TP-Link Archer C7 or Netgear NightHawk R7000

LeKeiser

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Mar 1, 2015
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Hello all,

Sorry if this post seems redundant, but I really need an advice.
I bought about a month ago a TP-Link Archer c7 v2 (my old Netgear WNR3500U died on me 🙁 ), and was happy with it.
Then last week, there was a great opportunity on Amazon, I got a Netgear NightHawk R7000, that I received and installed yesterday. So far, I'm also very happy with it :)
But here comes the problem: which one would you keep?
I want a router that can handle heavy traffic IF needed, with a good WIFI coverage (my flat isn't that big 😀 ), I have so far only one device using the AC mode. I want a router that will last a few years.
I think both of them are great routers. The Archer doesn't have the hardware the Netgear has (one core at 720MHz against dual core at 1GHz, less memory...) but I think it is fit for any network activity, right?
I have read numerous posts about those two routers, I have also read many reviews about Asus and Linksys routers but they are way too expensive, so out of the question. But still, I'm undecided, and confused. So what would you do yourself?

Thanx for your advices :)

EDIT: forgot to add that my Internet connection is 800Mb/sec | 40Mb/sec
 
To be honest, either of them is fine. The TP-Link was totally fine for what you need, so not quite sure why you bought the Netgear also.

The Netgear is a newer device and has more functions, but still, for what the average home user needs, the TP-Link is fine.

Totally up to you for what you keep.
 
Hello :)
Well, like I said, there was a really good deal for the Netgear, and since I'm a geek, I thought "why not try it?" 😀 But now, I'm faced with both routers that I like, and the choice is hard.
The superior hardware of the Netgear I really like, but that doesn't mean the Archer is not up for any network tasks, right?
 
The TP_Link is perfectly adequate for 99% of people, yes.

There's always something newer/better/faster coming out, but that doesn't mean what you already have won't do what you need.

Some of these routers coming out now will do 3200mbps on wireless AC... hardly anyone needs that much speed, and I don't think there are even adapters that can utilize it. Maybe this is all just for more devices connected at once, who knows.
 
Well I went to work and did some tests.
With the Archer, my Lenovo laptop, 802.11n only, got a max of 81Mbs in the living room. I was a bit surprised because I thought I had seen a higher number with the Netgear. I ran some speedtest, and the results weren't that great. Also, every wifi graphs showed that the 2.4G wasn't high. I also ran some speedtest on my tablet and on my phone, not that great. Still in the living room, about 7m from the router, two wooden doors, that's it.
So I swichted again and put back the Netgear, and the laptop wifi card was once more at 150Mbs and the wifi graphs were much better. Speedtest went double, on the laptop and on the tablet and on the phone (802.ac, went from 75 with the Archer up to 170 and more)

So that's it, final decision: the Wifi is a lot better with the Netgear. A whole lot! So I'm keeping it :)

Thanx for your posts :)
 


I know you have decide to keep that Netgear so this reply is mute, but I too am considering which AC router to get. I thing that is making me think I may go for the Netgear is there faster usb disk access time, so it can be a relatively fast NAS as well.