Need help choosing a new ADSL modem router...

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Joined
6 Apr 2008
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235
Location
Peterborough, England
Alright guys, need a bit of help picking out a wireless ADSL all-in-one modem router please. I currently have a BT Voyager 2110 that has served me well for two years or so. I'm looking to upgrade for several reasons; it's started to drop the connection randomly, it's wireless has always been slightly lacking downstairs, and generally it's starting to show its age a bit.

What I want to use it for is my PC and my Xbox 360. I stream media to my 360 as well as obviously playing online with both, and I do upload/download a fair bit of data via torrents and things like that. It'll be on 24/7, so I need something reliable. I'd like it to run fairly cool and also it'll be in my bedroom so I don't want something with blazing lights like the Voyager 2110 (though I could easily cover anything that does, so it's a minor preference!)

So, a brief list of the features I'm looking for:

- Four gigabit ethernet ports for my PC (2x for teaming) and Xbox (1x)
- Preferably N wireless technology, N1 is overkill and G+ doesn't cut it. How is G+ MIMO?
- Solid, easily configurable firewall and security would be a massive bonus
- Reliable
- Runs cool with no really bright lights (these are just preferences, not essential)
- Not really sure what sort of changes are going to be made in the future, but ADSL2+ / 21CN compatability would be useful, and general all-round future proofness.

I don't want to spend silly money on one, so let's say £100 is my limit.
 
Maybe;

ADSL Modem = £30
WRT54GL = £40
GS605 = £25

Boost the wireless with the open source router and then gigabit connection between the bits you want.
 
I've done some more researching and it seems to me that the two routers that fit my requirements as near as possible are the D-Link DIR-655 and the Netgear WNR854T.

I know both of these come without ADSL modems, but it's clear that I can't do what I want in a single box (well, unless you count the Belkin N1 Vision) and that the seperate modem will shatter my £100 mark. Nevermind I guess.

So does anyone have any experience with these routers? What are your thoughts? I hear the Netgear is fastest wirelessly, but the D-Link gets good reliability reviews.

And, since I'll be needing a modem, does anyone have any recommendations for that?
 
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