Would I benefit from a new decent router?

sprite1275

sprite1275

sprite1275

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I'm with talk talk and have there essentials router. http://accessories.talktalk.co.uk/product_details.aspx?idProduct=30

I know very little about routers but I'm just wondering if I would benefit from better speeds and more range. Don't really have much connected, just my gaming PC, 2 phones and a PC upstairs hardwired. There are a few places in the house that we loose connection.
I think my WiFi on the gaming rig supports 2 channels 2.4 & 5ghz as does our phones, not sure if that means much. :)
 
Very little info so not much to go on, without more detail no one can accurately tell you if you would see any benefits using a new router.

What broadband package are you on? Standard ADSL or Fibre?

Do you know how to post your router stats? i.e. downstream rate, upload rate, SNR, attenuation, etc.

Can you run a speed test (www.speedtest.net) on your PCs and phones (if concerned about phones) and post the results? We can then can compare against your router stats to see if you are already obtaining the maximum possible speed.
 
OK, were on the essentials package through phone line.

Not sure how to get the router stats.

Speed on PC is around 5.1mb, can't do the phones as the test requires flash.
 
This router is quite a good and full featured Dlink made model and has an utterly excellent modem. Stick with it. I actually find the modem in mine better than that in my Billion on my long ADSL2+ line :)
 
Jez said:
This router is quite a good and full featured Dlink made model and has an utterly excellent modem. Stick with it. I actually find the modem in mine better than that in my Billion on my long ADSL2+ line :)
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Oh right. What are the features that it has? It seems such a light, plasticy thing that it just makes you think its not up to much.
 
Electronics do not weigh much, and yes it has a bit of a cheap case.:)

On the talktalk cover page, go into advanced mode. This will reveal the proper D-Link web interface with a full featureset.

Telnet is enabled by default, and the modem is fully configurable through that for SNR targets etc. You honestly wont do better than it really as an ADSL router/modem.
 
Jez said:
Electronics do not weigh much, and yes it has a bit of a cheap case.:)

On the talktalk cover page, go into advanced mode. This will reveal the proper D-Link web interface with a full featureset.

Telnet is enabled by default, and the modem is fully configurable through that for SNR targets etc. You honestly wont do better than it really as an ADSL router/modem.
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Fair enough I'll keep the cash in my pocket then :) shame it has no USB or dual channel on it though.
If I wanted to boost the signal hows best to do it? Would it be better to buy a booster or a router with stronger signal, then use the talk talk router as a modem (if possible)
 
Are you likely to be getting FTTC any time soon in your area?

If you are, then i would personally go and buy a decent ethernet router with AC wireless and any trimmings you may wish for, and then use the talktalk ADSL router as a modem attached to that. You can then keep the new router for use with the faster future services by attaching different modems to it over time.

Failing that, you could buy another access point or range booster, or indeed swap the whole router out (routers are cheap) but i wouldnt bother unless the wireless performance isnt actually doing its job.
 
Jez said:
Are you likely to be getting FTTC any time soon in your area?

If you are, then i would personally go and buy a decent ethernet router with AC wireless and any trimmings you may wish for, and then use the talktalk ADSL router as a modem attached to that. You can then keep the new router for use with the faster future services by attaching different modems to it over time.

Failing that, you could buy another access point or range booster, or indeed swap the whole router out (routers are cheap) but i wouldnt bother unless the wireless performance isnt actually doing its job.
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Thanks, looking at the BT website my area is "purple, Future exchanges"

like you say ill just leave it as it is i think.

Here are the stats of the router anyway:
 
Im now thinking of creating an AP to extend the wifi range. After looking for an old router to try i came across my D-link 2740R.
I have a homeplug and was thinking of using the 2740R as the AP but im just wondering if the 2740R is better than the D-link 3680 which i have as my router. If it is ill swap them and have the 3680 as the AP.

Anyone know if ones better than the other?
 
The Talktalk router has the best ADSL modem you will come across on any router, leave that as your internet router :)
 
Jez said:
The Talktalk router has the best ADSL modem you will come across on any router, leave that as your internet router :)
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Sorry meant to mention that the D-link 2740R is a talktalk Supplied router. Will that have one of the best modems aswell? just seems a more quality router and also has 3 antennas.
 
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So it sounds to me like you're not really too worried about the speed of the network connection but the reach of your wifi.

It would seem to me then that you're best to get a better wireless access point and connect this to the router with cat5; you could then either keep the talktalk router's wifi enabled or you could switch its wifi off.

Based on the layout of your house and the areas where you've no signal, does it strike you that you'd do well with a single, much better wifi access point? Or do you reckon you need more than one at the same time to ensure decent coverage?
 
Looking at the SN margin it is a virtually identical sync, the newer modem being slightly better but not note worthily so :)
 
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