What is the curently best recommended dual band router for the home?

THE_EGG

THE_EGG

THE_EGG

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Guys I'm after a new dual band wireless router (20MB Virgin Cable) for my house so I can stream movies from the PC to the Xbox and not have it drop speed when other family members are browsing the internet.

Needs to be under £150 and so far have shortlisted these 2 dual band routers based on a couple of reviews:

Netgear WNDR3700
Belkin Double N+ F6D6230UK4

Does anyoen own one of these or another dual-band wireless router and any recommendations please?

Cheers
 
Jon - any issues with range mate? Seems to be the only negative I've read about it.

Also is the interface easy to navigate and configure?
 
I have the WNDR3700 and HIGHLY recommend it!

Range and speed are awesome but bear in mind the maximum will only he attained with likewise compatible N wireless items.

As for the interface it's really easy to navigate and adjust.

Cheers,

PC
 
I have the wireless N adapters on all my xbox's and that's all I need I guess.

I'm more intrigued to learn if you really can stream on the 5GHz band and still surf on the 2.4GHz band without any detriemental effect on throughput performance?
 
THE_EGG said:
Jon - any issues with range mate? Seems to be the only negative I've read about it.

Also is the interface easy to navigate and configure?
Click to expand...

Not had any problems with the range. Can get a wireless signal anywhere in the house (just a normal size 3 bedroom detached). Get the full 10mb as well, the max for the Virgin Media package we're on. The interface is very easy to navigate and configure. Tbh, its probably overkill for our needs but I personally don't like to skimp on networking equipment.
 
The WNDR3700 supports "Automatic" QoS; I'm not sure what exactly that is! In all honesty it just sounds like you need to set up QoS at home to ensure the stream connection.
 
Likewise - I want the best router I can get and the Netgear looked a good choice.

Not sure if I need to buy any new wireless adapters/cards for the rest of the house now!

Would the WNDR3700 easily be the best choice for my setup do you think?

It will need to be housed in my 4th bedroom (the office) and have 2 PC's connected directly two it (Gigabit preferably). My daughter has an XBOX with a wireless N adapter and a laptop and my sons also have an Xbox with a wireless N adapter and a PC that uses a Wireless PCI card. Downstairs in the lounge I have another Xbox with a wireless N adapter, a Wii, a netbook with inbuilt wireless and a PC in the dining room that uses a wireless N PCI card. In the kitchen there's another netbook with inbuilt wireless if I want to use webradio or Last.fm when I'm cooking!

Be lost without my wireless me thinks!!
 
For all your static stuff like the xboxes and PC's I'd seriously consider homeplug, it will give you much better speed and reliability and you won't be competing for bandwidth on your congested wireless. Could be done for your £150 budget.
 
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