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E4200 vs. WNDR3700 v.1 observations

Plef5204

Occasional Visitor
I have a relatively small townhome, about 1800 square feet in size.

I had the WRT610N v.1 for 2 years, until I started having issues with it, following a power surge, when I had it connected, unprotected to a power outlet, when I was reconfiguring my network.

That router had a relatively short range.

I replaced it with a WNDR3700 v.1 in January. Overall, this one had a better range, particularly in the 5 GHz band. Speeds improved, sometimes getting up to about 3.85 MBps on file transfers. Occasionally, during the first 30 days, it did really well, getting 4.8 MBps. However, after about 60 days, the device started slowing down....to the point that file transfers could float around 1.2 MBps, consistently. Even on the 5 GHz band, my connectivity could sometimes be only 19 MBps, according to Network and Sharing Center in Windows 7.

The other thing I noticed is that I started having issues with Netflix. I frequently had the connection stall and reconfigure itself due to network connection (Netflix runs via an XBox 360 connected to an access point that connects wirelessly to the router).

In addition I started having problems between that router, and my Toshiba laptop using a Realtek RTL8192E wireless card. It would spontaneously just lose the default gateway....over and over and over again. Particularly if I went to specific websites. I had an IT firm look into it, and finally give up, and suggest replacing the router.

The Linksys E4200 was released in Canada about two weeks ago, so I decided to try that one, as reviews indicated that it might not be the fastest at close range, but that where it excelled was in service to areas with weak coverage (at least from what I understood of the reviews).

I have to say, I'm very impressed. This device was easy to set up (the easiest Linksys I've ever tried configuring), and it's been rock solid. I've moved things around and signal strength jumps between about 30 to 70%, and consistently is about 243 MBps, according to the Network and Sharing Center. File transfers have been blazing fast....sometimes there's a little fluctuation, but on any given day, I can regularly move files at between 7.8 and 9 MBps. A gig file might take a minute or so to move between two computers.

Overall, I'm very impressed.

Incidentally, it has not solved the issue with the laptop losing the default gateway. So this problem has replicated across two routers. So I don't think that's a problem with the Netgear. It's either the laptop or my high speed modem.

Plef5204
 
Heres the thing with me:

I went from having a WRT54GL for about 7 years, to purchasing an E4200, and being immediately disappointed with the range.

I guess i assumed that 7 years later the new tech would be leaps and bounds better, and id be able to connect to my network from 1/4 mile away.

range wasnt much better if at all. Not any worse though.

Disappointed, i returned it and tried 4 other "top range" routers.

All of them except the ASUS RT-N56U, were trumped by the E4200. the Asus is just a notch below the E4200 for range in my application.

So i realize now, that the E4200 DOES get great range, when you compare it to the rest of the pack.
 
In addition I started having problems between that router, and my Toshiba laptop using a Realtek RTL8192E wireless card. It would spontaneously just lose the default gateway....over and over and over again. Particularly if I went to specific websites. I had an IT firm look into it, and finally give up, and suggest replacing the router.

Have you tried new drivers? www.realtek.com.tw
Maybe try a new wireless card. Realtek is not a popular option for wifi.

File transfers have been blazing fast....sometimes there's a little fluctuation, but on any given day, I can regularly move files at between 7.8 and 9 MBps. A gig file might take a minute or so to move between two computers.

I can get 8-9MB/s all day long on my WNDR3700V2.
 

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