Best setup for two Linksys WRT3200 routers

[Joe_251]

Total networking rookie here. Not my specialty at all. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.


Moving to a much larger, three story house, and am concerned about wi-fi signal strength throughout the house.

We are heavy users, multiple gaming consoles / Rokus / laptops. (I work in data science and sometimes I work from home so I can chew up a lot of bandwidth) Nothing in the house is on a wired connection, everything is wireless, even the gaming consoles and Roku's.

I've already got a WRT3200 that I've had for a few months now, and am considering purchasing a second to put on the 2nd or 3rd floor of home to increase signal. I've got a 8-port gigabit switch laying around collecting dust.

So what's my best option here to get the best signal and speed?
Modem > Router > Router
or
Modem > Router > Switch > Router

Should run some ethernet cable through the wall/s up to 2nd or 3rd floor to best results?

And is there anything special I need to be aware of during set up?

Specs / Available equipment.
200mpbs connection
Arris Surfboard 6190
2x Linksys WRT3200ACM routers (using the stock Linksys firmware)
Gigabit switch (currently unsused)

 

[kanewolf]

Yes you need to run ethernet cables to get full use of your 200Mbit connection.
I would do the router ->switch -> router (as ACCESS POINT) + other connections.
Move as many stationary devices (TVs, gaming consoles, desktops, Roku, etc) to WIRED connections.