Best Router

weemax · 22-03-2008, 14:40

First of all, hello everyone.

Now, let me apologise. I am sure this has been done to the death, but i havent had much succes searching. I really dont know what im looking at/for...

I am getting 20mb broadband installed this Thursday. What i would like to know is, what router should i get? I understand Linksys is the way?

Im in an analogue area if that makes a difference?

Thanks all.

Pedro1 · 23-03-2008, 02:03

Hello and welcome to CF. To get the best performance from the 20MB i recon hard wire it to most routers but if you are going to go wireless then the WGR614 would be a good choice.

**Rob** · 23-03-2008, 13:56

Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS (S = speedbooster which will only really show benefits with Linksys Speedbooster cards in your PC) has been popular with the linux firmware version WRT54GL a good alternative if you want to run your own firmware versions. However all are based on the "g" standard, plenty fast enough for 20meg speeds but if you are futureproofing for Virgin Media's 50meg you should be looking at the "n" standards (not that any current wireless cards inbuilt to laptops support "n").

The Netgear WGR614 is also a "g" speed router.

Pedro1 · 23-03-2008, 14:44

It's the guy's first post and he aint sure what he needs to do dinny bombard him with stuff Virgin aint givin people.

saabmania2 · 23-03-2008, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS (S = speedbooster which will only really show benefits with Linksys Speedbooster cards in your PC) has been popular with the linux firmware version WRT54GL a good alternative if you want to run your own firmware versions. However all are based on the "g" standard, plenty fast enough for 20meg speeds but if you are futureproofing for Virgin Media's 50meg you should be looking at the "n" standards (not that any current wireless cards inbuilt to laptops support "n").

The Netgear WGR614 is also a "g" speed router.

That's not quite true rob, i have 2 laptops both have the wireless 'n' card built into them running on a dir655 wireless 'n' router. you can buy wireless n cards for laptops in both mini pci & mini pci express form.

dragon · 24-03-2008, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS (S = speedbooster which will only really show benefits with Linksys Speedbooster cards in your PC) has been popular with the linux firmware version WRT54GL a good alternative if you want to run your own firmware versions. However all are based on the "g" standard, plenty fast enough for 20meg speeds but if you are futureproofing for Virgin Media's 50meg you should be looking at the "n" standards (not that any current wireless cards inbuilt to laptops support "n").

The Netgear WGR614 is also a "g" speed router.

Actually in areas of heavy interference or if theres a lot of other lans around 54G is not suitable for 20Mbit broadband.

54G will only shift 22-28 Mbit/s in almost ideal condiitions... for instance theres several wlans around here and i'm lucky to shift more than 10Mbit/s though my wireless

oliver1948uk · 24-03-2008, 23:24

Just done wirelessly through my Linsys WRT54G router:

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:22:04 UTC

Test 1: 1024K took 527 ms = 1943.1 KB/sec, approx 16011 Kbps, 15.64 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 422 ms = 2426.5 KB/sec, approx 19994 Kbps, 19.53 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 426 ms = 2403.8 KB/sec, approx 19807 Kbps, 19.34 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 1052 ms = 1946.8 KB/sec, approx 16042 Kbps, 15.67 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 17964 Kbps, 17.55 Mbps

dragon · 24-03-2008, 23:39

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:39:05 GMT

Test 1: 1024K took 181 ms = 5657.5 KB/sec, approx 46618 Kbps, 45.53 Mbps
Test 2: 1024K took 170 ms = 6023.5 KB/sec, approx 49634 Kbps, 48.47 Mbps
Test 3: 1024K took 641 ms = 1597.5 KB/sec, approx 13163 Kbps, 12.85 Mbps
Test 4: 2048K took 1493 ms = 1371.7 KB/sec, approx 11303 Kbps, 11.04 Mbps

Overall Average Speed = approx 30180 Kbps, 29.47 Mbps

These results appear to be quite fast - this page could possibly be in your browser cache.

To repeat this test from the source server click here.

Can't get a decent result for some reason.

Richy99 · 25-03-2008, 15:56

i got rid of a matching 54gs and speedboost card as it couldnt get more than about 12-13meg over the wireless, i replaced it with a d-link 635 router and a belkin n series usb adapter and always hit 20meg now

**Stuart C** · 25-03-2008, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Linksys WRT54G or WRT54GS (S = speedbooster which will only really show benefits with Linksys Speedbooster cards in your PC) has been popular with the linux firmware version

True. For the past couple of years, I've been running a WRT54G with DD-WRT firmware. The router is actually 4 years old, but I only changed the firmware about 3 years ago. Funnily enough, on Windows, the wireless speed has maxed out at 5-10 MBps, whatever the card (even Linksys's own) and whereever the computer is (my server was connected wirlessly in the same room).

My little Mac, however, regularly obtains a full 18-20 meg wireless connection. As did the old G3 Macbook from work.

Still, got an Apple Time Capsule coming sometime over the next couple of days (I've been looking for a new NAS and would be perfectly happy to replace my crap Belkin Printserver, so this is the cheapest way to get all three), so will have to see how that goes..