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Router 4K advice needed - thx !

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chrisbati

Occasional Visitor
Hi,

I want to upgrade my network configuration and I need a new router.
Even If I build my actual configuration, I'm not a specialist at all.

I'm looking for a router able to support 4K stream easily.
My network is composed by:
- xbox one x: online gaming and 4k over local network
- nvidia shield: 4k over local network
- chromecast: FHD over local network
- 2 pc: online gaming and 4k over local network
- other devices for internet access as Smatphones, AV Receiver, TV

So, mainly 4K and online Gaming.

I also have two internet connection, so I'm looking for a router that can handle load balancing and managing two wan.

Other requirement is the managing interface of the router, as I'm not a specialist at all it has to be accessible (at least in the main function) and not IT engineer oriented .. also I need easy parental control with lot of functionality (not only web filtering but managing access of specific devices by days, hours,...).

So, with what I checked over the net, my choice is oriented to Asus (wan control, power, parental control).

Can someone give me some advice ?

Thanks in advance

Chrisbati

PS: sorry for my english...
 
  • #1: NETGEAR Nighthawk X10.
  • #2: TP-Link Talon AD7200.
  • #3: TRENDnet AC3200 Gigabit Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router.
  • #4: ASUS AC5300 Wi-Fi Tri-Band Gigabit Wireless Router.
  • #5: TP-Link Archer AC1750 Smart Wi-Fi Router.
 
Hi,

I want to upgrade my network configuration and I need a new router.
Even If I build my actual configuration, I'm not a specialist at all.

I'm looking for a router able to support 4K stream easily.
My network is composed by:
- xbox one x: online gaming and 4k over local network
- nvidia shield: 4k over local network
- chromecast: FHD over local network
- 2 pc: online gaming and 4k over local network
- other devices for internet access as Smatphones, AV Receiver, TV

So, mainly 4K and online Gaming.

I also have two internet connection, so I'm looking for a router that can handle load balancing and managing two wan.

Other requirement is the managing interface of the router, as I'm not a specialist at all it has to be accessible (at least in the main function) and not IT engineer oriented .. also I need easy parental control with lot of functionality (not only web filtering but managing access of specific devices by days, hours,...).

So, with what I checked over the net, my choice is oriented to Asus (wan control, power, parental control).

Can someone give me some advice ?

Thanks in advance

Chrisbati

PS: sorry for my english...


When you are talking about 4K streaming on your local network are you talking about streaming from an inhouse video server? If yes are the videos compressed?

Streaming 4K videos from the Internet normally just requires at max 10 - 15 Mbps per stream.

Your results may vary for implementing sophisticated parental controls as older children can be even more sophisticated about bypassing them.
 
Even the 5 year old Netgear R7000 or Asus AC68U will be more than decent for 4K internet streaming/playback and gaming. Also these are still really good routers with mature firmware.

4K streaming via the internet should usually not require more than 20-40 Mbps.

Gaming uses very little bandwidth, usually like a 100 or less kbps. QoS/latency management is more important with gaming.

The R7800 (still among the top for WiFi performance) or AC86U (decent WiFi with excellent VPN performance) would be a decent buy if you want newer models.

I really don’t think you even a triband router, any of the dual band devices I mentioned above can easily take your load. I’ve had a lot more devices with multiple streams and gaming without issue on the R7800 or R7000. I even have an R8500 and R9000 that are in storage so this is from my experience testing devices. The R9000 is overpriced and is essentially a dual band unit as barely anyone really uses the ad band in the consumer space.
 
Last edited:
Even the 5 year old Netgear R7000 or Asus AC68U will be more than decent for 4K internet streaming/playback and gaming. Also these are still really good routers with mature firmware.

4K streaming via the internet should usually not require more than 20-40 Mbps.

Gaming uses very little bandwidth, usually like a 100 or less kbps. QoS/latency management is more important with gaming.

The R7800 (still among the top for WiFi performance) or AC86U (decent WiFi with excellent VPN performance) would be a decent buy if you want newer models.

I really don’t think you even a triband router, any of the dual band devices I mentioned above can easily take your load. I’ve had a lot more devices with multiple streams and gaming without issue on the R7800 or R7000. I even have an R8500 and R9000 that are in storage so this is from my experience testing devices. The R9000 is overpriced and is essentially a dual band unit as barely anyone really uses the ad band in the consumer space.

Curious? Where have you found 4K Internet video at the rates you referenced? Even with two 4K streams from Netflix and a coupld of HD streams I never saw my downloads exceed 50 Mbps.
 
For me it was YouTube 4K 60 FPS, it hit in the 50+ Mbps range. I mentioned that as more of an extreme case.
 
Last edited:
Hi,

thx for your answers.
4K streaming is only on local network, uncompressed.

Except for the Asus, which all the brand can assume Dual Wan (as I understood), are you sure all other routers are able to dual wan ?
 
you can easily use the router finder on the site or use google with the model number to confirm.
 
My main router is a Linksys WRT1900AC V2 with Lede firmware, my plex server is connected to a Linksys EA6900 with ddwrt as a client bridge in the basement. My Mi box is connected to 5Ghz at the other end of my main router, I have no problem streaming 4K content.
 

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