Need to buy a new Router - Wireless N or G?

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MyOpenRouter Team
MyOpenRouter Team's picture
Need to buy a new Router - Wireless N or G?

Some questions I have regarding the purchase of a new router (mine broke):

I have to admit that I haven't been up on the latest in wireless standards lately.  Is Wireless N a standard yet, or should I stick with G?  My existing wireless connections are all built in to laptops, so I don't really have any legacy Wireless G technology that would go to waste.

I'm not a tinkerer, so probably wouldn't need an open source router, or would I?  Are there other advantages that should lean me in tha t direction?

I have a MediaSmart Server, so I'll be using the network heavily to stream video and audio as well as backup my devices.  I would love to do this wirelessly if possible.

Any thoughts, inputs would be appreciated!

 

Peter Redmer
Peter Redmer's picture
This is really a great

This is really a great question. There's a lot of advantages to going with Wireless-N.

First off, you'll get up to double the speed (or more) of a Wireless-G connection, in theory. You may not need this speed for standard internet use, but it would be helpful when streaming HD video or playing demanding online games.

Second, you'll get expanded range from Wireless-N, again up to double or more of a Wireless-G product. NETGEAR's WNR2000 Wireless-N router claims up to 5X the range, and 15X the speed of a Wireless-G connection.

Also, if you get a dual-band Wireless-N router, you can take advantage of the 5 gHz band to help reduce interference from household devices.

The current devices are built on the 802.11n Draft 2.0. The draft is expected to be finalized in March 2009, so again in theory, upgrading to Wireless-N now will prepare you for the future. (See Wikipedia for more info on the specific updates to the status of the draft.)

In order to take advantage of it, though, you'll need to get Wireless-N adapters for your laptop/etc. Here are some examples.

And for your last question, should you buy an open source router? It depends on what you're looking to do. If you're not much of a tinkerer or a hacker, then an open source router may offer features that you don't need. I do like the DD-WRT firmware, but will openly admit that I don't really use the advanced features that it offers, at least not right now, since I mostly use it for simple internet access. So I think a standard router would work just fine for you, check out this one for starters.

It's a moot point, though, if you're looking for a Wireless-N router; I don't know of an open source router that supports Wireless-N. (The WGR614L is Wireless-G, for example.)

user294
user294's picture
My IMHO: if you have .n

My IMHO: if you have .n devices to use it with, .n router is a must. If you have no any .n devices, buying device with .n will not give you benefits but still good to have benefits in future.However .n support is not only a criteria to go.You may also want gigabit ports and\or fast CPU so router can really cope with routing and firewalling of all this traffic.I'm personally like USB jacks and will never buy device without USB since this extends device features set greatly.And so on.

DavidDinosaur
DavidDinosaur's picture
According to the DD-WRT

According to the DD-WRT website the WNDR3300 is supported by DD-WRT - not by this website, of course, since it is not WGR614L. See http://forum1.netgear.com/showpost.php?s=532cf94ecac15dcd5ed40841cbe4c57... or go to the "supported hardware" page through the tab on the main DDWRT page. I have no personal experience of this (yet).

Han
Han's picture
Maybe stupid question but

Maybe stupid question but will wireless N speed up/expand range of wireless G as well as all our laptops have wireless G inside but am not capable to reach max speed due too concrete/distance.

mercer
mercer's picture
Similar question.. I have a

Similar question.. I have a wireless G router and wireless G cards in my 10 computers at work. If I get a wireless N router will I also need the G cards??

Peter Redmer
Peter Redmer's picture
Good questions... to my

Good questions... to my knowledge, to reap the benefits of Wireless-N, you'll have to upgrade the cards in your laptop to Wireless-N type cards. Now, you should still be able to get a signal from your Wireless-N router on your laptops with the G cards, but you won't get the extra speed.

I'm thinking that you *might* still be able to benefit from the expanded range, though, even with the G cards - but I'm not 100% sure.

I'd love to hear some Wireless-N experts out there give us their thoughts... anybody?

Han
Han's picture
From what I understand so far

From what I understand so far, if you use Wireless N router and have wireless G cards installed in ur PC's/laptops you won't gain from either higher transfer rates nor wider wireless cover. Ie range wireless G will still be same as wireless G router. However am not an expert in this.

Goober
Goober's picture
A quick questio, will the N

A quick questio, will the N standard improve wireless streaming of video over the network as at the moment im gettiing jumpy playback from my ReadyNas shared folders over G on VLC player. Could the N standard improve things?

Peter Redmer
Peter Redmer's picture
I think it's possible that it

I think it's possible that it could improve streaming speed for you, but only if you have a wireless-N connection on the machine that you are streaming to.

So, if it's a laptop that you're using the VLC player to stream video to, you would need to get a Wireless-N card if it doesn't already have it built in. Otherwise, you won't get the benefits of Wireless-N.

Of course, it's not a guarantee that your speed will improve because of all the other variables, but there's a good chance it will help.

Goobe
Goobe's picture
Thanks for the reply and I

Thanks for the reply and I dont mean to sound picky but I would pefer to know for definate whether it would improve streaming on N standard to N standard devices before incurring any expense, If anyone knows for sure any advice would be appreciated.

Escalade1963
Escalade1963's picture
I guess I'm still a bit lost.

