Best Wireless Router for ESO?

Cuwen · April 2018

I'm having to buy a new wireless router because my Linksys Cisco 1200 is a couple of years old and sucks. What wireless routers would you all recommend for playing ESO, one that can handle heavy MMORPG between two players on the same network?

Cuwen · April 2018

Also, how do the Linksys routers constantly get the best reviews on cnet? I swear they've got to be paying cnet off, which makes me not trust cnet's reviews anymore. I've had problems with mine, my parents had one that gave them nothing but fits (different model than mine).

anadandy · April 2018

Netgear Nighthawk router. Our household always has at least two people gaming online, plus assorted other background wireless functions like phones/tablets/Netflix - and it's good.

Cuwen · April 2018

anadandy wrote: »

Netgear Nighthawk router. Our household always has at least two people gaming online, plus assorted other background wireless functions like phones/tablets/Netflix - and it's good.

I've read that that one is the best, too, but apparently there's this v2 problem popping up with it now. V1 is apparently great, but Netgear has started swapping out the inner parts for cheaper ones. The only outward difference is a small v2 near the model number. Are you able to see if yours is v1 or v2?

XiDiabolismiX · April 2018

I agree with the Netgear Nighthawk series, that’s the one I just bought, forgot which model but it works awesome.

Cuwen · April 2018

Wait, do you mean 6700 or the 7000?

Cuwen · April 2018

I go onto Amazon, and only the 7000 pops up, but a lot of the customer reviews say that they got a version 2. Now I think they're referring to 6700 v2, not 7000 v2, because I don't think there is a v2 of the 7000, yet, but I'm not sure. Would any of you be able to check your model numbers, please??? It'd be very helpful!!

Blackleopardex · April 2018

Nestor · April 2018

Quite Frankly, Wireless and Gaming are two things that should not go together.

This is the AP I use in my home, for all other purposes besides gaming

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Parental-Controls-Compatible/dp/B00F0DD0I6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524251734&sr=8-1&keywords=netgear+r7000

Cuwen · April 2018

Thank you both so much!!! The picture is great and the link is awesome. confirms the one you use is r7000. I have to use wireless because both my friend and I play at the same time on the same network. My modem only has 1 Ethernet port.

What do the potatoes do?

Cuwen · April 2018

Nestor wrote: »

Quite Frankly, Wireless and Gaming are two things that should not go together.

This is the AP I use in my home, for all other purposes besides gaming

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Parental-Controls-Compatible/dp/B00F0DD0I6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524251734&sr=8-1&keywords=netgear+r7000

Does 1900 work well for you? I don't know which capacity to get. I have a long house, but where I usually like to game isn't terribly far from the router. But 1200 doesn't seem to be the best capacity, so I need larger. Just don't know how large.

Nestor · April 2018

Here's the thing. Once the bandwidth of the router is more than the bandwidth of your ISP, then you are good to go. The lowest bandwidth of this one is 600Mb, I have yet to see an ISP provide that much to a consumer outside of a few select European and Asian countries. And I am not sure if those Gig circuits are EPON (shared) or dedicated to that speed. Anyway, this router is more than a match for any consumer ISP bandwidth.

I can't frankly discern any reason to go with a larger bandwidth unit than this. Also, it has high power so it can effectively kick people off the same channel so you get less interference. I am sure the more expensive units offer the same radio power, so you would be just paying for more bandwidth than you can't use.

Here is how you choose the best channel for a Wireless AP at your house

https://www.howtogeek.com/197268/how-to-find-the-best-wi-fi-channel-for-your-router-on-any-operating-system/

Nestor · April 2018

Cuwen wrote: »

Thank you both so much!!! The picture is great and the link is awesome. confirms the one you use is r7000. I have to use wireless because both my friend and I play at the same time on the same network. My modem only has 1 Ethernet port.

Just so you know, the back of the Netgear has Ethernet ports on it, so you can connect up to 5 devices with wired cables.

Cuwen · April 2018

Thank you SO MUCH, Nestor!!! You've helped so much. I think my internet is 100 MB. Have to check when I get back. And the fact that it has 5 (!) ethernet ports is a big reason to get it. Thank you for your help!!

Colecovision · April 2018

Nestor wrote: »

Quite Frankly, Wireless and Gaming are two things that should not go together.

This is the AP I use in my home, for all other purposes besides gaming

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Parental-Controls-Compatible/dp/B00F0DD0I6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524251734&sr=8-1&keywords=netgear+r7000

Nestor nailed it. I went under the house and ran a cable. If that’s not your situation, I’m sorry. I had the nighthawk and it didn’t get the job done. The tool to make cables is like $45, and it’s really not that hard. You follow the directions on the package and you don’t even strip wires.

The game is better. Netflix is better. Try and figure out a way if you can.

AlienatedGoat · April 2018

If you can't run direct ethernet, you're better off with a powerline adapter for gaming. Wifi is dead last for gaming.

Cuwen · April 2018

I'm really glad I asked! Cable making for Ethernet cords? Powerline adapter. Lots of options to look up!! I'm seriously wanting to do Ethernet now. However, does the Ethernet have to connect to the modem or can it connect to the router? My modem only has 1 Ethernet port but Nestor said the Nighthawk router has 5 ports. So is running from the router ok?

ookami007 · April 2018

Nighthawk, hands down.

rfennell_ESO · April 2018

Cuwen wrote: »

I'm really glad I asked! Cable making for Ethernet cords? Powerline adapter. Lots of options to look up!! I'm seriously wanting to do Ethernet now. However, does the Ethernet have to connect to the modem or can it connect to the router? My modem only has 1 Ethernet port but Nestor said the Nighthawk router has 5 ports. So is running from the router ok?

Just about any wifi router of quality has ethernet ports on top of wifi.

If it's possible it's better to direct connect via ethernet cables. I guess the thing to keep in mind is that most Cat X cable is rated for up to 100 meters. So... unless you live in a sprawling mansion estate you are in range of direct connecting to the router.

Elf_Boy · April 2018

Nestor wrote: »

Here's the thing. Once the bandwidth of the router is more than the bandwidth of your ISP, then you are good to go. The lowest bandwidth of this one is 600Mb, I have yet to see an ISP provide that much to a consumer outside of a few select European and Asian countries. And I am not sure if those Gig circuits are EPON (shared) or dedicated to that speed. Anyway, this router is more than a match for any consumer ISP bandwidth.

I can't frankly discern any reason to go with a larger bandwidth unit than this. Also, it has high power so it can effectively kick people off the same channel so you get less interference. I am sure the more expensive units offer the same radio power, so you would be just paying for more bandwidth than you can't use.

Here is how you choose the best channel for a Wireless AP at your house

https://www.howtogeek.com/197268/how-to-find-the-best-wi-fi-channel-for-your-router-on-any-operating-system/

File transfers between computers for one.

Win 10 for example has the ability to download updates to one computer and then share it throughout your local network.

Higher speed tends to support lower latency to the router which is still important.

Printer sharing and many more.

I agree with the above comments that wireless is not perfect for gaming. Any AC router of average quality or better will be of at least acceptable performance -depending on the local environment. The exact same router can perform very differently in two separate homes.

Buffalo makes some decent routers, so do other vendors as well.

Some of the newer routers have ofdm and other tricks that can help in many but not all locations.

klowdy1 · April 2018

Gotta replace that linkskees rooter.

SHADOW2KK · April 2018

Wired connection anyday

Knowledge · April 2018

Thou shalt not game wirelessly.
Thou shalt not use laptops to game.

DoctorESO · April 2018

Nestor · April 2018

Elf_Boy wrote: »

File transfers between computers for one.

Win 10 for example has the ability to download updates to one computer and then share it throughout your local network.

Higher speed tends to support lower latency to the router which is still important.

Printer sharing and many more.

What you say is true in Theory, however the reality is, Windows to Windows file transfer speeds are never going to be more than 200 Mb/s. And, that is if you tweak it. Your typically looking at 50 Mb/s, and in some cases, it can be as low at 2 Mb/s. Note, if it's 2 Mb, then do some tweaking for your own sanity. Most Windows Updates are less than 100Mb in size, and even if they are not, your talking about a minute or two at the typical 50Mb/s rate. Unless you have a print server, even the slowest network connections are going to be faster than the printing process.

Latency issues are not always tied to speed, but can be. Packet loss is a more common cause, which Wireless is more susceptible to having as a problem. However, on the LAN side, even with 10Mb/s connections, Latency is not an issue.

So, anything above the AC1200 Netgear is just bragging for bragging sake. However, I think you need to go the AC1900 to get the higher power radios, which is a benefit in effectively removing your neighbors from your channel.

Aisle9 · April 2018

My ISP changed my plan, said I would need to use the router they gave me or the landline wouldn't work

I told them it was ok, I didn't really need the landline

Nestor · April 2018

I don't know if the extra antennas are a marketing thing, or really do help wifi. It would make sense if the extra antennas helped, but I guess it all depends on how they run them.

They look cool though.