Wifi extender or router?

[biofoxes]

I have a modem and router combo box from Cox which was recently moved further away from my PC. Since then, I've been getting pretty crappy wifi coverage and I haven't been able to play any online games lately because of the ridiculous lag and occasional connection drop.

Which would be a better choice for my situation:

1. A wifi extender.

or

2. Disabling the router function on my combo box and connecting a more sufficient router to it.

While I'm at it, anybody have some decent and affordable recommendations that cover a roughly 3k sq ft one level home?

Thanks.

 

[thor220]

The problem with a Wifi extender is that it still relies on another wifi signal. If the Cox modem/router already has poor wireless, that's going to translate into the extender as well. I'd recommend that you purchase a high end wireless router instead.

I'd probably recommend something like the trendnet archer c7 or c9. It runs on the latest wireless standard, has excellent range and speed, and is really well priced for the features it provides. You won't really find a router with better range unless you are willing to spend 200+ and even then you are only going to see small gains.

 

[biofoxes]

The problem with a Wifi extender is that it still relies on another wifi signal. If the Cox modem/router already has poor wireless, that's going to translate into the extender as well. I'd recommend that you purchase a high end wireless router instead.

I'd probably recommend something like the trendnet archer c7 or c9. It runs on the latest wireless standard, has excellent range and speed, and is really well priced for the features it provides. You won't really find a router with better range unless you are willing to spend 200+ and even then you are only going to see small gains.

The modem/router is situated at the front of the house, so the front half gets decent wifi but back half of the house doesn't. So I guess it adequately covers roughly 1500 sq ft; I was hoping to get something like this and place it at a more central location to cover the rest of the house:

Amazon Link

Is it too weak for what I want to do with it? If it is then I guess I'll have to start looking into the higher priced ones like the archer c7 you mentioned which I would like to purchase, I just don't have too much money to spend at the moment. If you think that the netgear one would be a waste of time to try, then I'd rather just save the money for the higher quality one.

 

[thor220]

If you don't have allot of money then getting that cheap router to extend the range would most likely be your best option. You need to place the router that is going to repeat the signal in a place that has good reception of the first router's signal. Otherwise the repeated signal will drop out all the time and will be very slow.

Drawbacks of repeating a signal like this are slower speed and higher chance of dropouts.


Also, is it not possible to move the modem / router to the middle of the house?

 

[biofoxes]

If you don't have allot of money then getting that cheap router to extend the range would most likely be your best option. You need to place the router that is going to repeat the signal in a place that has good reception of the first router's signal. Otherwise the repeated signal will drop out all the time and will be very slow.

Drawbacks of repeating a signal like this are slower speed and higher chance of dropouts.


Also, is it not possible to move the modem / router to the middle of the house?

The modem/router's position is sort of difficult to explain but I don't think we can move it further towards the middle. It used to be closer to my room before but had to be moved due to some complicated household reasons.

Would I need to disable the modem's router function in order to use the new router?

 

[thor220]

If you don't have allot of money then getting that cheap router to extend the range would most likely be your best option. You need to place the router that is going to repeat the signal in a place that has good reception of the first router's signal. Otherwise the repeated signal will drop out all the time and will be very slow.

Drawbacks of repeating a signal like this are slower speed and higher chance of dropouts.


Also, is it not possible to move the modem / router to the middle of the house?

The modem/router's position is sort of difficult to explain but I don't think we can move it further towards the middle. It used to be closer to my room before but had to be moved due to some complicated household reasons.

Would I need to disable the modem's router function in order to use the new router?

You could leave it on so that people in the house can connect to whichever router is closer. Just make sure that you have the wireless networks set to broadcast on different channels to avoid any possible interference problems.

 

[rasmasyean]

The other, although a bit more work, option is to get an Ethernet cable and connect it to a new router (with DHCP diabled to make it an AP) somewhere closer to you. This entails wiring the house up a bit thought but would work better.

You'd connect each router by LAN ports and set different channels on each do they don't interfere.

 

[rasmasyean]

Oh, also, depending on how "bad" your connection is, sometimes you can get one of those strong adapters (e.g. 5 dbi) or use a homemade dish like "Windsurfer antenna template". I've had luck with both of these (and combo) methods when trying to connect something far away or through walls.

