Powerline networking or wireless? *UPDATE* what wireless router is best?

[DVad3r]

UPDATE:

So I went wireless and my setup is sort of working. I have a wireless N router/modem downstairs in the basement which I hung up on the ceiling in the boiler room and stretched out towards the center of the house. Upstairs on the 2nd floor I have my main PC with a wireless N USB stick. I get 3/4 bars and decent speeeds. I am thinking if I get a more powerful router with actual antenas and better range, my problem will be solved.

Which router should I get? $ 200 budget, but I would also consider a good previous gen router that's proven to be bullet proof. Can be dual band wireless N, doesn't have to be the new AC crap or whatever.


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Hey guys,

I am moving my PC up from my basement to the 2nd floor of my house. I have a wireless N router in the basement and I planned to buy a wireless adapter today for my main PC. The guy at the store said I would have a better solution with the powerline network adapters, so I got a set of two, 500 mbps version.

I haven't unpacked it yet or tested it because this store has a shitty refund policy, but now I am thinking if this was a wise choice? I game online here and there and want the best response times.

What's your advice?

 

[nsafreak]

It depends on how your house is wired partially as well as the adapters but usually powerline will perform better for the most part than wireless. Which adapters did you purchase?

 

[DVad3r]

This one right here.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...0959&CatId=211

 

[nsafreak]

Haven't really heard of Ultra in the networking world, just a few of their surge suppressors and that's about it. It looks like a decent enough unit so it should be able to do the job just fine. The only other question is the wiring, about how old is your house and do you know what grade copper wiring was used?

 

[DVad3r]

House is around 30 years old. No clue what kind of wiring is used. I am starting to think I should just get a wireless adapter and hope for the best, with wireless my gaming shouldn't suffer much?

 

[nsafreak]

As long as there aren't too many people nearby that are on wireless it should be ok for the most part. Your download speeds may not be too great but as long as you don't have a ton of packet loss it should be fine otherwise for gaming. Your best bet may be to give wireless a try first and see if it works out ok for gaming and if it doesn't see how powerline works out. Powerline has come a long way from its introduction and generally works better than wifi but a comparison can't hurt.

 

[DVad3r]

I returned the powerline and got a wireless N 300 stick for 7 bucks, will see how it works first then going to try other options if need be.

 

[nsafreak]

Hopefully it works out for you since it's a cheaper option. If you picked up a dual band stick and your router is dual band as well I would recommend going with the 5GHz band as opposed to the 2.4GHz band if at all possible. Far less chance of there being interference on that band.

 

[guidedbyechoes]

Can you just run an ethernet cable up to the top floor instead? Or possbily move the router and modem to the main floor? I think that unless you have an amazing signal coming out of your router and really fast internet you will notice a pretty big drop. I notice it from room to room with mine.

 

[JackMDS]

Power-line performance is a "Craps-Shoot" and rarely works well.

Get a set of Powerline devices from a vendor with liberal return policy.

Unpack carefully and give it a try, may be you will be Lucky. Otherwise repack and return.

Fasted End-user Network is based on Cables (CAT5e/6).

Good Dual Band Wireless is the second choice.

If there is a need for large space/floors coverage, configure addtional Wireless Routers as Access Points.

Lay a cable as long as you can from the Modem/Router toward the intended reception area. Many times just laying a cable from the Modem's (or main Router) room to the Hallway (or up the stairs of a basement) and putting an Access Point, the Signal might improve dramatically and would provide working WIFI service through the House/Appartment).

Using Access Points or Wireless Cable/DSL Routers as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

 

[chamji]

Weird solution will work much better compared to wireless. As wireless is half duplex.
Just by any gigabit unmanaged switch and you are good to go.

 

[DVad3r]

update in OP

 

[DVad3r]

I'm thinking this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833127516

 

[gsaldivar]

I recently installed multiple ASUS AC1750 routers for a prosumer client and was very pleased with the build quality and performance. These replaced $200 D-Link routers that were less than 2 years old and barely able to keep up with the traffic - they went straight in the trash. ASUS's AC1900 will soon be released which will be my recommendation:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320174

 

[DVad3r]

What about these two routers? Both are for a decent price here at local stores. Which one would you guys pick?

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_1046_1047&item_id=063607

or

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=87621&vpn=DGL-5500&manufacture=D-Link&promoid=1377

 

[DVad3r]

Nevermind got this lol, waiting for it to come!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[alkemyst]

Nevermind got this lol, waiting for it to come!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

EXCELLENT CHOICE! I am a Cisco guy by trade and for a consumer device I was ready to upgrade from my v1 E4200 to this.

Instead I was given a free C819 Enterprise class ISR router. It's a $2000 device though and not something I'd recommend anyone for simple home use.

 

[DVad3r]

^ good! If it sucks I'm going to come and pay you a visit...and then...we can eat chicken wings.