WRT54G v5 / DD-WRT?

[Yankee fan]

Hello! I have a Linksys WRT54G v5 router that is from 5 to 7 yrs old. Working great, but I just got upgraded by COMCAST to BLAST which gives me 55Mbps + on several different speed test sites. I am getting "wireless" speed of 20 Mbps with the Linksys, so I felt I was missing out on some speed, so I was looking for a new router.
Then I came across your forum and the threads on DD-WRT.

I am not really technical --- maybe average or a little better, but I believe I could do the DD-WRT upgrade. Do you think it would give me more wireless speed with this router? It is old, but I love the router.

My modem is an Arris TM822G (brand new).

Any advice or thoughts on a new router would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[glc]

I would not put DD-WRT on a v5. It's the first rev that used VXWorks instead of Linux, and actually I'm quite surprised it's still working at all! It was a BAD router.

I would buy a new "N" router - Asus is the new Linksys, so to speak. I would also upgrade your wireless adapters to "N" if they aren't already so.

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Networking, Wireless Networking, Wireless Routers, ASUS

[Yankee fan]

Thank you for answering so quickly. I have 2 unrelated questions:

1) Of those ASUS routers, which would you recommend for:a) 2000 sq ft house b) stream netflix and other on line movies, 1 laptop, some I phones...

2) I just tested my current WRT54G with my desktop and a laptop. Both connected directly to router (no wireless). PING 10, Download 55 Mbps, Updoad 10 MBPS. Both very close to each other.

Wireless connection with laptop: PING 26 Download 20 - 21 Mbps Upload 10 Mbps

Laptop Connected to 50 ft ethernet cable (which is connected to my Blu Ray in another room for the streaming movies: Ping 26 Download 20 Mbps Upload 10. These are the same readings as if it were wireless connection in the same room as BluRay. Is in normal to loose so much speed even though connected by ethernet cable, because it is 50 feet long?

Would a new "N" router take care of this difference?

[Yankee fan]

Also --- what is your feeling on Refurbished routers from Newegg?

[glc]

50 feet shouldn't slow anything down - CAT5 is good to over 300 feet. Your cable may not be made properly, proper twisting and termination is somewhat critical. You can also get interference from anything electrical it may be running near.

A "N" router will only give you 55 mbps download wireless with "N" adapters. "G" tops out at a theoretical 54, and I've never seen over 35 even when the adapter is 3 feet away from the router.

I won't touch refurbs.

I would probably get a RT-N16. It has Gigabit ports and N-300. Even basic N adapters will get up to 150 theoretical. Wired devices with Gigabit ports will benefit.

[Yankee fan]

Wow! You come through again for me.

Thanks so much for the help and advice.

[Yankee fan]

Hello --- me again...Sorry, some more questions on routers...
1. I know you recommended the ASUS. They are pretty pricey compared to others. Also, the one you mentioned (N16) is not dual band. Any reason for not recommending the dual band? Does it not work well?
2. What about Netgear WNDR 3800 or WNDR 4000 or Linksys EA 3500 or EA 4000? Have they just gone down hill? The old Linksys was so good.
3. You said you wouldn't touch a refurb. What about if it was from Newegg or the manufacturer? Still bad news?

Thanks for the extra consideration. Just want to explore all possibilities...

[glc]

1. What do you need dual band for? Do you have devices with "A" band adapters? If you want a real top end router, get a RT-N66U. You get what you pay for.

2. Stay away from both Netgear and Linksys these days. Linksys has gone WAY downhill since the Cisco buyout - and now they are owned by Belkin.

3. Too much potential for being bad news.

[Yankee fan]

Thanks. I hear you. Those refurb prices are so tempting, but I guess they are someone else's problem recycled.

As far as that dual band, what about streaming movies like NetFlix? Way too much for a regular home network?

Just don't want to be sorry in a year or two...

