Worth upgrading to an 'N' Router?

[Herbal]

Hi guys,

It is worth me upgrading my Sky netgear router (has been flashed) to a N router. Have seen a good deal on a Belkin N router with play.

I also already have 2 spare routers (both g) that act as extenders for my wireless as its pretty poor when you get to the back of the house.

Apart from a better signal what else does the N router do?

I would like to move files quicker between my media server and pc/laptops but i asume that is down to my network and not the router (need a gigabit)

[adam.mt]

An N router 'should' provide higher transfer speeds* and better coverage; this assumes your devices also use N wireless as well though. If you just change the router and not the wireless cards in your laptop/desktop(s) for N compatible then any difference will be negligble.

* - you're unlikely to notice the speed difference just for Internet (cause your Internet speed is likely a lot less than G offers), it'll be more transferring files and media streaming.

It does also depend on the quality of the device though (antennas etc). Some G devices I've found to actually have better coverage than N models!

You're right that for Ethernet connected devices it's a gigabit switch/router you require (provided your network ports are Gigabit of course, and your cabling isn't super cheap).

[gazhowell]

I was getting terrible signal quality using my sky router with devices like my iPhone so I added a wireless N access point to it and turned the wireless off on the sky router. I now get amazing reception all over the house with zero drop outs.

I know my iPhone is only wireless G so isn't benefitting by the N so it must be a much better antenna or something. It's a netgear wn802t and was only 39.99 refurbed from Play.

[ian turner]

I'd stay away from the linksys n routers as they seem to lack external aerials and their range suffers as a result.

[Apep]

Personally I'm waiting for the Netgear DGN3300 to come out next month - it has a good range with dual band - 2.4ghz and 5gz.

[ian turner]

Isn't there some indication that the 5ghz range has limited range compared to the 2.4 ? So while you gain on reduced interference from junk analogue wireless gadgets you lose the back of the house.
Plus while there are a limited number of 2.4 n adapters there is an even more limited range of 5ghz capable adapters.

[amkhan]

deff worth it for me... i was sick of my 1.5MB/sec 54g, have moved over to a 300mb Belkin one and with my lappy i get 10-12MB/sec so it was a perfect upgrade imho.

[Boink!]

Upgraded from original BT Home Hub to the version 2 and the whole internet connection has been far more stable, especially with wifi. Even bought an Intel 5100 wifi card for my Acer One to take advantage of the "N" wireless.