Which Router Should I Get?

[aygart]

I am looking to upgrade from my Belkin n600 router. I keep needing to restart it and find that it does not work fast enough for my Obi. I am looking at 2 routers available from NewEgg on sale, but I am open to suggestions.
1. NETGEAR AC1750 Dual Band WiFi Gigabit Router R6300-NAS v1 $99 with promo code EMCPDWP233
2. BUFFALO AirStation Extreme AC 1750 Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router - WZR-1750DHP $89 with promo code EMCPDPE63

From the specs it looks like the Buffalo is the better choice.

• It has one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 vs 2xUSB2.0
• 512mb RAM vs 128mb
• Broadcom BCM4708A 1ghz (ETA: some places say 800mhz, but Broadcom says 1ghz ) dual core vsBCM4706 600mhz single core

One thing I am concerned about though with the Buffalo is the cooling since it is kept inside a a closed vented cabinet with a fan but still things are abit tight in there. The Netgear looks to be a better vented case.

[jaywhy]

I recently got the Apple Airport Extreme and it's fantastic. Blazing fast and no issues whatsoever.

[notanonymous]

I am looking to upgrade from my Belkin n600 router. I keep needing to restart it and find that it does not work fast enough for my Obi. I am looking at 2 routers available from NewEgg on sale, but I am open to suggestions.
1. NETGEAR AC1750 Dual Band WiFi Gigabit Router R6300-NAS v1 $99 with promo code EMCPDWP233
2. BUFFALO AirStation Extreme AC 1750 Gigabit Dual Band Wireless Router - WZR-1750DHP $89 with promo code EMCPDPE63

From the specs it looks like the Buffalo is the better choice.

• It has one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 vs 2xUSB2.0
• 512mb RAM vs 128mb
• Broadcom BCM4708A 1ghz (ETA: some places say 800mhz, but Broadcom says 1ghz ) dual core vsBCM4706 600mhz single core

One thing I am concerned about though with the Buffalo is the cooling since it is kept inside a a closed vented cabinet with a fan but still things are abit tight in there. The Netgear looks to be a better vented case.

I cannot address your cooling question, but Buffalo is "b'derech klal" the better brand.

Maybe before you buy a new router, try putting dd-wrr on your Belkin?

[DanH]

I cannot address your cooling question, but Buffalo is "b'derech klal" the better brand.

Maybe before you buy a new router, try putting dd-wrt[\b]on your Belkin?

FTFY

[aygart]

I cannot address your cooling question, but Buffalo is "b'derech klal" the better brand.

Maybe before you buy a new router, try putting dd-wrt on your Belkin?

will the firmware really make such a difference? For that matter, I am a bit ignorant about the different router firmwares, so can you give a basic explanation of what the advantages of dd-wrt and/or Tomato are?

[notanonymous]

will the firmware really make such a difference? For that matter, I am a bit ignorant about the different router firmwares, so can you give a basic explanation of what the advantages of dd-wrt and/or Tomato are?

I keep needing to restart it

You need to restart it for one of two reasons: hardware or software.  If the former, then installing dd-wrt or tomato won't help.  If the latter, it may (really, likely) will help.

it does not work fast enough for my Obi.

You have full control of the router to customize it to your needs, and can prioritize Obi.

[aygart]

In the end I ordered both and will return 1 with Shoprunner. When I got the Netgear today it came as a V2 which has the better chipset and 256 ram. Still lower than the Buffalo which has 512 RAM. How much of a difference does that make? I do think that it is a hardware issue since I am finding that things just don't load fast enough all over and it seems like the connection is overloaded even though I am not running majorly intensive items.

[notanonymous]

In the end I ordered both and will return 1 with Shoprunner. When I got the Netgear today it came as a V2 which has the better chipset and 256 ram. Still lower than the Buffalo which has 512 RAM. How much of a difference does that make? I do think that it is a hardware issue since I am finding that things just don't load fast enough all over and it seems like the connection is overloaded even though I am not running majorly intensive items.

What you described sounds more like a software issue.  Either way, a new router will obviously fix the issue.

My preference is still the Buffalo.

[aygart]

What you described sounds more like a software issue.  Either way, a new router will obviously fix the issue.

My preference is still the Buffalo.

the various different sites with speed tests and reviews all show the Netgear as being the faster one

[notanonymous]

the various different sites with speed tests and reviews all show the Netgear as being the faster one

Internet speed or LAN speed (and if LAN, wired or wireless)?

If you are referring to internet speed, both routers will be faster than your ISP provides.

If you are referring to LAN speed, you may be correct,  but depending on your usage you may not notice the difference.

[ushdadude]

Should I get an ac router or is n enough?

[DanH]

Should I get an ac router or is n enough?

Do you do heavy downloading on wifi?

[ushdadude]

Do you do heavy downloading on wifi?

Nothing crazy. No torrents or anything like that

[DanH]

Nothing crazy. No torrents or anything like that

Don't bother.  N is more then enough.

[aygart]

There are often differences besides just the world technology. Many of the newer routers have 5ghz which has a better range and less interference. They also usually have a faster chipset and better cache which can help for wired devices.

[noturbizniss]

Very helpful article http://www.connectedly.com/top-5-best-routers

[noturbizniss]

I have this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QB1RPY/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and it works perfectly well.  The most I use it for is chromecast.

[ybeeds]

Any Techies that could tell me if this is good for a fairly large one-family home, to use several devices on, and will work at a normal speed (50 down)?

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-RangeMax-WNR1000-Wireless-Router/dp/B001UI4RTG/ref=zg_bs_300189_4

Thanks!