Author Topic: Routers - which to pick (Read 1598 times)

kitamesume · « **on:** January 01, 2013, 04:23:44 PM »

current router is starting go give in, its quite old already so i can't really complain.
the usual issues is that the router freezes (ironically it overheats) and/or sudden slow downs and lots of data corruption.

i'm not quite sure which to pick, but i have requirements to be met:
routers under $100 (i may be able to push it up to $125 if you can justify the price, i.e. get me sold)
should have 4lan ports (gigabit is a huge bonus but not required)
should support most common wifi Network Standard
decent good-speed&consistency range of no less than 10meters
able to handle heavy traffic ranging from torrents to games simultaneously from no less than 8clients (PC/laptop/phone/etc).
durable enough to last a few years or so (two other routers crapped out at less than 6months on me)

(click to show/hide)

at the moment i have my eyes on the Asus RT-N12 C1 at $49 from a store i know, the thing that got me interested is the built in easy-to-configure QoS that should help me configure network priorities to prioritize packets from games.

Slysoft · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2013, 04:42:34 PM »

dd-wrt.com

go there and find a compatable router and then flash that onto it. It's an open source firmware that strives for stability and performance and is usually way better than the stuff pre installed on the routers. It supports a ton of routers but not all so check their compatibility list.

that asus router is compatible and will probably run just fine, especially with the dd-wrt firmware (my router signal went from ~35% to 100% with this firmware)

kitamesume · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2013, 04:59:48 PM »

wait, are you referring to the one i currently have? TP-Link TL-MR3420 isn't on dd-wrt which is why im forced to replace it.

Slysoft · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:11:50 PM »

you said you were gonna buy some asus one which is on there.

Tatsujin · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:16:39 PM »

I've been using Linksys WRT54GL since 2008 and it's the best router I've purchased. The one before that was a single analog stick Linksys which broke down a month before I order 2008 and I had that one since 2004 (it was an older generation, too). I have phones, PS3, laptop and PSP connected through wireless and two wired connection to two computers.

It's durable and user friendly. Menu options are easy as well. Plug and play. <3

gits · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:25:31 PM »

+1 for Linksys WRT54GL using it aswell and it's really awesome

kitamesume · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:27:01 PM »

i can't find that model anywhere around stores i know of, i don't know why they don't import the good stuff that i'd usually want -_-

*y u no import nexus7 !?*

i'm pretty much restricted on that list i posted.

Pentium100 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:31:25 PM »

What is your internet connection bandwidth? Not all these cheap routers can do, say, 100mbps.
And yes, if you cannot afford or just do not want to use a Linux PC as a router, find a device that is supported by dd-wrt or OpenWrt.

Also, if your room temperature can be rather high, look for a device that has metal case or at least a lot of ventilation holes. 10-15W rated device with a small almost sealed plastic case can cook itself quite fast.

Tatsujin · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:32:42 PM »

Quote from: kitamesume on January 01, 2013, 05:27:01 PM

i can't find that model anywhere around stores i know of, i don't know why they don't import the good stuff that i'd usually want -_-

*y u no import nexus7 !?*

i'm pretty much restricted on that list i posted.

Try your amazon?

kitamesume · « **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:36:21 PM »

its a budget 2mbps line, do all of the routers have identical performance and no admirable qualities? i don't think they use the same components inside.

Quote from: Pentium100 on January 01, 2013, 05:31:25 PM

Also, if your room temperature can be rather high, look for a device that has metal case or at least a lot of ventilation holes. 10-15W rated device with a small almost sealed plastic case can cook itself quite fast.

i think this is what's killing my routers, the room is usually around 30-38c and the router is made of plastic plus vents are stupid small.

Quote from: Tatsujin on January 01, 2013, 05:32:42 PM

Try your amazon?

i've had my fill with the customs, thanks.

Tatsujin · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:47:01 PM »

Quote from: kitamesume on January 01, 2013, 05:36:21 PM

i think this is what's killing my routers, the room is usually around 30-38c and the router is made of plastic plus vents are stupid small.

I would not step inside your room, at all. I hate anything above 72F in the summer and below 72F in the winter.

kitamesume · « **Reply #11 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:53:33 PM »

its not my room, its the living room =O
this country is a tropical country so it's more common to have it hot =D
although i wonder how people get to endure it on Egypt with their 35-45c temperature climates.

Slysoft · « **Reply #12 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:59:46 PM »

Wireless G is two standards old now. Time to move on in my book.

kitamesume · « **Reply #13 on:** January 01, 2013, 06:05:08 PM »

^wireless N is the minimum now a days, and wireless AC seems to be the new thing.

----

so no serious suggestions?

Tiffanys · « **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2013, 06:08:07 PM »

Quote from: Slysoft on January 01, 2013, 04:42:34 PM

dd-wrt.com

go there and find a compatable router and then flash that onto it. It's an open source firmware that strives for stability and performance and is usually way better than the stuff pre installed on the routers. It supports a ton of routers but not all so check their compatibility list.

that asus router is compatible and will probably run just fine, especially with the dd-wrt firmware (my router signal went from ~35% to 100% with this firmware)

I second this. My Linksys WRT-54G (the really good model before they changed it) was amazing with DD-WRT.

Google though, cause I know they changed the model and one of them sucks, so make sure you don't get something bad.

kitamesume · « **Reply #15 on:** January 01, 2013, 06:13:16 PM »

ok... i'll take that as a no.

asus RT-N12 C1 it is.

Slysoft · « **Reply #16 on:** January 01, 2013, 06:13:33 PM »

Quote from: kitamesume on January 01, 2013, 06:05:08 PM

^wireless N is the minimum now a days, and wireless AC seems to be the new thing.

----

so no serious suggestions?

i told you. get whatever router you want. Putting DD-WRT on it will turn an average router into a beast (unless it is built poorly, so just look up some reviews online)

kitamesume · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2013, 06:32:27 PM »

Quote from: Slysoft on January 01, 2013, 06:13:33 PM

i told you. get whatever router you want. Putting DD-WRT on it will turn an average router into a beast (unless it is built poorly, so just look up some reviews online)

this is what i'm trying to find out, which is build poorly of which, usually the cheap ones aren't build as the greatest, so i'm trying to find someone with knowledge in it to hand-pick some of the good ones off the bad ones.

about half of them doesn't have any reviews.

Slysoft · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2013, 06:36:08 PM »

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-RT-N12-Wireless-N-Advance-Router/dp/B002SQ9ZX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1357068669&sr=1-1&keywords=asus+Rt-n12+c1

that took like 10 seconds

kitamesume · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2013, 06:39:02 PM »

o.o you call amazon's review as real review... they're good feedback though.

edit: how to i filter off the shitty feedbacks off, also ~~i don't see anything about~~ theres hardly any dd-wrt feedbacks on them, well i just got to the 2nd page so far.
demn "i put dd-wrt in it and it works great" review too good *smirk*.

edit2: i just noticed that these routers have a varying ram size and different chipsets, i wonder whats the difference between them.
edit3: actually after looking through the list on dd-wrt only asus and netgear's WNR 2000 has firmwares, so... yeah asus it is.