How good is the Netgear AC1450 Router? (SOLVED!)

synario

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;)I just bought the Netgear AC1450 (150 dollars) today but haven't gotten around too setting it up yet. (Or ruining the packaging..)

I am very unfamiliar with networking, etc but I do know that a router/modem are necessary. Right now my house has one desktop, a laptop, and several iphones, tablets, etc. In the last month the internet has consistently gotten worse.

Significantly, it seems the further away you are the more likely the internet is too disconnect (Just for that devise though, not for everybody) In addition the more people using the internet at the same time the worse it gets. However, my room is the closest to the router (my desktop uses wireless), and even I've been getting 2-3 disconnections a day now. I don't need a fast internet, just one that won't constantly crash like it does.

I have a dlink router/SURFboard motorolla modem, the modem was supplied to use by Cox Cable. I was not certain whether to get a new modem AND a new router, or just one, so I got a router first to see if that will fix the problem.

Will changing the router out to a NETgear AC1450 fix the problem? The guy at the store said that as a router dies, the internet will randomly sputter out, disconnect, something along those lines, which exactly described what was happening to me. (At least according to what my brother said).

I'm hoping that the modem isn't actually the problem...=/ Before I unpackage this router, will it fix the issue?
 
Solution
It sounds like the router if it was previously working well, but it could also be interference from a nearby network on the same channel. You can check that with a free app called INSSIDER. If there are interfering networks change your channel. If not, buy a new N router.

RealBeast

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If you can, return that router. It is a sort of dumbed down AC1750 where the AC channel speed is restricted to a lower value. SEE HERE.

First AC will not help you if you don't have AC adapters on your devices. Second, if you go AC buy the real thing.

If your current router is dying, buy a pair of inexpensive N300 routers (like the D-Link DIR-655 currently $55 at Newegg or a TP-Link). Then set up one as your primary router and configure the other as a wireless AP at the other end of the house. You can connect it to the primary router with Ethernet cable, of if that is not possible a pair of 500Mbps powerline adapters to get the signal to the AP.
 

synario

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Not going to lie, that sounds quite complicated..

As far as I know, under wireless properties, my internet should only be getting 54 Mbps anyways, so I wouldn't even come close to being able to use all of that speed (975 Mbps)? Much less the 1300 Mbps of the 'real thing'.

In addition, can you confirm from what I've said that it's likely this IS actually the router that's the problem?
 

RealBeast

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Moderator
It sounds like the router if it was previously working well, but it could also be interference from a nearby network on the same channel. You can check that with a free app called INSSIDER. If there are interfering networks change your channel. If not, buy a new N router.
 
Solution

synario

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Well, despite what I admit is a overpriced router, has pleasantly worked out quite well for me.

I went to speedtest.net. My previous result was 13 Mb/s download speed. My new DL speed is 26 Mb/s with the new router.

I also consistently have a full 5 internet bars while the average used to be 4/5 all the time. My brother has been on for several hours in his room and hasn't disconnected at all.

In addition, my internet speed under properties used to be 54 Mbps, now it's 65 Mbps.

EDIT: I also tried to download a big demo off of steam, and my old download speed would average around 1.0-1.2 Mb/s. Now it averages around 2.4 Mb/s.

I can also run youtube videos in full 1080p without any pauses or buffering or loading!!! +)

EDIT: Only thing that I note with some concern is there is a 'unidentified network'. It says however in my network and sharing center that it is using the same wireless connection as my 'home network'. I'm hesitant to disable the 'unidentified' network as you know what they say, if it's not broke don't fix it.