Upgrade wireless router

[androidguy]

If I upgrade my Netgear WNR1000V3 N150 to at least an N300 router would that increase my speed over a longer range when multiple devices are connected to the Wi-Fi? I only have 6mbps download. I would like to get the faster 24mbps but haven't done so yet.

 

[wurkfur]

The bottleneck is the connection unless you are really far away and running on a single "bar" of signal. The N300 is a decent router and is currently on sale on Amazon.

 

[USAFRet]

A 'faster' router only increases the theoretical speed between you and the router. Does not affect your 6Mbps connection to the outside world.

It can maybe increase connection speed between your PC and other devices on your internal LAN.
Maybe.
But only if all the other devices can connect at that same WiFi speed, and the environmental conditions permit.

 

[mjmacka]

Upgrading the router will not increase your speed in this instance. Especially if you have multiple devices connected.

At a max a single device can pull 6 MB/s. Multiple devices will split that up between the devices based on need. If there is contention for bandwidth something will lose. Think of it like this:
You have a pipe that will allow 6mbps. You have another pipe (wifi) that allows speeds much greater than 6mbps. Your internet needs to travel down both pipes. Having a larger pipe in one section will not help because your max speed is 6 mbps.

The only instance where this is not the case is if you are not utilizing speed due to poor wifi connection on a device that is geographically far from your wifi device.

 

[androidguy]

Didn't mean to select as best answer. My problem is I only get about 3mbps in my bedroom. I need the full 6 in order to stream HD YouTube. Would 300 help this? Thanks for all the help.

 

[mjmacka]

I unselected the solution. A 6MB/s connection is not a guaranteed 6 MB/s. It's a range, most likely of 4.5-6 MB/s.

You need a faster internet connection. That's the only solution to this issue.

 

[androidguy]

I unselected the solution. A 6MB/s connection is not a guaranteed 6 MB/s. It's a range, most likely of 4.5-6 MB/s.

You need a faster internet connection. That's the only solution to this issue.

Thanks! If I get 6mbps wired in and right next to it isn't it possible to somehow get this speed in the bedroom? I know there are repeaters but mine drops constantly, it is very impractical for me to run an ethernet cable to an access point, and I can't really think of a way to get that speed in my bedroom. The 6mbps speed is pretty consistent (5.80) normally which I think is somewhat do to the fact that I live in a small town and use a local internet provider.

 

[KevinAr18]

deleted

 

[androidguy]

I can but I would like it too be a wireless fix because there are multiple devices like laptop and smart phones in that side of the house. I would like to run an ethernet jack but its an exterior wall so not possible the only way would be to drill through the ceiling which wouldn't look well.

 

[androidguy]

I get the full 6mbps on my tablets and smartphone but not on my apple tv or laptop unless no one else is doing heavy downloading. If someone else is I have to move closer to the router in order to get the full 6 mbps. Would getting the N300 router increase the speed in my bedroom even when someone starts downloading large files from the internet or do I just need to get the 24mbps speed upgrade?

 

[Airm3n]

If you aren't particular about brands I have been using asus routers for the past couple years since i ditched linksys. Something like an rt-n56u or rt-n66u would probably work very well for you. Using 2.4 ghz band is ok as you'll get more range but if there are a lot of wifi networks in the area that you can see it will drop your speeds a lot. Running on 5ghz band is great as you can potentially get more throughput but you lose range. I have the netgear WN2500RP and am running that with great success in my detached garage. What i like about it as an extender is that you can have it pick up on say 5ghz band off your router and then retransmit on 2.4ghz with no loss in speed. Also works as an access point at the same time.

 

[androidguy]

If you aren't particular about brands I have been using asus routers for the past couple years since i ditched linksys. Something like an rt-n56u or rt-n66u would probably work very well for you. Using 2.4 ghz band is ok as you'll get more range but if there are a lot of wifi networks in the area that you can see it will drop your speeds a lot. Running on 5ghz band is great as you can potentially get more throughput but you lose range. I have the netgear WN2500RP and am running that with great success in my detached garage. What i like about it as an extender is that you can have it pick up on say 5ghz band off your router and then retransmit on 2.4ghz with no loss in speed. Also works as an access point at the same time.

I'll look into those routers. I would like the 5ghz band capability the only problem is my laptop doesn't support it. I know I could buy an adapter but I don't really want something to be attached to it since it is a laptop. Although my phone and tablet do pick it up. Thanks for the help!

 

[androidguy]

If you normally get 6Mbps, but only get 3Mbps in another room, then it is likely a range issue. Your router supports up to 150Mbps.

The router has multiple ethernet ports. Are you sure you can't run an ethernet cable directly to the router? Even at 50ft, it's only $14, and 100ft is only $20. That lets you run it under the floor or even in the ceiling.
http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=105&cp_id=10208&fq=ColorGroupMainPid:y

I ran a 100ft cat 6 ethernet cable to another access point in the low signal bedroom and now get the full 6mbps no matter what! The ethernet cable is somewhat hidden behind furniture, under floor mats, and doorways, etc. until I can run it through the attic, I have not done so yet because it is summer and very hot. Thanks again for the help!