Which router for me?

[Triglet]

Happy new year all!

I'll keep it simple -- I primarily game online with my rig. Some file sharing here and there, maybe 5-10 hours a week. Sometimes my other half web browses while I'm gaming, and I can tell a difference as my ping starts jumping around and I start stuttering -- that just ain't gonna work... I think my router's the weak link perhaps? I've got an old Linksys BEFW11S4 -- wireless B router I think.

After 30 mins or reading, I've narrowed it down to the above -- is the 655 worth the $30 ($55 w/rebate) premium from the egg?

 

[JackMDS]

The 4300 is an 802.11g. If you need a Giga switch, then buying it might save additional few $$.

Otherwise, this Router is better, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...81218&Tpk=zyxell%2b550

The 655 is a draft-N device (add the price of a draft-N card) and it is an expensive solution. If you have an immediate special need for higher bandwidth through Wireless and do not care that next year your "mega" investment might not be compatible with the 802.11n standard then it is the right choice for you.

 

[Triglet]

Nice -- thanks for the reply!

 

[Madwand1]

That's a really good price (AR) for the DGL-4300. The DGL-4300's weakness is the standard-g wireless. Wireless always sucks, but it potentially sucks less with other implementations including the DIR-655. Other than that, the DGL-4300 is still a good router.

 

[tenax]

dir 655 has been n standard compliane since about mid 2007. there's no reason it shouldn't be compatible with and n standard down the road. why they are still referring to it as draft N, i don't know. maybe it's a catchup required by retailers in description, dlink themselves or because it doesn't ship with the n standard firmware, but it's available and they are easy to update.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: tenax
dir 655 has been n standard compliane since about mid 2007. t.

Unfortunately the above is not correct. The 655 (or any other presumably N) might be compliant with draft-N.

There is No N standard so it cannot be compliant with a None Existing Standard,

 

[tenax]

you're correct..my bad..i misread the firmware info:

Firmware 1.04 ¤ Passes 802.1n Draft 2.0 WiFi certification.
¤ Enhanced wireless performance. 7/2/2007
Firmware 1.03 ¤ Passes "Connect with Centrino" Logo Certification program.
¤ Upgrade Wireless driver to 802.11n Draft 2.0 specification.

in any case, it works fine having run 2 of these for over a year now without a problem aside from an issue with motorola surfboard extreme speed modems which was fixed with another firmware version available from dlink. i'm using the installed network device on my daughters hp laptop, dlink draft n cards on my wife and son's computers.

 

[Triglet]

Yeah, I don't have a need for more network speed per se -- I don't transfer files between computers so a Giga switch is not needed. G will be fine, I've got a couple of laptops that use the wireless and then only for web surfing.

Was mainly looking for something with the QoS feature, and it looks like the Zyxel will do that. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Tarrant64]

4300

 

[bluestrobe]

What are the known issues for the 4300? I am thinking about dropping my DFL-200 and going with the 4300.

 

[Tarrant64]

4300 as far as I know has no downfalls. I have no problems with the wireless performance either. For the package you get I don't expect a top notch wireless router(i mean, come on, it's no wireless N), but it gives the best you can get for the price and the collection of sweet features.

I think that sums it up.

 

[bluestrobe]

I don't plan on buying any "N" gear until it's finalized.