Not at all.
Even if you don't use all the features you'll benefit from some without any tinkering.

There are three major firmwares out there, openwrt, ddwrt, and tomato. I personally use openwrt.



There are bound to be features that a normal person may use. Such as quality of service restrictions that actually work, vlans, vpn configurations, ddns, and other things. Custom firmwares are also generally more secure than stock firmwares.

ok thanks guys. so is it pretty basic to install the firmware? cause honestly i dont think i would do any tinkering with it?

also im curious whats the difference between that linksys router and these?

this one is 30 bucks
D-Link DIR-813 AC750 Wi-Fi Router


and this one is 25 bucks

TP-LINK N450 Wireless Wi-Fi Router, Up to 450Mbps (TL-WR940N) - V3


it looks like the wireless N router claims to have 5x the range as the wireless G router? and the linksys router is G?

This post was edited by noob_whacker on Jul 5 2016 10:51pm

Flashing firmware is easy.

Can go with any linksys tbh so long as its listed as compatible on the dd-wrt site. Thats just the most known budget one.
I still have 2 in my house kicking around for peeps,

This explains the ratings of B G etc
http://homenetworkadmin.com/wireless-b-vs-g-vs-n-vs-ac-difference/

It has nothing to do with range but more about handling traffic and bandwidth.

ok thanks. it looks like N or AC are best to get. that article says that N has a better range than G. and that AC has a better than than N. so AC has the best range. but wondering if getting AC might be too soon? unless AC routers can still send 2.4 ghz. the article made it seem like AC routers only use 5ghz. id assume they can also use 2.4 ghz.

im thinking of one of these 2 then: (but its just a quick search for them, and not entirely sure if they are better than the linksys you suggested. sorry just trying to keep my options open and learn about them a bit)

$25 TP-LINK N450
https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Wireless-Router-450Mbps-TL-WR940N/dp/B003Y5RYNY/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1467780059&sr=1-6&keywords=wireless+router&refinements=p_36%3A-5000

or

$30 D-Link DIR-813 AC750 Wi-Fi Router
https://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DIR-813-AC750-Wi-Fi-Router/dp/B00PVDT5LG/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1467780059&sr=1-16&keywords=wireless+router&refinements=p_36%3A-5000


not sure. too many choices and options

While N provides addition range its kinda pointless since its less then 200ft.
G should support 170 ft indoors and that should suffice.

I'd stick with an N or G and yes AC is only 5ghz.
Hard to say if you need a N for sure but it does offer more channels and extra leeway on signal distance.
I cant recall but I think theres a few security improvements with N as well but unless me of ducky is your neighbor ur fine.

Just get any one in budget thats N or G that supports dd-wrt or freewrt.

Why you need router/modem, if you have negative internet speed?

ok thanks im really considering the $25 TP-LINK N450

for $25 its within budget and its N. seems good, although i dont think it supports the dd-wrt firmware. ill look around for another cheap one that supports that firmware.

but it also seems theres quite a few bad reviews on amazon for this router. around 1 bad review for every 10 to 15 good reviews. and 75% of the bad reviews had a comment from the manufacturer saying to contact their support team. so it seems like they are more than willing to assist with any issues, which seems good.



lol yea well long story. i was at another place for around 48 hours. realized it was infested with roaches and i had to return the rented modem/router from comcast. was only going to be there for 1 month anyway.

and since the roaches, i left. fk that shit lol.... so im back at a family members house and helping them out with getting better internet. instead of shitty 2 mbps ATT. they are soon going to be getting 25 mbps with comcast.

This post was edited by noob_whacker on Jul 5 2016 11:28pm

linksys is a solid company for support.

Here's the support device list for dd-wrt
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices

wow thats alot of them lol

thanks

wish it was able to be sorted by price of router.... lol