Choosing AC or N Router for Big House

FrPSh

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Nov 4, 2009
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I am currently using a D-Link DIR-655 router, which, after being dropped many times, isn't performing like it should.

I'd like to upgrade, but am not sure if I should go ahead and jump on the AC routers on the market.

There are 7 people in my house, and at times we all use the network at the same time.
Speed is not usually an issue with our current router, but every once in a while, it drops the signal for everyone. Its range is also not the best, and I would like the network to reach another building 50 ft away from the main house.

I like what I've heard about the ASUS RT-AC66U, but don't like the $190 price tag. Are the signal strength improvements worth the upgrade?
I want first and foremost to find something stable, then future-proof, then fast.
 
It will likely makes things worse or no better. 802.11ac only runs on 5g which is more easily blocked by the walls in the house than 2.4g. Even if you wanted to use 802.11ac you would likely have to replace every adapter in all your equipment since they likely only run 802.11n on 2.4. So if you just replace the router you will run similar to what you do now since you running 802.11n on 2.4. If you replace everything and move to 5g 802.11ac maybe its better and maybe its not it depends on your house construction.

The only difference is 802.11ac runs a bit faster but it does not cover any more distance. It just puts more data in the same bandwidth and can use more channels...BUT it can not transmit at higher power on those channels. The amount of power is the main thing that determine how far the signal can go and that is limited by government regulation no matter if you are using 802.11ac or a baby monitor