Can anyone recommend a good router?

[Blues X]

Right now we have a Netgear MR314 802.11b router, and it's just not performing nearly as well as I'd like (for example, the PS3 browser speed test show around 550k download and 11k upload). So I'm looking at getting an 802.11g router, but I'm not sure which would be best.

We currently have a PC, one laptop, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and an Iphone. We don't run any P2P programs.

I'd like to get a router that will get along with Xbox Live and the PS network, and that will work with Steam (once I upgrade my desktop, that'll be necessary). I know that some routers have issues with one or more of these gaming services, so I'd like to avoid any problems or workarounds if possible.

We live in a college town, so I need to easily control who/what can connect to the router to avoid having someone in the apartments behind our house connecting to our network to download their midget porn (or whatever).

I know that we should get a G router, but I'm just not sure if an N-draft router is necessary or worth the $$. I could get an N gaming adapter for the 360, but everything else would still be 802.11g and I know that some N routers won't N run speeds well (if at all) in a mixed network environment.

And, if possible, I'd like to get one that works out of the box without having to flash any 2nd-party firmware. I'm more of an audio-visual guy, so when it comes to networking I don't want to argue with it, I just want it to work. So I'm leaning towards ease and stability than tweakability.

I'm not up-to-speed on all the networking terminology and router options, so I really don't know what options are actually worth paying for and which ones would be more or less useless.

So any recommendations from knowledgeable users would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Blues X]

After reading reviews throughout the day, it looks like the D-Link DIR-655 might be a good choice. So any for/against info on that model would be appreciated, too.

 

[narzy]

Generally I tend to avoid D-link, I've never had good luck with their products. That being said, I haven't used them for years, I've heard good things about the DIR-655, so things might have changed for them but because I don't use them, I can't confirm that...

Some people on the forums like the ZyXEL X-550 IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11b/g Xtreme MIMO Wireless Broadband Router http://www.newegg.com/Product/...181218&Tpk=zyxel%2b550 , it gets great reviews on Newegg and is at a sweet price but again can't vouch for it myself.

I tend to like the linksys products but others have had mixed results with them. Or the Apple AirPort Extreme / Express (I know I sound like an apple fanboi lately but I swears I'm not I've just had excellent experiences with their networking hardware.)

 

[Madwand1]

The higher-end D-Link line are nothing like the cheap D-Link of the past -- they generally have a very good reputation, especially from owners (like me). The biggest problem with this line is that they're expensive -- and can be especially grossly overpriced in retail outlets.

OTOH, some retailers have sales at times which are hard to beat. As you're paying a premium price for such products to start, you should try to minimize it by shopping well.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Madwand1
The higher-end D-Link line are nothing like the cheap D-Link of the past -- they generally have a very good reputation, especially from owners (like me). The biggest problem with this line is that they're expensive -- and can be especially grossly overpriced in retail outlets.

OTOH, some retailers have sales at times which are hard to beat. As you're paying a premium price for such products to start, you should try to minimize it by shopping well.

I agree that there are some aspects that appeals in the new D-Link routers, but it is Not the Wireless per-se.

Thus it become a personal decision depending on the person's priorities.

As an Example the Zyxel that was mentioned above provides better Wireless for less.

 

[Griffinhart]

I found this site useful in past:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com...,com_chart/Itemid,189/

IMHO, the DIR-655 is an excellent choice. I've had one for a while now and have been very happy with it.

To answer one of your questions. Draft N can run in Mixed mode and you do take a performance hit. Keep in mind that you only see the performance hit when there is active traffic on both G and N channels. It looks like you get a 40% hit when traffic is running over both channels at the same time with the DIR-655.

 

[Blues X]

Thanks for all the info. I'm leaning towards the 655, but now I'm trying to decide if I would want to pay the extra $$ for a router with 5ghz capability. Or get a cheaper N router so I can also get another one to act as an access point for the 360 and PS3.

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: Blues X
Thanks for all the info. I'm leaning towards the 655, but now I'm trying to decide if I would want to pay the extra $$ for a router with 5ghz capability. Or get a cheaper N router so I can also get another one to act as an access point for the 360 and PS3.

