[gobuckskb9]

I currently have a Linksys wireless B 2.4 ghz wireless router, it's old and my internet which is supposed to be fast, just sucks. The network involved is a pretty small house with 2 desktop computers 3 laptop computers and 2 xbox 360's. I need a router that can keep up, any suggestions?

[smax013]

gobuckskb9 said:

I currently have a Linksys wireless B 2.4 ghz wireless router, it's old and my internet which is supposed to be fast, just sucks. The network involved is a pretty small house with 2 desktop computers 3 laptop computers and 2 xbox 360's. I need a router that can keep up, any suggestions?

Be careful...the speed issues might have nothing to do with the fact that it is an 802.11b router.



What kind of broadband connection do you have? Cable modem? If cable, do you have 6 Mbps or faster? DSL? If DSL, is it 768 kbps or something faster?



Are any of the computers wired through the router?



Have you run any tests of the connection speed? If not, try this: www.speedtest.net/ Try tests from both the various wired and wirelesss computers. Try going to different test sites (the path to a test site can affect the speed...just like two routes of the same length to some place you drive to can take different lengths of time to drive due to speed limits and traffic congestion). See how the wired and wireless computers compare.



The reason that I ask is that 802.11b is capable of a maximum data rate of 11 Mbps and typical throughput is on the order of about 4.3 Mbps, but that value is dependent on distance from the router...the further you are from the router, the lower your throughput will be. If you are getting 4.3 Mbps or there abouts, then your router will most likely NOT be the weak link on DSL connection (unless you are paying for a rather speedy DSL connection) and would only be degrading a cable modem connection by a little bit (probably not enough to make typical downloads of web pages seems slow...for standard browsing, you would not likely notice to much of difference between 4 Mbps and 8 Mbps unless it has a LOT of large pictures).



The point is NOT to say not to get a new router...a new router might be in order in general...but to point out that it might not be your router that is really the weak link. You could be getting full capacity out of your Internet connection and it is just that your connection is slow. Cable modem connections speed will vary depending on how many people on your "node" have cable modem connections and are on using the connection at the same time as you. If enough people in your area have cable modem connections and are on, then an 8 Mbps connection can actually slow down to be slower than a dial-up connection in peak traffic times.

[gobuckskb9]

It's a cable modem and it's new, I can't find the speed or anything. I'll try to do those connection tests. The big problem I've been having is just getting connected. Wireless sometimes doesn't work from just a few feet away, and other times even a LAN connection is no go. I am trying to use a hub as well, I don't know what that would change. Nothing is wired straight from the modem, I have an ethernet going to the router first, and I'm using the router as a hub to the rest of the network.

[smax013]

gobuckskb9 said:

It's a cable modem and it's new, I can't find the speed or anything. I'll try to do those connection tests. The big problem I've been having is just getting connected. Wireless sometimes doesn't work from just a few feet away, and other times even a LAN connection is no go. I am trying to use a hub as well, I don't know what that would change. Nothing is wired straight from the modem, I have an ethernet going to the router first, and I'm using the router as a hub to the rest of the network.

A lot of cable modem connections are at least around 6 Mbps (in "ideal" conditions and times). To find out what speed service you have, you might need to call your cable provider and ask...your bill might say it. Doing a speed test should give some idea...but if you know what level of service you have, then you can see how that compares with the tests.



If you are having trouble actually connecting, then a new router might be a good idea. I won't recommend a specific router...but I will offer my general WiFi recommendation. Look around and find a router that you like (i.e. is in the right price range, has the features that you want, etc)...and then make sure you buy it from some place with a good return or exchange policy. When you start mixing and matching WiFi equipment from different manufacturers, you might find some that don't play nice with each other. in theory, while all 802.11g (for example) devices are supposed to be 100% compatible, the reality is that is NOT always the case. Thus, since you have WiFi built into some computers already, you will want to find a router that will work with those computers. Thus, get the one you like, bring it home, try it with your computers...if it works, keep it...if not, then take it back and try a different brand/model.

[Tech4me]

[~58352] . You can read the router review from PCW. If you afford ,, get the one that can handle 2.4GHZ and 5GHZ .so it won't get interfere with other wireless like your home phones.....etc.. www.pcworld.com/article/id,145224/article.html

[smax013]

Tech4me said:

[~58352] . You can read the router review from PCW. If you afford ,, get the one that can handle 2.4GHZ and 5GHZ .so it won't get interfere with other wireless like your home phones.....etc.. [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,145224/article.html]

That is IF you want an 802.11n router. Unless you are doing a lot of transfer of files between computers or you need the wireless range, 802.11g can be fine for most people...and thus, save some money. You will generally NOT gain anything in terms of your Internet connection by going to an 802.11n over an 802.11g router. I am not saing don't get an 802.11n router...just that if someone does not want to, then that review does not help much as it is only for 802.11n routers.