[glc]

A dual band won't help you if you don't have "A" band (5.0 Ghz) adapters! "B", "G", and "N" are all 2.4 Ghz. "A" band is shorter range than either "G" or "N".

[Yankee fan]

I guess if I don't know if I have any A band adapters, that probably means I don't have any. Can you give me an example of something that would be on an A band and need that kind of adapter? Just so I can learn something.

What type of wireless speed would I get from say the ASUS N16 if my "connected speed" on several speed tests is @ 55 Mbps?

On my old Linksus, I am getting between 15 and 20 Mbps wireless. Would the ASUS get me up in the 30 to 40 range wireless? Or should I be happy with what I have?

Thanks

[glc]

If you have a "N" adapter, you could possibly see 55. I doubt "G" adapters would be any faster than they are now.

"A" is 802.11a. Dual band routers are 802.11a/b/g/n. 802.11a is max 54 mbps, same as 802.11g.

[Yankee fan]

Thanks for the info. I learned something, as always.

[SpywareDr]

Wikipedia: IEEE 802.11

802.11a ... 5 GHz ... maximum ... 54 Mbit/s ... yields ... throughput in the mid-20 Mbit/s 802.11b ... 2.4 GHz ... maximum ... 11 Mbit/s ... 802.11g ... 2.4 GHz ... maximum ... 54 Mbit/s ... 22 Mbit/s average throughput 802.11n ... 2.4 and 5 GHz ... maximum ... 54 Mbits/s to 600 Mbits/s ... multiple-input multiple-output antennas (MIMO)

[Yankee fan]

You know --- I am almost afraid to ask this question, but I have to...
What about the Medialink wireless router 300 ( Amazon.com: Medialink - Wireless N Broadband Router - 300 Mbps - 2.4GHz - 802.11n w/ Internal Antenna: Computers & Accessories ) . It gets tremendous reviews from users --- both the 150 and the 300, but it isn't even sold on Newegg.
I know it doesn't have the 4 10/100/1000 for wired (just 4 10/100, but those who have it seem to love it.

I also can't find it mentioned anywhere on PC Mech.

Is this one a bad deal or one waiting to be discovered?

[glc]

I doubt you will get the range out of that one that you would with one with external antennas. That's one complaint I have with the new Linksys stuff.

[Yankee fan]

Yes --- I hear you on that. But over 4000 "5 star reviews between the 150 and the 300 is unreal...

[Yankee fan]

FYI --- You were right about the range of the Medialink. Friend just set a new one up in his home. He has COMCAST with 25 Mbps max. In same room with router, speed on my laptop was 21.5 Mbps. Upstairs bedroom, speed 10.5. Master bedroom 35 to 40 feet away from router, speed was 2.5 Mbps.

Thanks for all the advice.

[glc]

Is your laptop G or N?

I know I keep repeating myself, but I doubt you will get much more than 25 or so with a "G" adapter, no matter what router you get.

[Yankee fan]

Network adaptor is Broadcom 802.11g. Now I get it! Thanks again!

[glc]

Your choices for replacing adapters:

For laptops and other mobile devices that use a standard mini-PCI card (possible compatibility issues with some devices):

TP-LINK TL-WN861N Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n 32-bit Mini PCI Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates WPA2 - Newegg.com

For devices that use a standard mini-PCI Express card:

Newegg.com - Intel Centrino 2200BNHMW IEEE 802.11n Mini PCI Express - Wi-Fi Adapter

For desktop computers that have a PCI-Ex1 slot:

Intel 2200BNHMWDTX1 PCI Express x1 Centrino Advanced-N 2200 for Desktop IEEE 802.11b/g/n Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates - Newegg.com

For desktops that have a PCI slot:

EDIMAX EW-7128Gn PCI Wireless Adapter for PC and Mac - Newegg.com

For anything that has USB, there are all kinds of USB adapters out there, the ones with external antennas work better but they can get in your way.

TP-LINK TL-WN822N High Gain Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n Mini USB 2.0 Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates WPA2 - Newegg.com