 

[biofoxes]

If you don't have allot of money then getting that cheap router to extend the range would most likely be your best option. You need to place the router that is going to repeat the signal in a place that has good reception of the first router's signal. Otherwise the repeated signal will drop out all the time and will be very slow.

Drawbacks of repeating a signal like this are slower speed and higher chance of dropouts.


Also, is it not possible to move the modem / router to the middle of the house?

The modem/router's position is sort of difficult to explain but I don't think we can move it further towards the middle. It used to be closer to my room before but had to be moved due to some complicated household reasons.

Would I need to disable the modem's router function in order to use the new router?

You could leave it on so that people in the house can connect to whichever router is closer. Just make sure that you have the wireless networks set to broadcast on different channels to avoid any possible interference problems.

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

 

[biofoxes]

The other, although a bit more work, option is to get an Ethernet cable and connect it to a new router (with DHCP diabled to make it an AP) somewhere closer to you. This entails wiring the house up a bit thought but would work better.

You'd connect each router by LAN ports and set different channels on each do they don't interfere.

Oh I think I'm too newbie to try something of this sort- it might seem more intimidating in writing than in action but I don't think it would be something I'd try out unless I'm more experienced and needed a solid connection in all rooms.

 

[biofoxes]

Oh, also, depending on how "bad" your connection is, sometimes you can get one of those strong adapters (e.g. 5 dbi) or use a homemade dish like "Windsurfer antenna template". I've had luck with both of these (and combo) methods when trying to connect something far away or through walls.

The windsurfer antenna template actually seems pretty interesting and neat. Thanks.

 

[thor220]

Oh, also, depending on how "bad" your connection is, sometimes you can get one of those strong adapters (e.g. 5 dbi) or use a homemade dish like "Windsurfer antenna template". I've had luck with both of these (and combo) methods when trying to connect something far away or through walls.

I think if he had to buying a better antenna would be the best choice here by far. Most of them can be stuck to the wall and can be moved much closer to the system if need be. If he was in an area with thick walls, a router with the latest wireless AC is specifically designed to penetrate much better.

 

[rasmasyean]

Oh, also, depending on how "bad" your connection is, sometimes you can get one of those strong adapters (e.g. 5 dbi) or use a homemade dish like "Windsurfer antenna template". I've had luck with both of these (and combo) methods when trying to connect something far away or through walls.

I think if he had to buying a better antenna would be the best choice here by far. Most of them can be stuck to the wall and can be moved much closer to the system if need be. If he was in an area with thick walls, a router with the latest wireless AC is specifically designed to penetrate much better.

I've actually experienced poor range with AC (5 GHz). It works good "close up", but when further away, the signal deteriorates presumable due to less reflection and walls in the way. The lower frequencies at 2.4 GHz work better at long range. My experience anyway. Physics suggest that long wavelength (small frequency) bounces best. Like visible light (THz) bounces really poorly. Which is why LiFi is marketed as private since it only works in the room.

 

[thor220]

Oh, also, depending on how "bad" your connection is, sometimes you can get one of those strong adapters (e.g. 5 dbi) or use a homemade dish like "Windsurfer antenna template". I've had luck with both of these (and combo) methods when trying to connect something far away or through walls.

I think if he had to buying a better antenna would be the best choice here by far. Most of them can be stuck to the wall and can be moved much closer to the system if need be. If he was in an area with thick walls, a router with the latest wireless AC is specifically designed to penetrate much better.

I've actually experienced poor range with AC (5 GHz). It works good "close up", but when further away, the signal deteriorates presumable due to less reflection and walls in the way. The lower frequencies at 2.4 GHz work better at long range. My experience anyway. Physics suggest that long wavelength (small frequency) bounces best. Like visible light (THz) bounces really poorly. Which is why LiFi is marketed as private since it only works in the room.

5 Ghz is better at getting through walls but has reduced range compared to 2.4 Ghz. A dual band router can decide when it is best in each situation and thus is able to achieve higher actual range than 2.4 Ghz alone in most situations. Newer AC wireless routers typically have the latest firmware and implementation of 2.4 Ghz wireless which usually means they will get better range. Of course, cheaper routers will only follow the minimum.