Need help with selecting a new router!

N

Nick96

New Member
I am in need of a new router. I recently purchased a Cisco Linksys E2500 Advanced Dual-Band Router to replace my old Cisco WRT120N because of some problems I was having with it. It didn't seem to ever put out the 6mbps speed to the devices it was connected to. Plus, it would just stop working about once a week and require a reset. I bought the new E2500 in hopes of fixing these problems, but I am still experiencing some of the same and a few new ones. First of all, just as all of the reviews say, it doesn't have very good range. My computer is only 30' or so from the router, but sometimes the quality of the connection suffers even though it is a fairly short distance. It is much more apparent in my phone which rarely has a perfect connection unless I am right next to the router. The second problem I am having is very similar to the issue I was having with the 120N. Everyday now I am having to power down and power up the router because it is not putting out the 6mbps speed. When I test the speed of the router normally it will be putting out around 1.5-3.5mbps when it should be putting out 6mbps as I've mentioned already. The problem is solved when I reboot the router, but I really don't like have to go through that process everyday just to get it to function properly.

With that out of the way, lets get down to what I need. I need the new router to be under $100 dollars, but will spend a little more if it is really necessary. I need it to be able to put out 6mbps (or close to it) to two laptops, two Android phones and a Xbox 360 that I rarely use. All recommendations are welcome!

Oh ya, and I'm new to the forum, so hello everyone!
 
A few questions for you to answer...

1. You say you are 30 feet from the router. Is it a clear view 30 feet or do you have to go through doors and around corners, through walls? All this drastically reduces wireless signal especially when the unit doesn't have external anntenna's.

2. What speed package are you getting from your internet provider? Wireless will always be slower then a wired connection. You might only get up to 75 percent of your speed when using wireless.

3. Do you need to have wireless N?

The only router that I usually recommend is this one, however it is only wireless G not N. Most users don't even need N.

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

I've gone through floors and halfway through a huge house and still get good signal with this model.
 
johnb35 said:
A few questions for you to answer...

1. You say you are 30 feet from the router. Is it a clear view 30 feet or do you have to go through doors and around corners, through walls? All this drastically reduces wireless signal especially when the unit doesn't have external anntenna's.

2. What speed package are you getting from your internet provider? Wireless will always be slower then a wired connection. You might only get up to 75 percent of your speed when using wireless.

3. Do you need to have wireless N?

The only router that I usually recommend is this one, however it is only wireless G not N. Most users don't even need N.

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

I've gone through floors and halfway through a huge house and still get good signal with this model.
Click to expand...

1. It is a straight shot, but it does have to travel through two doors and there are a few corners of walls in the way.

2. I'm going to assume by speed package you mean just the Mbps and that is 6mbps.

3. I'm not sure if I NEED it, but from what I've read it is much better than wireless G especially if you stream a lot of movies or play games and also with just range and signal quality overall, so that is why I have always stuck with N. I guess unless you guys think it is unnecessary I would like to stick with wireless N.
 
I really don't think you need wireless N but if you insist on having it I would probably recommend one of these 2 routers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...27-215^33-127-215-TS,33-320-038^33-320-038-TS

You only have 6mb internet speed. I would definately recommend N router if your speed package was more than say 25-30mb.

About the walmart router you posted. It means you would have to use it as your dsl modem and as a router and get rid of your exisitng modem.
 
johnb35 said:
I really don't think you need wireless N but if you insist on having it I would probably recommend one of these 2 routers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...27-215^33-127-215-TS,33-320-038^33-320-038-TS

You only have 6mb internet speed. I would definately recommend N router if your speed package was more than say 25-30mb.

About the walmart router you posted. It means you would have to use it as your dsl modem and as a router and get rid of your exisitng modem.
Click to expand...

Wow! I didn't realize that to really utilize wireless N you would need to have that much faster of a internet connection. Well, with that in mind, I suppose I could take back my Cisco E2500 and try the first router you posted. But let me ask you this - is the Linksys WRT54GL you posted any better than the Cisco WRT120N I had before I got my E2500? I mean, if N is really suppose to be better regardless of whether or not my internet connect is faster, what would be the point of getting the WRT54GL?

Edit: It seems the Cisco WRT120N gets some pretty bad reviews while your WRT54 gets fairly good reviews. Seems the Cisco WRT120N was kind of a cheep knock off wireless N router, so I guess that answers my question...
 
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The only difference between wireless G and N is supposed to be speed and distance it travels. Basically if you aren't transferring files between pc's then N isn't needed. I feel as long as you have a good router that has external anntenna's that has good range then you don't need an N router. The wrt54gl has great range, I've never been disappointed in it. And I buy it for my clients when they need a router. The wrt54gl is the most bought router on newegg. You can even flash the router to ddwrt firmware. It gives the router many more options to customize and setup. You can even turn your router into a repeater if need be in ddwrt.

On side note... Do you keep your modem and router in a well ventilated area like on top of a desk or something? They do get kind of warm and need the ventilation to keep cool.
 
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