Suggest a New Router...

[m0b1l3tr0ll]

I have been using a Belkin wireless G router for a couple of years and my second one is finally starting to give up the ghost. I have heard (from a pretty unreliable source) that the particular router I have is prone to overheating, which is why I am having problems getting more then a year out of them.

I am a casual gamer, but mostly its just used for drooling over tech websites, email, etc. I have 1 pc that is wired directly and a laptop and a wii that connect wirelessly.

Any suggestions as to a good router that will not break the bank, but perform adequately for longer then 1 year. (I'd buy a new one every year but my wife doesn't share my enthusiasm for new gadgets :( ).

[VinnyTAMU]

I would suggest the Linksys WRT54GL (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190)

I have had mine running for 6 months (running DD-WRT firmware) and only 1 restart.

[jiggamanjb]

Anything that will accept being flashed with dd-wrt gets my vote.

[hafa]

We've gone through more Linksys routers than I can count. Their failure rate is nothing short of astounding and we've also suffered compatibility issues, of all things (would not work with certain Intel 10/100/1000 NICS).

D-Link routers, on the other hand, have been phenomenal, dozens in the field, 0 failures. I have some 804-HVs still in service that are pushing 10 years old. We're currently using this one (http://www.mwave.com/mwave/externalTracking.asp?TrackingID=pageInfo&scriteria=3989217) at our home/office (wireless, I know; customers like the convenience...) and it's absolutely bullet-proof.

[AleciaBrent]

I recommend Netgear, and Linksys as a second choice.

[mbentley]

I would suggest the Linksys WRT54GL (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190)

I have had mine running for 6 months (running DD-WRT firmware) and only 1 restart.

another vote from me for the wrt54gl. i got one of these for my parents as i wanted something that would work for them. it's been running since march 2008 without needing a restart (i don't live with them, but they certainly wouldn't have a clue how to restart it and i would get a call about the internet not working :D )

We've gone through more Linksys routers than I can count. Their failure rate is nothing short of astounding and we've also suffered compatibility issues, of all things (would not work with certain Intel 10/100/1000 NICS).

D-Link routers, on the other hand, have been phenomenal, dozens in the field, 0 failures. I have some 804-HVs still in service that are pushing 10 years old. We're currently using this one (http://www.mwave.com/mwave/externalTracking.asp?TrackingID=pageInfo&scriteria=3989217) at our home/office (wireless, I know; customers like the convenience...) and it's absolutely bullet-proof.

i have never heard of the problem with certain intel nics. can't imagine what it could be. chipset related issues, maybe?

[gangaskan]

I would suggest the Linksys WRT54GL (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190)

I have had mine running for 6 months (running DD-WRT firmware) and only 1 restart.

nice! : )


i'm happy with my 851W that i bought recently, lowered my standards back to 100meg but the whole cisco experience is a blast

[meionm]

Any router that you can flash with DD-WRT firmware.

[hafa]

i have never heard of the problem with certain intel nics. can't imagine what it could be. chipset related issues, maybe?

Neither has Linksys. In their defense, their customer service was excellent. They really bent over backwards trying to solve the issue, but were ultimately unable to do so.

The really bizarre bit was that the affected machines could ping the WAN and other machines in the LAN, but not the router. This made DNS and DHCP problematic, to say the least. The NICs in question were Intel PRO/1000 EB and the routers were WRV 200s.

[Jayws]

I would suggest the Linksys WRT54GL (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190)

+1

[splat]

i did have a saleman in Compusa tell me once that since cisco has taken over linksys, the quality of the linksys products has gone down hill. however, i have never had a problem with them. The befsr41 router i bought years ago still works great, the BEFw11s4 i bought 6 years ago was just replaced with a wrt45g this winter and it still worked great despite the fact that 3 of the switch ports got fried by an electrical storm a few years ago.

but, i've used netgear, d-link, and linksys and never had a problem with either. i'd suggest the wrt45g as that's what I run and I know it works (3 years now)

[Audioaficionado]

You could also get a gigabit switch for the wired connections and then connect that to a cheaper wireless router for internet and wireless connectivity. Unless you want some fancy VPN tunneling or DMZ game server options.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833105097

All my last 4 routers died after a year so and now I'm using my Motorola Vonage router. It works more or less :rolleyes:

[FireMogle]

I have a linksys with DD on it, but it did get hot till I put a 80mm fan on it. Nice and cool now. If its heat that killing you and you dont mind a fan its fairly easy to do.

[Randyman...]

What do you guys think are the best Draft-N WiFi + Gigabit Ethernet Routers at the moment?

I'm currently doing as Audioaficionado does with a seperate Modem, seperate Router/WiFi (WRT54G w/DDWRT), and a seperate Gig-E switch for the LAN. I'd like an all-in-one approach that is just as reliable but with Draft-N and maybe better G Range as well...

I always read the reviews on the Linksys and Netgear Gig-E Routers, and I see mixed reviews across the board...

BTW - My WRT54G's have been solid (v2 and v3). I did have an older BEFSX41 that died a long time ago...

Thanks :cool:

[m0b1l3tr0ll]

At the risk for sounding newbish.... What is DD-WRT and why do I want it?

And thx for all the great suggestions. :)

[Randyman...]

DD-WRT is a custom firmware that is FREE, and allows you to tweak most Linux based Routers. For instance, you have the ability to increase the WiFi TX power (Radio Power), and lots of other cool stuff like RDS. Google DD-WRT and check it out!

Are there any suggestions on a sweet Draft-N + Gig-E Router? I'll spend upwards of $200 for a good one...

:cool: