Mesh Routers and Gaming

[Mister Woof]

I recently upgraded my old router (ASUS A68U) that was having some serious deadspots in my downstairs living room for my TV and other devices.

We went with the Netgear Orbi Wifi6 AX4200 (2 point) at the recommendation of a friend. Speeds are good and the deadspot is effectively gone. We have the main router placed upstairs with the modem, and the satellite in the room with the deadspot.

 

We normally have been playing games over Wifi because of the layout of the rooms, and aren't interested in hardwiring it at this time.

 

After setting it up, it seems okay, but I did some reading afterwards and learned that mesh systems are worse for gaming and can cause a bunch of latency issues.

So far I haven't had time to game much on it (the gaming that has been done hasn't seen any issues), but it is still in my return window. Does anyone have experience with Mesh and wifi gaming, and more specifically, with the Orbi?

 

Would it make more sense to just get a "gaming router" and then some kind of repeater downstairs for the deadspot (media consumption)

 

thoughts and input appreciated

[LIGISTX]

12 minutes ago, Mister Woof said:

I recently upgraded my old router (ASUS A68U) that was having some serious deadspots in my downstairs living room for my TV and other devices.

We went with the Netgear Orbi Wifi6 AX4200 (2 point) at the recommendation of a friend. Speeds are good and the deadspot is effectively gone. We have the main router placed upstairs with the modem, and the satellite in the room with the deadspot.

 

We normally have been playing games over Wifi because of the layout of the rooms, and aren't interested in hardwiring it at this time.

 

After setting it up, it seems okay, but I did some reading afterwards and learned that mesh systems are worse for gaming and can cause a bunch of latency issues.

So far I haven't had time to game much on it (the gaming that has been done hasn't seen any issues), but it is still in my return window. Does anyone have experience with Mesh and wifi gaming, and more specifically, with the Orbi?

 

Would it make more sense to just get a "gaming router" and then some kind of repeater downstairs for the deadspot (media consumption)

 

thoughts and input appreciated

Gaming routers are just marketing BS, there is no such thing as a “gaming router”. It’s either a good router, or it’s a bad router, lol. 
 

I have had phenomenal success with google Wifi which is a mesh network. Google did a lot of work on their wireless backhaul (the mesh bits that talk back to the main router), and it’s very very low latency, nothing anyone should be concerned about. I don’t know specifics about the unit you got. But I would almost guarantee using a router + repeater would be worse.

 

Do a simple speed test and see what your latency is, I’m sure it’s fine. 

[Mister Woof]

6 minutes ago, LIGISTX said:

Gaming routers are just marketing BS, there is no such thing as a “gaming router”. It’s either a good router, or it’s a bad router, lol. 
 

I have had phenomenal success with google Wifi which is a mesh network. Google did a lot of work on their wireless backhaul (the mesh bits that talk back to the main router), and it’s very very lot latency, nothing anyone should be concerned about. I don’t know specifics about the unit you got. But I would almost guarantee using a router + repeater would be worse.

 

Do a simple speed test and see what your latency is, I’m sure it’s fine. 

Yep agree hence the "gaming router"

 

gaming latency seems consistent from prior router, but i haven't had time to deep delve into it. I have time to return it, but just wanted to get it all sorted out sooner rather than later.

 

The mesh is overkill for my house, as it's supposed to be good enough for 5000sf (i am at around 1700sf) but it is just that one deadspot.

 

There is only one router and 1 satellite, so i presume that should cut down on some of the inherent repeating going on than if there were say, 3 or 4.

[Dedayog]

44 minutes ago, Mister Woof said:

I recently upgraded my old router (ASUS A68U) that was having some serious deadspots in my downstairs living room for my TV and other devices.

We went with the Netgear Orbi Wifi6 AX4200 (2 point) at the recommendation of a friend. Speeds are good and the deadspot is effectively gone. We have the main router placed upstairs with the modem, and the satellite in the room with the deadspot.

 

We normally have been playing games over Wifi because of the layout of the rooms, and aren't interested in hardwiring it at this time.

 

After setting it up, it seems okay, but I did some reading afterwards and learned that mesh systems are worse for gaming and can cause a bunch of latency issues.

So far I haven't had time to game much on it (the gaming that has been done hasn't seen any issues), but it is still in my return window. Does anyone have experience with Mesh and wifi gaming, and more specifically, with the Orbi?

 

Would it make more sense to just get a "gaming router" and then some kind of repeater downstairs for the deadspot (media consumption)

 

thoughts and input appreciated

I use the Amplifi HD for my house and have no issues gaming, ping is acceptable as compared to other routers I have had.  

 

Doubt a gaming router will be much better.

 

If it's that big a deal, run an ethernet cable to the PC you care about.  

[Mister Woof]

Just now, Dedayog said:

I use the Amplifi HD for my house and have no issues gaming, ping is acceptable as compared to other routers I have had.  

 

Doubt a gaming router will be much better.

 

If it's that big a deal, run an ethernet cable to the PC you care about.  

I don't really - just wanted to get some input from people actually using it if they had problems.

 

Nobody plays competitive gaming (well except my kids, but whatever they can buy their own house).

 

Rather have okay gaming and great coverage.

[Falcon1986]

37 minutes ago, Mister Woof said:

I don't really - just wanted to get some input from people actually using it if they had problems.

You're going to get more useful information if you test it yourself under your conditions.

 

Unlike totally wired solutions, WiFi experience can vary more depending on interference and the unique layout of your living space. If, for example, I get average performance in my smaller home with all-concrete walls, that performance might improve in a house with no internal concrete walls and an open layout. Yet my opinion would be that it's no better than my old setup. But you have the opportunity to run tests yourself since it's already set up in your home.

[Mister Woof]

3 minutes ago, Falcon1986 said:

You're going to get more useful information if you test it yourself under your conditions.

 

Unlike totally wired solutions, WiFi experience can vary more depending on interference and the unique layout of your living space. If, for example, I get average performance in my smaller home with all-concrete walls, that performance might improve in a house with no internal concrete walls and an open layout. Yet my opinion would be that it's no better than my old setup. But you have the opportunity to run tests yourself since it's already set up in your home.

Well since the starting point was always wireless, and the location of the main router is the same, it is probably not going to be noticeable at all. Doesn't seem so.

Was hoping to see if anyone switched from your conventional wifi router to a mesh system and had any feedback.