DIR 655 vs DIR 825 vs. something else

[sarav]

Hi,

I don't know enough to make this decision in time for black friday deals. So, please help me decide.

Points to consider:
* All clients currently are 802.11g.
* I need Gigabit ethernet.
* Should support Static IP assignment over DHCP
* Should support Dyndns
* Obviously enough port forwarding.
* Will be adding a mythTV box that will use 802.11n to record HD content to and play HD content from a NAS box.
* I can't use my existing WRT54G as a second AP because of my roommate (don't ask - long story!!!)

Is the dual band 825 worth the extra $30? I can get the DIR-655 for $77 and the DIR-825 for $106 and both free shipping. Or is there a better router that I can get for cheaper?

Thanks,
Sarav

 

[thiggins]

The 825 is not simultaneous dual-band. So you'll still suffer throughput loss if you run draft 11n and 11b/g clients simultaneously.
The 655 is a good choice for 2.4GHz draft 11n and gigabit switch combo.

 

[sarav]

No, 825 can do simultaneous dual band. The emulator allows simultaneous dual band. If you look at 655 emulator, you will notice that it won't allow simultaneous dual band.

http://support.dlink.com/emulators/dir825/Login.html
http://support.dlink.com/Emulators/dir655/login.html

Btw, I went for the 825. I will be having mixed clients and when having mixed clients the 655 takes a big hit in the down/up throughput. Same happens when having several other 802.11g networks close by. With the DIR-825, I can put the new 802.11n clients in 5GHz and operate with relatively less interference.

-Sarav

 

[thiggins]

First, sorry that I can't read my own review! You are correct that the 825 supports simultaneous dual-band.

All draft 11n routers have reduced throughput when mixing draft 11n and 11b/g clients.

For your plan to work, your draft 11n clients must be dual-band and you will have shorter range.

 

[Q-BZ]

...

For your plan to work, your draft 11n clients must be dual-band and you will have shorter range.

I've read a lot of the reviews by now but if you had to boil it down to a ballpark average figure or percentage...how much of a "shorter range" are we talking about here if it's 5GHz N vs. 2.4GHz N pure with no g,b, or a mixed in?

 

[thiggins]

Not that easy to state as a %. Go look at the open-air tests in the Wireless Charts. 5GHz usually doesn't work at my test locations that have the lowest signal level.

Doesn't matter if you are running mixed clients. It's a signal level issue.