Wireless Router

[Ramor]

I really have no idea where to start but I have plans to get one for when I come home during the summer.

Currently it's just my mother and myself in the house but I like to play online games (obviously) and just need to know a few things about routers before I get one:

Is it really going to affect my play that bad if I'm like a floor above where the router actually is?
What's the difference between Wireless N and Wireless G?
What will I be looking at for a price? like 100~150$?
Any suggestions for a cheap (and effective router) would be nice, and any information I might need to know about setting one up and/or using it etc..

[SephYuyX]

viewforum.php?f=36

Depends on the router/house.
n is faster than g, but n is still rare to find, and outrageous prices for good ones.
Most $50 netgear/linksys' are fine.
See above for a good cheap inexpensive item. newegg.com tigerdirect.com monoprice.com etc.

[Jefe]

1. Is it really going to affect my play that bad if I'm like a floor above where the router actually is?
No, assuming you don't have concrete or w/e between walls.

2. What's the difference between Wireless N and Wireless G?
Range (some other frequency, data rate I'm not gonna get into), G is about 40 meters, where as N is about 80 meters (from the top of my head, so don't quote me on that.). And The N protocol is not implemented yet from my knowledge.

3. What will I be looking at for a price? like 100~150$?
Depending on brand, 80-150

4. Any suggestions for a cheap (and effective router) would be nice, and any information I might need to know about setting one up and/or using it etc..
2Wire is working fine for me for the last 2 years, paid liek 80 bucks, got a rebate for 50, so yeah.

[Quixon]

1 Floor above the router you shouldn't have any problems. I have a crappy Microsoft wireless router and I have a few things 1 Floor below (Xbox, PS3, Wii), and My laptop 1 floor above and I don't have any problems at all.

[Raistlyn]

I would recomend a wireless G for any of your applications it sounds like you would be using...

You kind of need to look at the router signal like a bubble. It will be a decent signal for about 80 feet in any direction barring any major obsticals (Thick walls with alot of alternate wireing to interfere with the signal.) Floors dont generally carry any extreme wireing that would interfere too much, so that should not cause a problem.

A Linksys routers are probably among the best for the price in my experience (I deal with a medium sized network every day) and I only use cicso or linksys for my routing needs. You can find one at any best buy or fry's for 50-80 bucks, or online at pretty much any computer store.

As far as set up and use, read the documentation! each routher is a little bit different.

[Ramor]

Kind of a stupid question, but I figure I'll ask because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
my PC has no inheirent wireless capabilities (to my knowledge), i'm assuming there will be some sort of USB device or relevant piece that comes with the router so that I can use it on my PC?

[Cephius]

Something to note is that for online games, be they MMOs, FPS's, whatever... Wired > Wireless always. If you can, have the modem in your room and hook everything up wired, and use the wireless router so your mom can surf the web or whatever. Wireless networks tend to cut out sometimes and are prone to interference such as microwaves, cordless phones, and other things. Not to say its impossible or horrible to play on wireless, but expect your connection to drop out a few times a month or more if there's a lot of interference in your area.

Try a gaming router if you're really serious, but for the most part your run-of-the-mill Linksys will do the job. It might take some doing to setup your network the way you want it so everything works, but it isn't that difficult.

Kind of a stupid question, but I figure I'll ask because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
my PC has no inheirent wireless capabilities (to my knowledge), i'm assuming there will be some sort of USB device or relevant piece that comes with the router so that I can use it on my PC?

Not always. Check the box or the website if you order it online. Most of the time you'll have to buy a USB wireless adapter. It doesn't have to match brands with your router.

[Evelyn]

Kind of a stupid question, but I figure I'll ask because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
my PC has no inheirent wireless capabilities (to my knowledge), i'm assuming there will be some sort of USB device or relevant piece that comes with the router so that I can use it on my PC?

Need a wireless networking card thats the same or better rating as your router (b,g, or n). You *can* get one that runs off of USB, but your bandwith will be limited by the USB connection (unless you're using 2.0, which not many wireless cards work with). Recommend just getting a PCI-Express card to use and get it over with. They're not hard to install and you don't have to worry about knocking it over or something.

Also, make sure you utilize the encryption protocols, either WEP (64 bit) or WPA (128 bit). Especially prudent if you live in a confined area like a condo/apartment or where houses are just really close together.

[Cephius]

Kind of a stupid question, but I figure I'll ask because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...
my PC has no inheirent wireless capabilities (to my knowledge), i'm assuming there will be some sort of USB device or relevant piece that comes with the router so that I can use it on my PC?

Need a wireless networking card thats the same or better rating as your router (b,g, or n). You *can* get one that runs off of USB, but your bandwith will be limited by the USB connection (unless you're using 2.0, which not many wireless cards work with). Recommend just getting a PCI-Express card to use and get it over with. They're not hard to install and you don't have to worry about knocking it over or something.

Also, make sure you utilize the encryption protocols, either WEP (64 bit) or WPA (128 bit). Especially prudent if you live in a confined area like a condo/apartment or where houses are just really close together.

While connection speeds are limited by your USB speed, unless you have an ultrafast connection it likely won't matter. The problem with PCI-e network cards is that the antenna is located about 1-4 inches from your computer fans, which can greatly affect your connection. One of the reasons I prefer USB devices are that you can run it away from the chassis of your computer. Not that the above poster is wrong, but this is what experience has taught me.

Also, if possible use WPA encryption. WEP is very, very easily cracked. Anyone more than a general knowledge of computers can crack it easily.