You don't need a 802.11a router. You would need a device that supports it, and in your case the only possibility is your desktop or laptop. With the devices you have, you are better off just getting the DIR-655 or any decent 802.11g router. I personally would try to keep the 360 and PS3 wired(if it's easily possible) to keep wireless bandwidth available to the wii and the computers. Usually an old, cheap dlink 802.11g router, I had a laptop, desktop and wii on a wireless connection and a 360 on a wired connection with any complaints about the speed.

That's just my experience and opinion, so yours could be different.

 

[drebo]

I use the NetGear RangeMAX 802.11g routers all the time, and I have VERY good experiences with them. I would recommend them for any SOHO operation.

 

[JackMDS]

I would be very careful in making a decision based on the chart mentioned few posts above.

Each reader should pay close attention to what this chart actually measures, it might Not pertain to a lot of users, and thus make the device rating false for many.

 

[Blues X]

I wasn't looking at the 802.11a routers. I thought I read that there are 802.11n routers that can use either 2.4 or 5ghz, in case there's too much interference in the 2.4 range.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Blues X
I wasn't looking at the 802.11a routers. I thought I read that there are 802.11n routers that can use either 2.4 or 5ghz, in case there's too much interference in the 2.4 range.

Yes there are, and because of the crowding of the 2.4 GHz spectrum, some people advocate getting to the 5.x GHz whenever possible. But that leaves behind all the standard-g devices, and puts you in a higher pricing level with fewer choices, and also opens you up to lower performance because 5.x GHz has a harder time getting through obstructions, etc.

But if you've got the money, it's not a bad way to go -- leave the standard-g stuff on standard-g 2.4 GHz, and use the 5.x band for the 'leet stuff (so to speak).

 

[mcmilljb]

Originally posted by: Madwand1

Originally posted by: Blues X
I wasn't looking at the 802.11a routers. I thought I read that there are 802.11n routers that can use either 2.4 or 5ghz, in case there's too much interference in the 2.4 range.

Yes there are, and because of the crowding of the 2.4 GHz spectrum, some people advocate getting to the 5.x GHz whenever possible. But that leaves behind all the standard-g devices, and puts you in a higher pricing level with fewer choices, and also opens you up to lower performance because 5.x GHz has a harder time getting through obstructions, etc.

But if you've got the money, it's not a bad way to go -- leave the standard-g stuff on standard-g 2.4 GHz, and use the 5.x band for the 'leet stuff (so to speak).

I wasn't aware that 802.11n could use the 5GHz spectrum, but it looks like it can use 2.4Ghz and the 5ghz at the same time on certain models. The main interference with 2.4Ghz are phones and the microwaves that I can think of right off the top of my head. I justed checked my phone and it uses 5.8Ghz. So maybe people just need to look at what they have and plan accordingly.

Also I would survey around my area to see what channels are being used. I just wish people would turn down their antenna power in places like apartments/condos. If you don't need power for a large range, you're just slowing everyone else down with wasteful interference. Would also increase security because no one wants to get on a network cutting in and out of range.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: Blues X
I wasn't looking at the 802.11a routers. I thought I read that there are 802.11n routers that can use either 2.4 or 5ghz, in case there's too much interference in the 2.4 range.

I would recommend looking for what boards are available that actually use the 5.8 Ghz range. It will probably influence your decision. As far as I can see by checking Netgear, Trendnet, Linksys and dlinks websites none of them sell 5.8Ghz Draft N boards.

It's also worth mentioning that the D-Link Gamer router which does support draft N at 5.8Ghz it does not support 5.8 and 2.4 at the same time. Only their not yet released and REALLY EXPENSIVE DIR-855 Dual Band router will have that feature. This particular router is expected to be $360.

Right now I'm not convinced that even D-Links gaming router is worth the extra money over the DIR-655. And, even though I love buying new hardware, can't see how I can justify the DIR-855's extremely high cost.

 

[Blues X]

Originally posted by: Griffinhart

Right now I'm not convinced that even D-Links gaming router is worth the extra money over the DIR-655. And, even though I love buying new hardware, can't see how I can justify the DIR-855's extremely high cost.

That's the conclusion I'm coming to as well. The 855 is way too high, and the 4500 gaming router just doesn't seem worth the extra $$ based on what I've read.

It looks like the 5ghz capability is costing too much right now, at least for my needs. And my cordless phone is listed as using 900mhz, so I shouldn't have too many problems just using a 2.4ghz router.

 

[vailr]

"The Best Wireless "N" Router So Far"
http://www.winxpcentral.com/fo...23268&highlight=D-Link