From the following routers, which to get?

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blade12

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 29, 2005
Messages
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After reading through the first couple pages of the stickied router recommendations thread, I was able to filter it down to a bunch of routers. It seems like a lot of the routers in the OP to that sticky have changed a bit since it was last updated. Some of them are not sold anymore, prices have significantly dropped, new routers have come into play, etc.

Before I get to it, here's the story and what I'm looking for. My old Linksys BEFSR41 v2 died after giving me 7 solid years. It is time to move on to something bigger and better. For the requirements, I want something that is under $80 first and foremost; I cannot afford a router for more than that unfortunately. I also want gigabit ports (I think a lot of them nowadays are 1000M). It must have wireless capabilities; pretty sure most of them do nowadays. I was planning on getting DD-WRT onto it, but I don't mind if the router firmware is solid as it is and doesn't support DD-WRT. It is just an extra feature that I wouldn't mind having. That's about it for the requirements.

As for what I use it for and how my network is setup... I will use it mostly for gaming and bittorrent, along with some streaming movies. We have 4 computers (usually 2 in use at same time, 3 at max). I also have an internet phone from Vonage with its own connection. From my cable modem, the router will be connected directly. One of the 4 LAN cables will go into internet phone and other 3 will be directly to the computers. The 4th computer will be connected to the extra 1 LAN slot on the internet phone switch.

Here's the routers I looked at so far:

NETGEAR WNR3500L-100NAS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122334

NETGEAR WNR2000-100NAS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122235

Linksys WRT320N - It is $80 at buy.com
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124332

D-Link DIR-655
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127215

TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704038

Anything else? Let me know if I left any details out. I want to order ASAP. My current temporary router keeps on crashing every 20 minutes. It is really bothering me right now; I need to get a new router ASAP so I can trash this one.

Thanks fellows!!
 
jeremyshaw said:
Also the ASUS RT-N16
Click to expand...

I got 4 of these in use. I am using the dd-wrt firmware. The firmware has some quirks. i notice when I apply settings from the wan side it takes awhile to refresh, sometimes I need to manually go to the start page. From the lan side I see the problem less.

3 are used for straight ap's and are really zippy.

I'm not saying don't get it and I am not saying dd-wrt sucks, but letting you know my use. I would buy another and dd-wrt if needed(prob will).
 
sc0tty8 said:
I got 4 of these in use. I am using the dd-wrt firmware. The firmware has some quirks. i notice when I apply settings from the wan side it takes awhile to refresh, sometimes I need to manually go to the start page. From the lan side I see the problem less.

3 are used for straight ap's and are really zippy.

I'm not saying don't get it and I am not saying dd-wrt sucks, but letting you know my use. I would buy another and dd-wrt if needed(prob will).
Click to expand...

Also, the cheapest I found was $90. I don't want to spend that much. Want it to stay under $80.
 
well, I'd recommend cross the DIR655 off your list, at least. Too many differing HW revisions out, under the same model name, and some have serious overheating issues (esp. earlier HW revisions).
 
The TP-Link by far if you want to run 3rd party firmwares, works really good but some seems to be DOA. :-/
//Danne
 
I would rather the Asus RT-N56U right now. And this is coming from a major Ubicom supporter. Love their iOS (GNU based) and processors. I was thinking about waiting for the new D-Link HD Media series (http://ces.cnet.com/8301-32254_1-20027596-283.html) But this will be a ways away. I know your budget is $80, but I do think that this one is worth the cost. Especially, when you consider the fact that it does WDS.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...-dual-band-gigabit-wireless-n-router-reviewed
 
Shikami said:
I would rather the Asus RT-N56U right now. And this is coming from a major Ubicom supporter. Love their iOS (GNU based) and processors. I was thinking about waiting for the new D-Link HD Media series (http://ces.cnet.com/8301-32254_1-20027596-283.html) But this will be a ways away. I know your budget is $80, but I do think that this one is worth the cost. Especially, when you consider the fact that it does WDS.

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...-dual-band-gigabit-wireless-n-router-reviewed
Click to expand...

That router looks very good, but unfortunately I cannot afford it. If I could, I would definitely get it, but money is too tight right now.


diizzy said:
The TP-Link by far if you want to run 3rd party firmwares, works really good but some seems to be DOA. :-/
//Danne
Click to expand...

It seems like a good router, but I wasn't able to find too many reviews.. hmm, I dunno how closely to consider it without several good reviews.. The other routers I listed all have at least 4-5 reviews (except the Linksys WRT320N - not many reviews on that either).


jeremyshaw said:
well, I'd recommend cross the DIR655 off your list, at least. Too many differing HW revisions out, under the same model name, and some have serious overheating issues (esp. earlier HW revisions).
Click to expand...

I read many reviews. It seems like DIR655 is a solid router overall, a couple reviews mentioned some overheating issues. It didn't seem very widespread though.


I have eliminated the NETGEAR WNR2000-100NAS. It doesn't support gigabit network. That still leaves the D-Link, Netgear, TP-Link and Linksys (last 2 with very few reviews). Hmm, I don't know how else to eliminate from those 4.. :eek: Any ideas??
 
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