I guess I'm still a bit lost. How can I find out which router will work with my laptop. I have always used G, but N appears to be half the price. I dont really care about all the bells and whistles, just don't want wires running all over my floor. So, how can I check my computer and see which router will work. I have moved and bought a new laptop and also am wired right now. So its as if I was starting fresh. Thanks,Mark

gina
gina's picture
My router busted today. I

My router busted today. I have several devices (laptops, gaming systems, etc) using the wireless. However, only one of the 3 laptops used in my home have N capability (the laptops use the router more than anything - except when my son is home from college).

SO - I want to buy a new router with N capability, but the G devices must still be able to use them. Is N automatically backwards capable to G (understanding that the G devices will not gain the benefits). I just want to be certain that an N router will work with G devices.

And any suggestions on brands/models?

achilles
achilles's picture
Yes you can use G devices

Yes you can use G devices with N router .... but u will not be able to avail features specific to the N standard ..... :)
Rest of the things will remain OK ...

Murali
Murali's picture
Dear Peter, I have two

Dear Peter, I have two wireless routers. I want to extend the range by networking second wireless router to first wireless router in wirless mode. ( I want to connect second router to first router thru wireless and enxted the range).Can you help me out is it possible is yes how?

Dot
Dot's picture
Boy this stuff is confusing.

Boy this stuff is confusing. I have a XP desktop in my office of my house that does not have a cable connection. I don't want wires running all over the place. Can I have a wireless N connected to my cable where my TV is downstairs and able to access the internet via cable in my office upstairs? Do I have to do anything to my desktop for it to use the wireless internet?

chrome009
chrome009's picture
wireless n if yu plan to use

wireless n if yu plan to use a wireless connection , it's much better than G standard
you can find top N wireless routers here : wireless router reviews

loverouters
loverouters's picture
I agree with chrome

I agree with chrome
alos,802.11 is finalized today and will be published in October .
so G routers will not be released in the future .
also there are cheap N routers with decent performance ,even cheaper than g routers .
take a look at TP-LINK TL-WR941ND Wireless N Router.
you can get it for 49$ and it offers an excellent throughput speed (one of the fatest routers in mixed mode(N/G))
i'm surprised also with the router range , i can get a stable signal for 300 feet away .
that's really great deal

achilles
achilles's picture
thnx for d info ... I was

thnx for d info ... I was also in a dilemma abt whether to go for a N router or keep using G routers ....
This information has solved most of my queries ... :)

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DavidT
DavidT's picture
I have a neighbor who is a

I have a neighbor who is a childhood friend. If we buy a wireless N router for his house would I be able to receive a reliable signal? The distance from my house to his is about 40-50 yards. It would be great to split the cost of internet service each month. :)

WILDJON99
WILDJON99's picture
I am thinking about buying a

I am thinking about buying a laptop with a Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11 Wireless-N Mini Card but right now I own a wireless-G broadban router and wanted to know if I had to buy a new router or not.

harley
harley's picture
I have a lynksis router at my

I have a lynksis router at my apt. After a few weeks, I can't connect anymore. I changed the channel twice, it works for a while, then quits. I'm at a loss, what else can I do??

Lastlaugh
Lastlaugh's picture
First of all, don't believe

First of all, don't believe all the hype when it comes to N routers. People like to quote things they see or hear on the Internet as fact, even though they have never tested any of it themselves. The 802.11N standard is an improvement over g, but not all it's hyped up to be. It does come with a speed increase, but no where near the 300-600mbps that everyone likes to quote. Try doing a file transfer with an n router, then try that same file over hardwired 100mbps Ethernet and you will see what I mean. Also, the 802.11n is still a 2.4ghz signal, just the same as b and g standards. There is really no significant range increase over g, and definately not b. And anyone who tells you to use the 5ghz band for range has no idea of radio propagation theory, because it doesn't have near the range of the 2.4ghz band. So, if you want an honest, educated opinion, then here it is:
if you are just needing it for web surfing and email, stick with g and don't look back. If you plan on doing and big file transfers, consider N, but know it's NOT as fast as hardwired Cat5e.

dheeraj
dheeraj's picture
i have a wireless N card in

i have a wireless N card in my laptop will it work with a wireless G router?

Peter Redmer
Peter Redmer's picture
@dheeraj: Yes, it should work

@dheeraj: Yes, it should work, but you won't get N speeds...

Jessica..
Jessica..'s picture
Hi(: i got a laptop for

Hi(: i got a laptop for christmas. an Hp i saw it in my moms closet..the thing is she doesnt no ANYTHING about computers. i just dont anything about the wirless internet.so would i have to get a router in order to go on the internet? i have a brandnew dell desktop too.so would that have something on it?i want to be able to go al through out my house and still be on the internet.so im not sure what to doo..? can you help and explain that?

Priest
Priest's picture
I am looking to get a new

I am looking to get a new router. My entire home setup (save my Xbox 360) is G. I want to get N to start upgrading the rest of my PC's with N. Will my G cards in my PC's still pickup the N signal? Or is it not backwards compatible? Thanks in advance for the help.

Rick Ventix
Rick Ventix's picture
Hello- I am looking to get a

Hello- I am looking to get a network hard drive. If I upgrade to an N router from my G, how much faster with the transfer speed be?

Thanks,
Rick

nilz38
nilz38's picture
Hi what is the maximum range

Hi what is the maximum range you would expect from a "G" /"N" Router!!!

nilz38
nilz38's picture
ultimately if you are looking

ultimately if you are looking at having upto 600MBps on your wireless network, stick with what you have, unless you have issues with wireless range. Now this would be a great Ideas for a HTPC!!!

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