When does a faster router CPU make a difference?

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hertswenip

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Dec 2, 2011
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I have read many posts and articles over the net about overclocking router CPU's, faster router CPU's, more RAM etc. but none of them specifically state what is actually being made faster re: user experience- my question is, in what facet of operations does having a faster CPU/more RAM actually make a difference in user experience?

For example, If someone only uses a router for home internet access with two laptops, and a desk top - will he notice any discernable improvement using one of the new dual core routers, vs an old WRT54G ?
 
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The router CPU is used mostly for encryption and NAT and of course any firewall filters you have setup.

So the more wireless data you have and the more total session you have the more CPU you must have. In most cases the internet connection size will limit you well before cpu in the router will make a difference.

What seems to really stress a router would be multiple VPN sessions where the router is doing the VPN rather than a PC based solution. Since you have encryption,nat and likely packet fragmentation and reassembly this type of thing keeps a router busy. Again unless you had some huge internet connection you will likely run out of bandwidth before the router hits the limits.
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bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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The router CPU is used mostly for encryption and NAT and of course any firewall filters you have setup.

So the more wireless data you have and the more total session you have the more CPU you must have. In most cases the internet connection size will limit you well before cpu in the router will make a difference.

What seems to really stress a router would be multiple VPN sessions where the router is doing the VPN rather than a PC based solution. Since you have encryption,nat and likely packet fragmentation and reassembly this type of thing keeps a router busy. Again unless you had some huge internet connection you will likely run out of bandwidth before the router hits the limits.
 
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wacabletech

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Dec 15, 2012
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Not likely. For the most part even the cheapest old router can handle two laptops as far as the CPU goes unless one of those laptops is being used to packet flood another location maybe. Low use routers are not too CPU intensive. However the effective of overrunning a routers CPU is going to be increased latency in processing of packets and this usage of the network inter or intra. Boosting that CPU power could reduce the latency if you don't cause excessive heat to be added to the unit and cause errors in CPU processing Ram storage form the extra heat.

In short there is no real reason to upgrade the CPU of residential routers, they are pretty cheap to replace to be honest they were designed as disposable parts and should be treated as such, unless your just thoroughly bored or looking for a science project for school.
 
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jsmithepa

jsmithepa

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Jun 14, 2014
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Bottom line: nobody overclocks a router's CPU, you have to stop, paying attention those wackos stuff from the Internet, like trying to service a HD by opening it and swear it fixed the problem, fine do it on your own, won't find a lot of people at forums to go along on the journey with you.
 
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