Mhirsch
@pacret.com
| New wifi router for gaming
I am looking to by a new wireless router as my linksys running tomatoe(sp) is getting really old and tired.
I am looking for something that can supply a strong signal throughout a 2bedroom appartment. (I have external antennas on the old linksys.)
We have 3 laptops of various makes and one HP media center. Most of our usage is World of Warcraft x2 or 3 at a time. We do use it for things like Hulu as well. I do at times use it to download torrents, but only at slow usage times (not when playing). I have not yet, but would like to be able to set our media machine as a media server for the other comps in the future.
Three comps run Vista and one runs XP. Soon the Vista's will be Windows 7.
I do plan to lock the Mac addresses and such so that no one "borrows" our signal.
Based on that, can anyone suggest a decent wifi router?
Also, we are looking at a new internet provider as well. We have the option of Fios and Roadrunner in Huntington Beach, CA. Can anyone give a good opinion on which is better? We are leaning toward Fios right now.
Thanks. |
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stevech0
join:2006-09-17
San Diego, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·VoicePulse
1 edit | WiFi is all about the client-to-access point/router signal strength. Not the to-client strength. This is because the PC/game transmitter is often inferior.
Locking the MAC addresses is not a good security strategy. Your first line of defense is use of WEP128 or WPA encryption and don't reveal the keys to untrusted people.
If that Linksys is a WRT54G or GL, it's fine. IMO, spend $100 on a new one will not change your on line experience nor the coverage.
You can improve things with optimal placement of your w-router and improve the antenna or WiFi define on the clients.
Sometimes people want to buy a new wireless router for the heck of it. Prettier user interface.
Tomato/DD-WRT do have the means to prioritize your game traffic over browser and FTP traffic. Not many new routers do that, or they cost too much. |
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Siryak
join:2005-11-26
 ·WildBlue
2 edits | Well I will give you the same advice someone just got through giving me. I would wait until the new routers with the finalized N spec comes out. You really aren't going to need anything more than G until you start using it for media streaming anyway. If you can't wait then I would say beware of some of the d-link gaming routers. They are having a lot of trouble with firmware issues.(Just link in the D-Link section and you will see what I am talking about)
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[IMG]»img218.imageshack.us/img218/2636···3dg6.gif
Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit / Q6600 / 9800GT / 4GB RAM |
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Mhirsch
@pacret.com | reply to Mhirsch
I am asking because we are moving into a new place and need to buy a new router. (as well as new internet provider) |
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stevech0
join:2006-09-17
San Diego, CA
2 edits | you said
my linksys running tomatoe(sp) is getting really old and tired.
we said
Keep what you have.
Alternative: buy a $40 11g router. IMO, that would be Linksys, Buffalo or Belkin, maybe ZyXel |
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anwaypasible
join:2007-11-09
Kankakee, IL
| i can game on 802.11b
so the recommendations for G or N are overkill.
first of all.. the first reply to the original post clearly said,
wifi products are all about transmission strength.. NOT about receive sensitivity, therefore the pc/game adapter is often inferior.
you will find that most wifi adapters have a higher transmission level AND a higher receive sensitivity while using 802.11b
it only makes sense to purchase a product that reveals the transmission level in dB and receive level in -dB
a product flaunting 500mW may be only the transmission signal level that is good and the receive sensitivity is terrible.
you can always help the adapter with a better antenna.
and while the antenna may be perfectly fine for transmission.. it may STILL not have enough dBi to help the receive sensitivity.
so your external antenna may be only doing half the job as an upgrade.
i'm guessing most of the antenna boosters with lots of high ratings are boosting the receive sensitivity.
but directional antennas are were the real fun is at, because you can take all that power and aim it like a projector aims at the projection screen.
(so yeah it makes sense to put a directional antenna on the wall of the house and point the antenna to the direct opposite side of the house, anything in front of the antenna will benefit while nothing on the other side can get a signal)
and if your antenna isnt sloppy.. you wont have to wait on other wifi 'things' in the area.
(packet collision.. rts/cts)
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windows xp home sp3
local wi-fi being offered by the daily journal (at&t)
hawking hwdn2 plugged into usb extension cord |
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