So I received Belkin F5D8233-4 and WRT54GLwireless routers from Newegg. I am unable to decide which router to use. If I go by reviews on AMZN, WRT54GL wins hands down but it is "g" router.
I have one PC and one laptop (Vostro 1500) with wireless g capability that will connect to wireless router.
Question: Why older tech WRT54GL is more expensive than newer tech (N) Belkin router?
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The WRT54GL is capable of using third-party firmware, which adds many features (but most users don't need those), and also is known to improve reliability. Many routers require rebooting or occasionally disconnect websites, especially if you do lots of intranet (on your own network) streaming or file transfers or use bittorrent which relies on establishing a very large number of connections. DD-WRT or Tomato on a WRT54GL have an excellent reputation for working even under heavy use. You can also turn up or down the transmit power using the third-party firmware which may make your connection better in far parts of your house.
And, even if you have very fast internet, that is only 10 Megabit/s or so, much lower than the speed of Wireless G. Only transfers on your own network would be improved by Wireless N.
Vostro 1500 uses expresscard, not PCMCIA, so the Belkin card will not fit.
If Belkin has done a good job with the F5D8233-4 router, that router may work very well. Some reviews claim that wireless N can have better range than wireless G, but that will depend on the quality of the router and cards you are using.
Actually Belkins are reviewed very highly for some reason. I have one and it connects over WiFi in about 3 seconds where it took my Linksys about 30 to connect.
drodge said:The Linksys is a much better router. If your laptop doesn't support N, then it's a no-brainer. You won't get any benefits at all by using the Belkin.
I am looking to see if I could use a N router now then I do not have to replace/upgrade it when I upgrade my laptop to N adapter or something.
I am trying to find out if Belkin router is better or at least as good as Linksys g router.
I have to sell one of the routers and both the wireless cards to make the router that I would be using free so I do not want to open the pack before making sure which one I am going to use.
jolma said:The WRT54GL is capable of using third-party firmware, which adds many features (but most users don't need those), and also is known to improve reliability. Many routers require rebooting or occasionally disconnect websites, especially if you do lots of intranet (on your own network) streaming or file transfers or use bittorrent which relies on establishing a very large number of connections. DD-WRT or Tomato on a WRT54GL have an excellent reputation for working even under heavy use. You can also turn up or down the transmit power using the third-party firmware which may make your connection better in far parts of your house.
And, even if you have very fast internet, that is only 10 Megabit/s or so, much lower than the speed of Wireless G. Only transfers on your own network would be improved by Wireless N.
Vostro 1500 uses expresscard, not PCMCIA, so the Belkin card will not fit.
If Belkin has done a good job with the F5D8233-4 router, that router may work very well. Some reviews claim that wireless N can have better range than wireless G, but that will depend on the quality of the router and cards you are using.
Thanks for the info. As long as Belkin router is stable I am okay. Range is not of much concern right now in my apt.
I have Comcast cable internet connection and wireless B router in use currently. I, for most part, do not transfer any files within my network (between PC and laptop). I am not a gamer either. Do you think when I upgrade to g/n router, will I see noticeable increase in internet surfing speed.
Even Wireless B is faster than (most) internet connections. If range is not a problem and you do not transfer many files on your own network or do heavy bittorrent, the Belkin N router is very likely to work fine. Even if you do demand more from it, it may be fine, especially if the reviews are good.
If you are getting a stable Wireless B connection already you may not see any improvement - but wireless B is fairly likely to get some interference and drop to an even lower speed than its max, in which case it would slow an internet connection.
Also, most Wireless B routers do not support WPA2. There are known security problems with WEP and WPA(1), so switching to something with WPA2 is important.
jolma said:Even Wireless B is faster than (most) internet connections. If range is not a problem and you do not transfer many files on your own network or do heavy bittorrent, the Belkin N router is very likely to work fine. Even if you do demand more from it, it may be fine, especially if the reviews are good.
If you are getting a stable Wireless B connection already you may not see any improvement - but wireless B is fairly likely to get some interference and drop to an even lower speed than its max, in which case it would slow an internet connection.
Also, most Wireless B routers do not support WPA2. There are known security problems with WEP and WPA(1), so switching to something with WPA2 is important.
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