Choosing a router

[Feraly]

Hi, I'm getting a new router because I've been having d/c issues which I believe is an issue with my current router (d-link DGL 4300). One question I had is how important are the 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports? Using speedtest.net I get about 28mb/s and when actually downloading I max about 2mb/s, my current router has them, does it even make a difference at these speeds?

Anyways I would like both wireless and wired support, have 3 computers in the house(1 PC wired, and 2 laptops wireless) and I would like to spend under $100

Here are some nice deals I found on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z7AKGC/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B99I34

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F7HLRC/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LIFB7S/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004T9RR4A/

If anyone has any opinions on those or recommendations that would be great!

[Cybeloras]

Be careful when talking about data rates. "28mb/s", as you wrote, is 28 millibits (which don't exist). "28Mb/s" is 28 Megabits per second, and "28MB/s" is 28 Megabytes per second. A byte is 8 bits.

If you meant "28MB/s" then a megabit router (100) will bottleneck your internet connection, while a gigabit router (1000) will do you just fine, but if you meant "28Mb/s", then a megabit router (100) will do just fine (unless you are going to be transferring a lot of data between computers using it, in which case I would go for a gigabit router.)

In any case, make sure the router supports 802.11n (all those that you linked do) for your wireless connections if you want to future-proof them.

[Feraly]

Sorry forgot about all that stuff >< definitely meant 28Mbs

[Baelic]

If you meant "28MB/s" then a megabit router (100) will bottleneck your internet connection, while a gigabit router (1000) will do you just fine, but if you meant "28Mb/s", then a megabit router (100) will do just fine (unless you are going to be transferring a lot of data between computers using it, in which case I would go for a gigabit router.)

Thankfully it really doesn't matter since every modern computer is using a Gigabit Network card and virtually all routers (like the ones OP posted) use Gigabit Ports. Also, quick research points me to believe it's Megabits since the local ISPs in my area use that terminology.

Also, in case you were wondering. The reason why you see two different download rates has very much to do with what Cybe mentioned. Your connection is depicted in Megabits per second, but whenever you download from your computer your OS (this could be different in Mac OS/X) displays in Megabytes per second. Hence the disperity.

To answer your Router suggestion though, I'd recommend going with a dual-band router. It'd help isolate your gaming connections from everything else improving connection stability.

[Feraly]

Okay thanks, today I learn things ^^ I see the ~2MBs on the WoW launcher and Steam. And thanks for the suggestion, the Linksys E2500 or D-Link DIR 825 look like the most affordable dual band routers at this point. I should mention that the 2 laptops are mostly used for streaming video/movie content and the PC mostly used for gaming.

[Prag]

I can safely say that the Linksys WRT54G is the best router I've ever owned. It has over 3000 reviews on Newegg and still holds a 5-egg rating. Last month was the first time in 5 years I've had to update the firmware.

Should be pretty cheap. I get amazing speeds through my 1200 Sq Ft condo with no repeaters.

[chaud]

Buy something that you can load Tomato or DD-WRT onto, as it usually offers better performance and more options than stock firmware. People seem to love http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320038 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124388