Wireless (Gaming) Router (<50USD)

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BrainY

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Nov 28, 2012
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Hello geeks and freaks,

I've bought a Netgear WNDR3400 about 3 years ago and I'm really not liking this router one bit for all those three years, but I didn't want to invest in another router. It's been crapping out on me non-stop with WiFi. I'm located in a college apartment and I know there is a lot of wireless routers here... but the range on that thing is going from really bad to worse. I'm like 20 yards away from it and I can't even connect to it.

Anyway, I was hoping if somebody could help me out on this one! I don't need a really fancy fast Wi-Fi router or 1gb lan ports... I just need a regular router that has good wi-fi range since only phones, laptops, and tablets are connected to it. Any suggestions? I know there is a lot of routers out there, so I don't know which one to choose from!
 
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Your problems are not likely to be correct by a different router unless the one you have happens to be defective. Your current router speed is likely faster than you internet connection already. Also to use many of the features on more advanced routers you also need to upgrade the nics cards. Even then you can't actually use many of the more advanced options like 802.11ac in high areas of wireless competition because it attempt to use more radio bandwidth which you already have a shortage of.

The most common issue causing your problem is interference and if you live in college housing it is one of the most dense wireless you can find. If you could find a router that makes all your neighbors routers self destruct then it would be a...
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Tormidal

Tormidal

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For less than $50USD, you aren't going to be getting anything fantastic, but I would recommend this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704038
 
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Tormidal

Tormidal

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With any router under fifty bucks, the only difference will be the location of the antennae(external vs embedded), the speed of the N signal WiFi(typically 300-450mb/s in this price range,), and the name on the box.(And the colors. :) )

Compared to what you can get for an extra $40-$50, these routers are not great. But in the price range, the TP-Link is one of the best. You can throw on any third party firmware, has some gigabit ports, it has a speed boost where you can get speeds of 450mbs(it normally gets 300), and it comes with QualityOfServer and WiFiProtectedSetup.

For its range of features, and the brand reputation behind it, this router is just fantastic for its price.
 
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BrainY

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What would the $100 range offer more than the one you suggested for example?

The only features I really need... a working router with 4 or more LAN slots and wifi with a good range for phones, tablets, and laptops. Also, I have a 300mbps dual band router now.. and it blows ass! I guess the third party firmware let's you limit speeds and such?
 
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Tormidal

Tormidal

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The main thing about third party firmwares is better control over the network through the router, better optimization for various services(Port forwarding, VPN, DNCP, DNS, etc. etc. etc.)

If a dual-band 300mb/s router isn't doing well, theres something on your network eating up bandwidth, or the router is poor quality.

For the $100 range, you could pick up a Linksys 1200+, which will give speeds up to 1.2 Gb/s, as well as dual band and excellent range. With routers in general, as you go up in price; speeds improve, range improves, quality improves, and stability improved. I used to use the piece of crap that AT&T gave me, and upgraded to a Linksys WRT1900, covers my entire 9000 SqFt house, and the porch with full bars.
 
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BrainY

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Well the network is only 450kb/s download and 60kb/s upload. But the WiFi doesn't even reach 20 yards away at some times. I don't need 1.2Gb/s though... just need ranged WiFi :p

Sorry that I'm so indecisive.
 
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bill001g

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Your problems are not likely to be correct by a different router unless the one you have happens to be defective. Your current router speed is likely faster than you internet connection already. Also to use many of the features on more advanced routers you also need to upgrade the nics cards. Even then you can't actually use many of the more advanced options like 802.11ac in high areas of wireless competition because it attempt to use more radio bandwidth which you already have a shortage of.

The most common issue causing your problem is interference and if you live in college housing it is one of the most dense wireless you can find. If you could find a router that makes all your neighbors routers self destruct then it would be a good buy :)

You really can only try to find unused radio channels. Most likely using only 5g and running only 20mhz channels will give you the best chance to get some radio bandwidth to yourself. The new routers are huge hogs. Most 2.4g routers are attempting use 2/3 of all the bandwidth and 802.11ac routers are trying to use almost 1/2 of the 5g. When the new standard for 802.11ac is finalized one person will be able to use almost all of the 5g bandwidth for themselves. With everyone setting their stuff to maximum nobody gets anything.
 
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Tormidal

Tormidal

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Don't worry about it.
The network may only be that, but if you have multiple devices, it has to split the router's bandwidth amongst them.(200mb/s to one device, 100 to another, etc. etc.)

The higher the bandwidth the router has, will allow your devices to do what you're telling them to do. Being in a college apartment, those WiFi signals are all conflicting with each other, so everyones signal is going to be crap because of the interference. The stronger the router you get, the more it'll be able to resist that interference.
 
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