Need a wireless router recomendation

[simple_inhibition]

hey everyone, my dad doesnt enjoy running cable (especially 400ft of cat5, and i dont blame him) and told me that we're going wireless. problem is i dont have a clue as to which router to get. thats where you guys come in. what wireless routers do you use, hows the signal strength, gaming speed and what would you recomend. just FYI price doesnt really matter. i just want the best performance with the least amount of hassles. thanks a bunch everyone

[screwballl]

I have a basic cheap circuit city special Belkin router and wireless PCI card... at ~300 feet the signal through 2 walls is usually 3-4 bars (out of 5) and speed is almost that of wired....
nowadays it is a matter of functions in the router but I tend to suggest to stay away from Linksys

[Panda Man]

Originally Posted by screwballl

stay away from Linksys

FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY!!!!

I prefer D-Link myself, netgear and Belkin are also good names. I have a DI-624 (rev. C) and it rocks. But I don't really know about range, at 75ft and 4 walls the signal is 3-4 bards, but on the laptop in my room (right next to the PC) the signal normally 100% so I'm guessing my Linksys WMP54G is retarded (that and its right next to a wall which may cause interference).

Anyways, I would recommend the D-Link DI-624, but that's just my opinion.

[Computer-Ed]

Okay first lets cut through the fan boys and admit that Linksys works okay, however Linksys is also overpriced. Dlink works pretty solid as does Netgear and Belkin. The key to a really successful wireless setup is to make sure ALL of the hardware is the same brand. You will be amazed at how much easier it makes things.

When looking at the hardware I suggest avoiding the N series equipment right now. The speed boost is not worth the cost and the range is very similiar no matter what you have heard.

Also do not mess with USB connectors if you can help it, the internal card, especially one you can put a high gain antenna on is best. A high gain antenna on the router and card can double your range and make the signal aton more solid at closer ranges.

As for speed, there is no hard and fast way to perdict, wireless has to many variables that are outside your control. Gaming on a wireless setup is a bit problematic. The connect speed can flucuate based on mnay random variables and thus your speed will drop and rise near constantly.

If you are going to game or do LARGE file transfers then a hardwired connection is the best way to go.

As for the CAT5 run you mentioned, is this the total for all systems of a single run to another building? If this is all system I would suggest hardwiring the systems you will game on and wireless the rest.

[screwballl]

My comment stemmed from the fact that I had to return 3 different Linksys items in the past 3 months plus my boss returned 2 Linksys wireless routers in the past month, all due to being defective. Linksys is one of those brands that break on me no matter what type of item it is. The longest I have ever had one work properly in my possession is about 2 weeks.
Yet the Belkin wireless router has worked fantastic for 3 years now and I had a SMC wired router that worked 100% for 6+ years until a power surge took it out. It still works now as long as you don't try to login into the firmware, then it locks up every 3-4 attempts.

[Phosphorous]

D-Link GamerLounge DGL-4300 Wireless Router

This is the one I'm looking to get. The guys at MaxPC recommended it. I asked the same question over there. I don't need wireless myself, but it's always nice just in case I want to use my work laptop at home while I'm down watching TV.

Here's one that my friend here at work HIGHLY recommends as well:

Netgear WPN824 RangeMax

[Computer-Ed]

If you are going to buy either of those routers you will have to get the wireless card for them for your PC to really enjoy the features. The one with the Gigabit LAN is nice but way overpriced, especially since you are not going to be wired with other machines in the house.

I would still suggest you get a basic G wireless set and make sure the cards and router will support a high gain antenna. That will let you have great range and not cost nearly as much.

[screwballl]

Most of the reviews I saw for the gamerlounge were average to slightly above average but nothing spectacular... I was actually looking at that one myself when I was building my system... went with linksys which died on me and now have the SMC working fantastic!

[Panda Man]

Originally Posted by Computer-Ed

Okay first lets cut through the fan boys and admit that Linksys works okay

The wireless cards they provide are okay, but the routers are horrible. I've always had to RMA them or they would die in about a year, or less.

The WPN824 Looks good and has a nice price tag on it, if the reviews are good then I'd recommend it.

[Reloadron]

All I can add is a few years back I bought a Linksys WRT54GS (I think that is what it is as I am at work right now). I added a better antenna set. It has sat in the corner and behaved fine for a few years running 24/7.

Two of the machines connecting through it are running Linksys wireless NICs, and two are running some cheap generic Belkin cards (I think). Never a problem anywhere. The machines are in close range so I can't say much for distance. I need to take a walk with a laptop someday.

About a year ago my neighbor needed a wireless router. I had a Belkin (Clueless as to model) I snagged at MicroCenter I set up. It has sat in his basement running fine for a year or so. Had to reboot his cable modem a few times but that basic Belkin has worked fine.

I can't compare my Linksys to anything else as I never needed to replace it or had a problem with it. It just sits there doing its router thing. Works for me.

I am not an online gammer but if I have a wireless speed of 54 MB/sec accross my network and my cable modem is something like 5 or 6 MB/sec. why would I care if I was wired or wireless? Not that it matters much to me, just curious.

Ron