Third Party Internet Routers

[MattCz]

The internet in my house is ok, usually between 1-2mbps. But whenever someone else in the house does something like steam video, I can barely get half a mb, making it impossible to play games like Counter Strike with my 500 ping. However, on the YouTube channel Unbox Therapy, there's a video where the third party router used increased his wireless speed from around 5mbps to over 100. I'm currently using the one that came with the internet from AT&T and want to know if getting a new router like the one in the video could help to increase my wifi speed. I know that wired internet is the way to go for internet speed, but the room my computer is in is upstairs and away from any ethernet ports, although I would love one.

 

[2FA]

How much bandwidth do you pay for? If it really low like 3Mbps then you won't get a better connection simply by buying a new router.

[gtx1060=value]

1 minute ago, MattCz said:

The internet in my house is ok, usually between 1-2mbps. But whenever someone else in the house does something like steam video, I can barely get half a mb, making it impossible to play games like Counter Strike with my 500 ping. However, on the YouTube channel Unbox Therapy, there's a video where the third party router used increased his wireless speed from around 5mbps to over 100. I'm currently using the one that came with the internet from AT&T and want to know if getting a new router like the one in the video could help to increase my wifi speed. I know that wired internet is the way to go for internet speed, but the room my computer is in is upstairs and away from any ethernet ports, although I would love one.

 

you realize that 1-2 megabits per second is the equivalent of less than a quarter of a megabyte??? Send me a link of what plan you're on for at&t. 3rd party routers make the transfer speed between the router, your computer, and the internet faster, (more expensive the router, faster the transfer speed) but, it does not make your actual internet speed faster. It only speeds up transfer speeds between your router and computer. I recommend getting a gigabit power line kit. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833181534

[MattCz]

1 minute ago, DeadEyePsycho said:

How much bandwidth do you pay for? If it really low like 3Mbps then you won't get a better connection simply by buying a new router.

I believe its 6mbps. I know I wont be getting over 100, but a small boost would be appreciated

[gtx1060=value]

1 minute ago, MattCz said:

I believe its 6mbps. I know I wont be getting over 100, but a small boost would be appreciated

6 megabytes per second or 6 megabits??? There's a huge difference (a factor of 8)

[MattCz]

1 minute ago, gtx1060=value said:

6 megabytes per second or 6 megabits??? There's a huge difference (a factor of 8)

Megabytes, I would assume. It says up to 6 mbps on the AT&T website, and my download speed on steam is normally 1-2 megabytes per second, as in 1000 per gigabyte

[gtx1060=value]

Just now, MattCz said:

Megabytes, I would assume. It says up to 6 mbps on the AT&T website, and my download speed on steam is normally 1-2 megabytes per second, as in 1000 per gigabyte

is the b capitalized or lowercase, if it's capitalized it's megabytes, lower case is megabits

[iamMINT]

Just now, MattCz said:

Megabytes, I would assume. It says up to 6 mbps on the AT&T website, and my download speed on steam is normally 1-2 megabytes per second, as in 1000 per gigabyte

Well- what modem and/or router are you using? If you're paying for more than what you're getting than you must have some 1/10 link or something crazy slow like that. 

[2FA]

6 minutes ago, MattCz said:

Megabytes, I would assume. It says up to 6 mbps on the AT&T website, and my download speed on steam is normally 1-2 megabytes per second, as in 1000 per gigabyte

 

5 minutes ago, gtx1060=value said:

is the b capitalized or lowercase, if it's capitalized it's megabytes, lower case is megabits

ISPs advertise in Megabits. A better router might help a bit, you preferably want one with more antennas. I personally have 5 megabits at home and I don't get lag except when someone is streaming a show. Then I have like 200 ping. Pretty much any HD video will suck up most of your bandwidth though so there is no way around that.

[MattCz]

12 minutes ago, gtx1060=value said:

is the b capitalized or lowercase, if it's capitalized it's megabytes, lower case is megabits

It's lowercase. And our current internet plan is 18 mbps, but we might up it to 45 mbps.

 

I took a speed test and got 11.83 mbps download speed and 1.41 mbps upload speed on my laptop. I've always related my mbps to how much data was downloaded on steam.

[MattCz]

Just now, MattCz said:

It's lowercase. And our current internet plan is 18 mbps, but we might up it to 45 mbps.

 

I took a speed test and got 11.83 mbps download speed and 1.41 mbps upload speed on my laptop. I've always related my mbps to how much data was downloaded on steam.

The 12 mbps drops down to 10 mbps on my desktop though

[iamMINT]

26 minutes ago, MattCz said:

The 12 mbps drops down to 10 mbps on my desktop though

Is your desktop wireless or connected through ethernet? Also- upgrading will really help if you're living with a bunch of people. 11mpbs is okay but 45mbps is quite a bit better as long as you get a router that can process that kind of speed. 

[Linx105]

Edit* I need to learn how to read the whole chat before commenting. Did not see you say that your current plan was 18mbps. Feel free to ignore what i said below. 

 

What kind of transport is your ISP using to provide you service? Based off the speed you are paying for 6mbps you are on an ADSL connection. The throughput of your connection is based off of the distance of the ADSL loop your telco is providing you. So although you are paying for a 6mbps connection you are far enough away that you are only seeing 3mbps. Contact your ISP and ask if they can upgrade your service to VDSL or if you are already using VDSL see if they can bond it ( adding another line), however expect to see a similar difference in your actual throughput. You are paying for 15mbs expect to see 7-8mbs at the very least ( didn't do any math just guessing). Also internet speeds are measured in Megabits and file transfer speeds within an OS are measured in Megabytes.

Edited September 11, 2016 by Linx105
Jumping the gun and not reading the full thread