New Router Advice

[aShufflinZombie]

Hello,
I'm in the market for a new router but since I only buy a new router ever 5 years, I have no clue which models are better/worse.

This is my current router: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...F8&me=&seller=

I don't need any special features like parental controls, apps or whatnot. Just a N-router with decent speeds and connectivity. I'm currently getting 53.01 up and 10.63 down, which is extremely close to the 54mbps that G can provide. I would like Gigabit ports.

Suggestions please?

Thank you for your time.

[MontyAC]

This one is cheap with lots extras and can do dd-wrt:

http://www.amazon.com/BUFFALO-AirSta...ef=pd_sim_pc_2

[aShufflinZombie]

Originally Posted by MontyAC

This one is cheap with lots extras and can do dd-wrt:

http://www.amazon.com/BUFFALO-AirSta...ef=pd_sim_pc_2

It looks fantastic except for the range problems. Do you happen to own one?

[MontyAC]

No, but seems like a decent router for the price.

[aShufflinZombie]

Originally Posted by MontyAC

No, but seems like a decent router for the price.

Alright, well thanks for the advice!

[tracerbullet]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2294628

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2288873

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2291187

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2290757

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2293616

Just for starters.

[JackMDS]

Buying a WRT54G2(especialy for the price that is linked too) is like saying I need a car and end up buying a Tricycle for $10,000.

BTW, 802.11g while rated 54Mb/sec. realy provides around 18 - 20 Mb/sec.

[s44]

Originally Posted by JackMDS

Buying a WRT54G2(especialy for the price that is linked too) is like saying I need a car and end up buying a Tricycle for $10,000.

He got it five years ago.

The OP, as the (no doubt frustrated) guy with all the links was likely suggesting, is asking the same old question, to which the answer is always Asus N66U or refurb Linksys E4200v1 (*not* v2, which has worse range).

[aShufflinZombie]

Originally Posted by s44

He got it five years ago.

The OP, as the (no doubt frustrated) guy with all the links was likely suggesting, is asking the same old question, to which the answer is always Asus N66U or refurb Linksys E4200v1 (*not* v2, which has worse range).

I saw the other threads but I don't want to pay extra for features that I don't want. I just want a reliable N router and I would like gigabit ports. I honestly don't want (nor need) anything super fancy.

I do appreciate the responses.

[JackMDS]

At the moment that you ask for Giga ports the prices of the Wireless Router goes Up because Giga is more expensive.

The Buffalo that you rejected before is as low as it gets for new.

Or refurb. for $65 - http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Rou...VVviewprod.htm

[s44]

Originally Posted by JackMDS

The Buffalo that you rejected before is as low as it gets for new.

Not true: Amazon has the old Belkin N600 HD (8301) for $42. Can't vouch for the radio range, which is why I didn't mention it, but if you flash it to Tomato it's solid and gigabit.

[Smoove910]

Belkin = crap...
2.5 stars out of 5, I would steer clear.

Not sure what your price range is OP, I'm thinking the Asus RT-N66U is out of your range at $160-ish, maybe its little brother the Asus RT-N56U for around $100 is the ticket... or the Asus RT-N53U for $60-ish

N66 - http://www.amazon.com/RT-N66U-Dual-B...words=asus+n66

N56 - http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Dual-B...words=asus+n56

N53 - http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Wireless-.../dp/B005SAKW7S

[s44]

Originally Posted by Smoove910

2.5 stars out of 5, I would steer clear.

That just tells you what the stock firmware experience is. With the same Broadcom chip as the Netgear 3500L, the Asus N16, and other devices, it's rock-solid on Tomato.

[Spades45]

how much of a PITA is installing tomato, dd-wrt, openwrt etc?

i don't mean to derail the thread - i, too, am in the market for a new router.

[s44]

Originally Posted by Spades45

how much of a PITA is installing tomato, dd-wrt, openwrt etc?

i don't mean to derail the thread - i, too, am in the market for a new router.

Depends on the device, but basically it's as easy as installing a new CPU+HSF -- you just need to be able to follow directions. The most time-consuming part may be in finding the proper build (and, if you want Toastman's Tomato, navigating/downloading from his crappy hosting site).

[Ksyder]

Originally Posted by Spades45

how much of a PITA is installing tomato, dd-wrt, openwrt etc?

i don't mean to derail the thread - i, too, am in the market for a new router.

IIRC, its as easy as upgrading the firmware on any router- browse to the firmware file in your browser while logged into the router firmware, select the upgrade, upgrade and then do a hard reset on your router and then re-login and set up a new password, etc. The default username and password will be different when you flash a different firmware.