Looking for a new router

[Asura000]

Hey,

In the market to buy a new router to replace my old D-link G604GT. I usually am a heavy internet user, play games mostly on my PC (wired connection), have a xbox360(wired connection) and ps3(wireless) linked and another laptop which uses the internet frequently (Wired/sometimes wireless).

Now I always trust a good old wired connection for my PC as I game alot, but I have to consider a router which also offers me wireless connectivity for my ps3, and my laptop if my cable cant reach the room I'm in.

So my options are:

NETGEAR DG834G (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/52244)

Belkin N Wireless ADSL2+ Router (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132751)

Linksys WAG160N Ultra RangePlus (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142701)

I'm also curious to know if there's any benefit buying a 300mbps data transfer rate routers as compared to the normal 54mbps data transfer rates.

So any help on which router would be a better purchase would be much appreciated!

Many thanks.

 

[Rebooted]

Originally posted by: Asura000
Hey,

In the market to buy a new router to replace my old D-link G604GT. I usually am a heavy internet user, play games mostly on my PC (wired connection), have a xbox360(wired connection) and ps3(wireless) linked and another laptop which uses the internet frequently (Wired/sometimes wireless).

Now I always trust a good old wired connection for my PC as I game alot, but I have to consider a router which also offers me wireless connectivity for my ps3, and my laptop if my cable cant reach the room I'm in.

So my options are:

NETGEAR DG834G (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/52244)

Belkin N Wireless ADSL2+ Router (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132751)

Linksys WAG160N Ultra RangePlus (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142701)

I'm also curious to know if there's any benefit buying a 300mbps data transfer rate routers as compared to the normal 54mbps data transfer rates.

So any help on which router would be a better purchase would be much appreciated!

Many thanks.

I currently have the LinkSys WAG160N router. Stable, fast, and reliable thus far. I have also used the Belkin N Wireless router and it too was stable and fast. If I remember correctly, it was more expensive than the Linksys which made me choose LinkSys over the Belkin.

No experience with the Netgear, so I don't have any comments.

 

[JackMDS]

Do not buy a combo Modem/Router.

The Router part of them is bellow mediocre and they provide much less flexibility than stand alone units, in adidition if one aspects goes bad you ave to replace the whole unit.

Otherwise:

Inexpensive Flashable with DD-WRT*.
Asus WL-520GU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833320023

--------------------
Very Solid with DD-WRT (Mediocre Wireless).

Linksys WRT54GL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833124190

--------------------

Not compatible with DD-WRT but as is features rich and Good Wireless.

Zyxel 550 -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...181218&Tpk=zyxel%2b550

---------------------
*What is DD-WRT?

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/ind...hat_is_%22DD-WRT%22%3F

===========

OK, but why Not 802.11n?

Because there is No 802.11n standard, there is only Draft-N pre/maybe hardware.

Almost all the manufacturers claim on the front page of the Data Sheets that it would be compatible with the 802.11n standard when it comes out.

Then put in small letters on the last page a Disclaimer that basically voids what was stated on the first page.

Quote from a top manufacturer Data Sheet (I Bolded few words).

"This product is based on IEEE draft 802.11n specifications and is not guaranteed to be
forward compatible with future versions of IEEE 802.11n specifications. Compatibility
with draft 802.11n devices from other manufacturers is not guaranteed. All references
to speed and range are for comparison purposes only. Product specifications, size and
shape are subject to change without notice, and actual product appearance may differ
from that depicted herein".
End of Quote.

The standard is Not out because the concerned parties are fighting over it. Therefore, it is implicit that at the end the Draft-N devices of the losers will not be compatible or upgradable.

To benefit from Draft-N the Router and the Wireless card have to be Draft-N.

The Hardware is currently about $80 +$80 for Router and a card for the first computer. and $80 for each additional one.

What you get for this money?

Technologically 802.11n improves the transfer speed between Local computers (It does not improve Internet Speed).

Therefore, if someone really uses the Wireless for serious Wireless LAN work it might be a consideration to get a Draft-N, otherwise saving few seconds on casual transfer does not worth the investment.

Second advantage of N might be coverage. However, the expectations are really exaggerated. In most cases if the environment is highly unfriendly to Wireless, switching from g to N is Not going to yield dramatic improvement. The RF output of the N is the same as the g (about 33mW) the bandwidth gains are achieve by the additional MIMO arrangement of the Antennae.

Some Routers have a Giga switch. However, in most of them the switch is mediocre and bellow.

I find that if One uses a separate Giga switch for the Giga capable computers, and uses the Router's port for the 100Mb/sec. devices, the Giga part of the network works better.

In sum, buy a Draft-N if there is a real technological advantage for your specific Network, otherwise leave Trendy waste of money to others.