802.11g or 802.11n?

Okay, the 802.11b PCI card in my PC just doesn't have the range to work in my house from my bedroom. It connects sometimes, but most of the time it just can't find my router.

Now, I know I need a new card, but my question is: Would an 802.11n card provide greater range than an 802.11g card even with a 802.11g router?

 

isnt the range usually dictated by the router rather than the card?

 

Card and router both make a big difference.

If you're having signal problems, I can highly recommend grabbing a higher-gain aerial. Easily found on eBay.

 

Krikkit is right

if your router is G so no matter if you use a N Card it will down it self to G. The router must be higher or same the Card.

That what I know. I'm wrong or right?

 

You are right CK - if you use an N card with a G router it'll just use the fastest available, i.e. G.

You could upgrade your whole network, but all the devices will have to be N-compatible, and it'll interrupt any G-networks in the area as well.

Your best bet (imho) is just to grab a couple of aerials, one for your router and one for your network card (assuming they've both got an upgradeable aerial).

 

A wireless N router is worth the money as it's backwards compatible, and has plenty of power and range. I purchased a wireless N router (this is mine http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...nksys/Common/VisitorWrapper&lid=6154239789B02) and it works great. I have my ps3, wii and a laptop on wireless, and 3 desktops on wired. No problems with it. My ps3 and wii are in my basement (3 floors down) and i still get a solid connection without any real problems. Well worth the money in my opinion.

 

I think I'll get a g card with a couple of new aerials then.. My laptop's built in g works fine from my bedroom, so I don't think I really need n atm, especially since I don't have the money to upgrade to n.. plus I'd rather wait until the whole standard has been finalised before I upgrade the entire network. It's also my dad's network, but if it was to be upgraded, I'd be the one doing it. Don't think he really wants to shell out £70+ for a new router right now though.

Thanks for the advice, guys!

 

No worries.

I can never decide why laptops have such massively better network reception than desktop wireless setups.

Is it the size of their aerials? (Often routed around the screen casing) Is it that they're allowed higher-gain setups as standard? Is it simple interferance from a normal desktop that kills it stone-dead?

 

I think the biggest problem with desktop PC wireless is the antenna positioning, just think about it generally your PC is a big metal box with the antenna on the back (which is never a good start) and then it's placesd on th efloor under a desk (often with you sat in front of it) which goes to compond the problem.

If possible get a directional antenna on a fly lead so you can move it to better location, like on or above your desk.

 

I had that issue. I've got a wireless g router and my pc upstairs gets 2 to 3 out of 5 bars signal, thats WITH an extended arial, that was around £20 from ebuyer. Definetly improved the signal, thats fure sure. But as far as my ping in CSS goes, I had 80ping with wireless, and 20 to 35 wired. I just went along and bought a 30 metre Cat5e belkin network cable (13 pounds off ebuyer w00t), and I'm as happy as a pig in muck. Can't say the same for my ma who sees the grey cable, but hey, least I can't blame my ping when I'm playing bad

 

Alas, an ethernet cable from my room to the router would invariably need to be at least 10 metres.

 

The other problem is that without routing them through floors and ceilings, or under carpet, it always looks awful when you have Cat5 snaking about.

 

Tru dat.

 

LOL Mine goes slap bang up the stairs nevermind routing under carpets hehe.

 

Given that the EEE that i will be getting has N, and the router is a N, is the N signal stronger than the G signal?

Itll need to pass through the entire house.

 

N is stronger, I can't say how much as I have G. Check out some reviews I guess.

 

And I'll bet it looks horribly scruffy!

 

Looks Pro

 

Considerably stronger. I get 3-4 (of 4) bars of signal in my room with N, whereas I was lucky to be able to pick up a connection for more than a minute with G. Even G-only devices seem to have a better time picking up the signal (Apple routers, which is my N router, are b/g/n) at a distance, as I'm pretty sure all of the bands have stronger signal output in the thing.

FWIW, the router is at the basement and my room is on the second floor at the other side of the house - so signal is passing through two floors, being hit with interference from all sorts of heating/AC ducts, and even all of the crap on top of the cabinet in which it sits.

 

I'm with Firehed on this, N is deffo the best way to go. The signal is stronger and travels much further.