Will a better router help out?

[Rob_63]

I have several computers running off of my Linksys WRT54-G wireless router. There are times when the kids are playing some games online, downloading streaming video (E baums world and the like) while I am playing my favorite first person shooter game (my rig is hardwired to the router) and I am trying to zero in for the kill and due to the routers activity my connection is stuttering and I am rendered useless in the game I am playing.


Here are the setups:
1 rig is about 25 ft. away with a "B" netgear pci card, one is about 20 ft. away with a Linksys B USB adaptor and the other is accross the room with a built in Asus G adaptor. (not a lot of activity from that one)

I also do a bit of downloading on my computer via torrents, would a better router and a dual core system help smooth my online gaming out? I usually shut off the torrents while gaming. (I am planning on going DC within the next week or two)

I was looking at the D-Link DGL-4300 link and if it was worth it to spend this amount maybe this cisco unless it would be overkill.

I would also look into getting appropriate PCI cards to match/compliment the router.



any thoughts?

 

[Atheus]

The linksys (unless it's a v5) is pretty much the best consumer level router out there... a cisco or something would be better of course, but I doubt that's your problem. You are likely just maxing out your internet connection. How are you connecting? What kind of speed?

 

[Rob_63]

It is a newer router, it has the cisco sytems emblem on it. I have cable and the online speed tests show it as 3600-3800 Kbps download and 4 - 500 upload.

 

[Atheus]

You want to find out if the router is the version 5. Read this. If it is v5 you might think about upgrading.

Setting up QOS (quality of service) on a good router will allow you prioritise gaming over other activities.

 

[Koing]

Just your net bandwidth getting killed via the kids.

Looks like you will need to pay for a faster service or get the kids to ease of d/l / streaming stuff when you play games. Maybe theyare uploading stuff? Uploading REALLY kills your browsing speed.

Koing

 

[Rob_63]

I checked and I have a version 2.0. No uploading going on, mainly my youngest boy plays Runescape online, the daughter is busy loading webpages looking for the ultimate Tatoo (eghad!, she still has 11 months till she is 18, I will NOT let her get one till then, lol)

How do you go about setting up this QOS? I used to have a netgear router and I remember some settings for prioritizng the wired line but I cannot find anything in the linksys that will allow me to do that. I do have the latest firmware installed.

Thanks!

 

[Rafael]

There isn't a QoS menu under THE APPLICATIONS AND GAMING tab on your router?

 

[Rob_63]

Yes there is, I have been missing it, thanks!

 

[Rafael]

OK!
I think setting the QoS with the MAC Address is better than setting throu the LAN ports.
You can also optmize for games your connection.

Have you looked for third party firmware for your router? They have good new features that improves the QoS and other things in your router.

 

[Rob_63]

Originally posted by: Rafael
Have you looked for third party firmware for your router? They have good new features that improves the QoS and other things in your router.

Never thought about it, any recommendations?

 

[Rafael]

Several:

www.dd-wrt.com - third party firmware (I use this one)
www.linksysinfo.org - for information about your router (including hardware review of your router and comparison with third party firmwares)
www.wrt54g.net - info about third party firmware

Any help you need just ask.

 

[Rob_63]

Thanks very much! :thumbsup: