It depends on your preferences. The starting signal is provided by a coaxial cable that connects to the modem like it would to a tv. From the modem you can then connect four Ethernet cables to be connected to computer, printers, etc... Price differences on the cable isn't that different either. 50 feet of coaxial cable cost $39.99 and 50 feet of Ethernet cable cost $29.99. You also would have to consider that the Wi-Fi signal is stronger the closer you are to it so if you use Wi-Fi more when your down in the basement when the modem is upstairs then the signal won't be that strong. So put the modem where you would use Wi-Fi the most to get the best signal out of it or if not using Wi-Fi then I would recommend putting the modem close to your Ethernet connected devices to use one long coaxial cable and then up to four short Ethernet cable instead of one short coaxial cable and four long Ethernet cables.