How much better in the "real world" is 54 over 125?

County · 27 Sep 2006 at 15:49

Hi all

Here is the scenario:

One Desktop PC upstairs
One Laptop PC downstairs
One XBOX used as a multimedia centre upstairs (different room to Desktop PC)

I currently have an NTL modem.

To connect all these with the Laptop on wireless and the XBOX on wired (better when transfering files), which router works better?

Does the 54mbps sufficent for sufing the net on the Laptop or will the 125mbps be better in the long run for the extra bit of cash?

Which make? Linksys? Belkin? :confused:

Will i have to remove the NTL modem and be able to use the router?

Will the router have a built in firewall?

Cheers

Kroegen · 27 Sep 2006 at 17:08

54mbps is sufficient. Linksys is the best kit you could get for a low price

Al Vallario · 27 Sep 2006 at 18:17

54Mbps will be fine for web surfing, video conferencing, online av streaming, gaming... pretty much everything you throw at it. You only really need more if you are looking at transferring large files over the network, or streaming high quality av.

County said:
To connect all these with the Laptop on wireless and the XBOX on wired (better when transfering files), which router works better?

Pretty much any router will suffice. You will need a built-in switch if you are looking at connecting more than one wired device, although this is pretty much standard.

County said:
Which make? Linksys? Belkin?

Avoid Belkin like the plague. Linksys and NETGEAR are both reasonable brands.

County said:
Will i have to remove the NTL modem and be able to use the router?

I haven't dealt with cable routers myself (being an ADSL man) so I'm sure someone can clarify this point, but I would assume you need to keep your modem and just connect the ethernet cable from the modem to your new router. On the other hand, I'm wondering whether this is plausible, considering this would just make it a wireless access point instead of a router. As I say, someone can clarify this, but I don't think it's possible to use a cable router as your modem.

County said:
Will the router have a built in firewall?

Depends on whether or not you buy one with a built-in firewall

County · 27 Sep 2006 at 19:06

Thanks all!

Off to the MM we go

Cheers

toy_soldier · 28 Sep 2006 at 10:11

Al Vallario said:
Avoid Belkin like the plague.

What makes you say this? Some newer Belkin products are actually very good, The Belkin 7633 adsl router increased my sync rate and made my bulldog line much more stable than with my old Dlink and netgear routers.

That comment is a bit outdated now imo.

monkeyWRENCH · 28 Sep 2006 at 14:18

toy_soldier said:
That comment is a bit outdated now imo.

I'd agree with that. The new Belkin G+ MIMO ADSL router is actually really good according to a few magazine reviews recently.