Router Help? Suggestions D-Link 655, N+, 633?

[sleepwatch]

Hello,

this site has some serious reviews on routers, a hell of a lot more detailed and informative than anything else I've seen on the net.

So my current situation is I just had my Belkin N1 router brick on me. No lights, no response, dead.

My network needs consists of the following

1 Xbox 360 (wired)
1 PS3 (wired)
1 Windows Vista x32 (wired)
2-3 Vista x64 & x32 laptops (wireless)

I've been pouring over reviews and have shortened my search to the D-Link DIR-655, Belkin N+ & the TRENDNet TEW-633GR. I don't really want to buy another Belkin product since I had problems on a intermittent basis with connectivity and range. I also hate the interface to deal with the router and the Install software NEVER worked, ever. And my previous one bricked.

I was looking at the D-link dgl-4500 because a few friends have it but after reading the review here it looks like the 655 is the same thing. Is there any real advanatage the game fuel feature? I use my PS3 and 360 alot. Would I notice any increase in speed? While the N1 was crappy on the wireless I never really had a problem with Xbox Live or PSN connectivity.

Do people really use the trendnet? Does anyone use it like I might?

My internet is Comcast Cable 16 Mbps plan (ugh) but my building will be installing Verizon FiOS by the end of April and I intend to switch.

I also use torrents alot. Pretty much 12 hours a day so thats important too.

I would appreciate any advice/suggestions.

thanks

 

[thiggins]

The DIR-655 is pretty much the go-to router for single-band draft 11n and gigabit LAN. It will work fine with your 802.11g clients, but don't expect any wireless speed improvement.

You might see some gaming improvement if you game and download torrents at the same time. But don't expect an improvement in ping times, since that is dominated by your Internet connection.

You also might see your Torrent download times get longer with GameFuel / auto QoS enabled since the router will allocate lower priority (less bandwidth) to it.

 

[llmercll]

The DIR-655 is pretty much the go-to router for single-band draft 11n and gigabit LAN. It will work fine with your 802.11g clients, but don't expect any wireless speed improvement.

You might see some gaming improvement if you game and download torrents at the same time. But don't expect an improvement in ping times, since that is dominated by your Internet connection.

You also might see your Torrent download times get longer with GameFuel / auto QoS enabled since the router will allocate lower priority (less bandwidth) to it.

interesting, does the 655 has the QoS which would slow torrents? and if so, can it be disabled?

glad to hear the 655 is the go to router =). is there a big difference between double band and single?

and gigabit lan, that's just an improved lan right? where you can transfer files at 1 gb/sec? do you need a special rj45 cable for that?

 

[thiggins]

interesting, does the 655 has the QoS which would slow torrents? and if so, can it be disabled?

Yes, the 655 has auto-QoS and it can be disabled.

glad to hear the 655 is the go to router =). is there a big difference between double band and single?

There is no benefit to dual-band unless you have dual-band clients. The 5 GHz band usually has fewer competing networks, but it has significantly reduced range.

and gigabit lan, that's just an improved lan right? where you can transfer files at 1 gb/sec? do you need a special rj45 cable for that?

Gigabit Ethernet runs at 1000 Mbps vs. 100 Mbps. Your computers need Gigabit Ethernet network adapters to see any benefit. You don't need special cabling as long as your cables are rated CAT 5e.

 

[llmercll]

Yes, the 655 has auto-QoS and it can be disabled.


There is no benefit to dual-band unless you have dual-band clients. The 5 GHz band usually has fewer competing networks, but it has significantly reduced range.


Gigabit Ethernet runs at 1000 Mbps vs. 100 Mbps. Your computers need Gigabit Ethernet network adapters to see any benefit. You don't need special cabling as long as your cables are rated CAT 5e.

thanks thiggins! you the man!

 

[sleepwatch]

thiggins,

thanks for the clarification. I just picked up a 655 today and I'm going to give it a go.

appreciate the response.

 

[sleepwatch]

In regards to the Firmware for the 655,

I currently have the 1.20. I should install the 1.21, right?

Firmware Information

Current Firmware Version : 1.20

Current Firmware Date : 2008/07/31

Check Online Now for Latest Firmware Version :

This firmware is the latest version.
Check Latest Firmware Version

Latest Firmware Version : 1.21

Latest Firmware Date : 2008-10-15

Available Download Site :

 

[thiggins]

Check the edit history if you have any doubts about upgrading.

 

[tipstir]

Firmware 1.20 and up have been known to still have issues with DNS Relay Forwarder with (TCP+IP+Ethernet+WAN) with DNS Client/Server. Most users disable this feature, but they still have issues. DLINK released 1.22 last week to solve the issue with DNS Relay but also found out the problem didn't go away. So I recommend you use 1.11 since it's more stable.