Wireless Internet Connection Download Speed

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nexuslotus

nexuslotus

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Aug 7, 2010
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I used to have following devices and services for wireless internet for my desktop.

Service: Time Warner Cable 30 Mbps/ 3 Mbps (download/upload)
Wireless Adapter: ASUS PCE-N15 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz (max 300 Mbps)
Cable Modem: Motorola / ARRIS SB6141 DOCSIS 3.0 (max 343 Mbps)
Router: Netgear WNR3500L 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, (max 300 Mbps)


When I performed speedtest for my wilreless internet connection on my desktop via speedtest.net, I consistently received 33 Mbps / 3.2 Mbps, which is slightly higher than what the service offered.

I recently upgraded my service and devices as shown below:

Service: Time Warner Cable 100 Mbps / 10 Mbps
Wireless Adapter: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac built-in WiFi to ASUS Z97 Pro WiFi Motherboard
Cable Modem: same
Router: same

When I performed speedtest for my wireless internet connection with upgraded service and devices, I consistently received 50 Mbps / 4 Mbps. It appears that one of my devices are bottlenecking my download speed because my brother is getting full 100 Mbps download speed on his own desktop which uses manually connected ethernet cable instead of wireless.

*** PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS #1,2,3,4 ***

1) Is any of my device bottlenecking my download speed via wireless connection? I was thinking maybe the Router since it is the oldest device out of all the devices I listed here.

However, my router's supported max download speed is 343 Mbps, So, I was thinking 100 Mbps shouldn't be a problem.

2) Is my router really capable of 343 Mbps download speed? If not, what's more like a realistic max download speed supported by my router?

3) If I upgrade my wireless router that supports 802.11 ac and 5GHz, would I be able to reach near 100 Mbps download speed?

4) If I have to upgrade any of my device, which product would you recommend?

I live in a 2 stories townhouse. Cable modem is located in the 2nd floor right next to the stairs, while my desktop is located in the 1st floor right next to the same stairs. My neighbors rarely use wireless connections, so I hardly get interference from them. Also, there are no other devices that would hinder my wireless connection.

*** PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS #1,2,3,4 ***
 
Solution
g90814
It's most likely your wireless that is causing the bottleneck.

You don't have to go for full AC, but you do need dual band, meaning a router and a wireless adapter that can use both 2.4 and 5Ghz bands. The problem with 5Ghz band is it does not like obstacles (like walls) very well.

Your router is older, I have the same one and the max connection speed I could get was 150Mbps even right next to it. Is there any reason you need the full 100mbps speeds? 50mbps would be plenty for most purposes?

PS have you tried your old wireless adapter? Onboard WiFi tends to not be so great.

Another solution would be to try powerline adapters... this way you'd take the wireless out of the equation, and likely get similar connection speed that your...
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The wireless signal degrades as you get further away and what not.

Your brother is getting the full 100Mbps because because he is directly connected via an ethernet cable.

If you did the same you would get similar speeds.

The only resolution would be to get a second router and connect them via ethernet cables and use the 2nd router as a hotspot for increased coverage.
 
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g90814

g90814

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Apr 11, 2013
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It's most likely your wireless that is causing the bottleneck.

You don't have to go for full AC, but you do need dual band, meaning a router and a wireless adapter that can use both 2.4 and 5Ghz bands. The problem with 5Ghz band is it does not like obstacles (like walls) very well.

Your router is older, I have the same one and the max connection speed I could get was 150Mbps even right next to it. Is there any reason you need the full 100mbps speeds? 50mbps would be plenty for most purposes?

PS have you tried your old wireless adapter? Onboard WiFi tends to not be so great.

Another solution would be to try powerline adapters... this way you'd take the wireless out of the equation, and likely get similar connection speed that your brother has being directly wired. You can get a set of powerline adapters for $40 or less (example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704165&ignorebbr=1 )
 
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Solution
nexuslotus

nexuslotus

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Thanks for thoughtful reply. I guess I will buy new router and try 5GHz. All my devices support 5 GHz except router. If not, I will also try using old wireless adapter. There aren't many obstacles between my desktop and router so hopefully 5 GHz will improve my download speed significantly. If I don't get at least 80 Mbps, I am going to change my service back to 30 Mbps.
 
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