. You may want to wait for the DOCSIS 3.1 version if you plan on getting internet speeds faster than 960 Mbps. You should also note that if you’re currently using a gateway from your provider, you’ll need your own router to make the Linksys CM3024 work wirelessly. But seriously, using your own modem/router setup not only saves you money in the long run. It will increase your speeds and performance.

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*We were sent a review sample of the Linksys CM3024 modem for the purposes of this review.

Last Updated on February 20, 2020.

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