Wireless Networking: Nine 802.11n Routers Rounded Up

By William Van Winkle
published

Benchmark Results: PerformanceTest TCP

Can our Zap numbers be trusted? Well, the two tests agree on ZyXEL’s fair but unexceptional turn-out. The Asus N13U doesn’t quite pop out the same way here, although it still leaves one wondering, “Why exactly am I paying 60% more forthe N16? Ah, right—the GbE ports. And the extra antenna. Why exactly do I need the extra antenna?” That remains a very good question.

D-Link and the N1 Vision still mystify, looking far worse at distance tests here than they did with Zap. Linksys and Netgear’s WNDR3700 once more shine brightest. We keep wanting to praise the location 1 performance of TRENDnet’s 671BR, but those dang distance tests keep spoiling the fun.

Now, just for giggles, we also recorded PerformanceTest’s CPU utilization scores, not really expecting to see anything other than a direct correlation between speed and CPU usage since more packets means more processing. Interestingly, this isn’t always the case. Look how Netgear’s WNDR2000v2 has the lowest speed but highest CPU utilization at location 2, topping the chart at a whopping 29 percent. We’re intrigued by the resource efficiency of ZyXEL, Linksys, and the Asus N16. This may be something to keep in mind if you’re running other resource-heavy tasks alongside your networking app(s).

William Van Winkle
82 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Which version of the Linksys WRT610N did you use? V1 or V2?
    Reply
  • deividast
    I want one of those Linksys :) I use now WRT54G and it's doing it's job, but it's a bit slow some times then transfering files from notebook to PC :)
    Reply
  • vant
    I'm surprised the 610N won. Without testing, the general consensus is that Linksys sucks except for their WRT54s.
    Reply
  • The testing is flawed in that there could be great variability in adapter performance, as admitted by the author. A true "router" comparison would use a common non-partial built-in Intel wifi link miniPCIe card to isolate router performance. Otherwise, too many variables are introduced. Besides, most ppl buy routers for routers, not in matching pairs since most ppl already own wifi laptops or adapters. Smallnetbuilders tested the Netgear WNDR3700 as one of the best performing routers on the market. Obviously this review unit is hampered by the Netgear adapter.
    Reply
  • vant
    kevinqThe testing is flawed in that there could be great variability in adapter performance, as admitted by the author. A true "router" comparison would use a common non-partial built-in Intel wifi link miniPCIe card to isolate router performance. Otherwise, too many variables are introduced. Besides, most ppl buy routers for routers, not in matching pairs since most ppl already own wifi laptops or adapters. Smallnetbuilders tested the Netgear WNDR3700 as one of the best performing routers on the market. Obviously this review unit is hampered by the Netgear adapter.Good point.
    Reply
  • The Greater Good
    I will never buy a Linksys again. No 64 bit driver support! What gives?
    Reply
  • cag404
    I just replaced my Linksys WRT600N with the Netgear WNDR3700. I have not used the WRT610 that is reviewed here, but I can say that the difference in routers is noticeable. The reason I replaced the router was that the WRT600N was dropping my port settings used to provide remote access to my home server, and I got tired of it. Wanted to try a different router so I went with the Netgear based on a favorable Maximum PC review. Glad I did. It has a snappier feel and I get a stronger signal throughout my two-floor house. The Netgear has not dropped my port settings for my home server yet. Also, I didn't like that fact that Linksys abandoned the WRT600N with no further firmware updates after about the first or second one.
    Reply
  • pato
    Was the Linksys the V1 or V2 variant?
    Which firmware was installed on it?
    I have one (V1), but am very unhappy about the signal range! I have it replaced with a WNDR3700 and have now a twice as strong signal as before!
    Reply
  • No D-Link DIR-855, DGL-4500, no Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station?
    Reply
  • Would have been nice to see the WAN-LAN throughput/connections as well for wired connections, but I guess all people but me use wireless for everything nowadays...
    Reply