Wireless Router Question

Typhoid · 09-16-2010, 04:11 PM

I really wish we had a general Q&A thread.
I guess nothing is stopping me from making it, but whatever.

Anyways, I know far less about hardware than I do about software, so wireless router quality and whatnot is gibberish to me.

Now, I just need a wireless router so I can finally get my PS3 online. It's a slim, so it needs to be a wireless connection.

The router doesn't have to be super powerful (as the router will only be about 15 feet away in an adjacent room), however I don't know what is a good deal, or what isn't - or even what to look for in the first place. I don't know the difference between brands, or all that fancy code to differ each router.

I'm looking for the most cost-effective router I can find, or even one that would be comparable in price, as long as that price is relatively low.

I've seen some as cheap as 35 bucks, and some as high as 150. And while I assume the only difference between them is signal strength, I really have no idea.

ZebraRampage · 09-17-2010, 12:02 AM

Well, one thing that might be making some routers more expensive these days is the introduction of the N router. Basically N is the newest version of the 802.11 standard. I think that you would probably be fine with a B/G router, which has a combination of the previous two versions of the standard. I don't know if that's fine with a PS3 though, but I'm assuming it is.

My family used to have a B/G router. Well we still do, since the router we have is one of those combined router modems for Verizon Fios. The thing is, the router part of it sucks, and we replaced it twice with no luck. So I shut off the wireless on the router/modem, and then I attached a new B/G/N router to the modem via ethernet cable, and we use that to get wireless in the house. We upgraded to N because my Sony Vaio laptop can receive a wireless signal from an N router.

Anyway, my point is that you probably won't have to worry about N routers, so ignore any router with that designation next to it, because you'll be paying for something that you don't need. The thing is that I can't find proof if the PS3 is or is not compatible with N, but I doubt many people have N routers yet, so their PS3s probably work fine with B/G routers.

I hope that piece of information narrows down the selection a bit. That's the most I know.

Typhoid · 09-17-2010, 01:59 PM

Honestly, while I don't know what you're talking about, I'm going to pretend to understand.

Is a B/G (which I don't know what it means, or the significance) the standard type of wireless?

However, upon looking at the specs for the 120 gig Slim, it says "802.11b/g Wi-Fi" compatable.

So while I have no idea what the significance of an N router is, I suppose I don't even need to worry about that.

So my last couple questions I suppose, are:

IS B/G and N the only 'type' of router?
Does the price of the router (comparing B/G to B/G and N to N) only really mean the signal reaches farther, essentially?

ZebraRampage · 09-17-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoid

Honestly, while I don't know what you're talking about, I'm going to pretend to understand.

Is a B/G (which I don't know what it means, or the significance) the standard type of wireless?

However, upon looking at the specs for the 120 gig Slim, it says "802.11b/g Wi-Fi" compatable.

So while I have no idea what the significance of an N router is, I suppose I don't even need to worry about that.

So my last couple questions I suppose, are:

IS B/G and N the only 'type' of router?
Does the price of the router (comparing B/G to B/G and N to N) only really mean the signal reaches farther, essentially?

N is just an updated version of the 802.11 standard. It's like a new version basically. It's faster and the signal strength is better. If your ps3 says 802.11b/g Wi-Fi compatible then you'll be fine with a router that just says "B/G" on it. I was just trying to say that you shouldn't even consider buying a router that says N on it because you'd be wasting your money. So that eliminates all of the more expensive routers from the list of routers you might be looking at.

manasecret · 09-17-2010, 11:19 PM

Quick note... PS3 Slim has an ethernet port. Maybe you already knew that... but your post made it sound like you think it only has wireless. Thought that might help before I get a chance to delve a little deeper and answer your questions, if Zebra hasn't already.

Typhoid · 09-18-2010, 04:37 AM

Well the reason I'm completely leaning towards the wireless router is because my dsl modem-dealy only has one ethernet port in it [clearly being used for the computer] - not to mention I'd need to put the cord either through the wall, or up the wall, into the ceiling, through 15 feet of ceiling, then down through the ceiling to my PS3.

So I just figured the wireless router would sort of be a lot simpler.

BreakABone · 09-20-2010, 09:46 AM

What ever you do don't get a Belkin router, nothing but trouble for me.

I recommend getting a NetGear router especially one that you can flash with Tomato firmware.

Vampyr · 09-20-2010, 10:44 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124190

I've had this router for over 2 years. I flashed the Tomato firmware onto it as soon as I got it. It's worked extremely well for me (and apparently many others, it has won the customer choice award 38 times on Newegg)

Teuthida · 09-20-2010, 05:09 PM

I'd recommend that one as well. Very easy to configure. Had to give it up when I got fios. I miss it.

Jason1 · 09-25-2010, 09:10 PM

I have that router also. Have for several years now, it works great.

Typhoid · 09-25-2010, 09:33 PM

Well, I made a trade with a friend and got one a couple days ago. Working fine and all that. Didn't have to do much of anything off the bat.

Anyways, thanks for your help etc and so forth.
I'll see [none of] you on PSN.

Jason1 · 09-26-2010, 12:49 PM

Wait, im on PSN, add me Typhoid, ID: stljason1