This is the adapter I bought recently: http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F9L1002/

It claims to be able to handle 300 mbps, which obviously is far more than my ISP provides. But when I browse the internet through this adapter, the actual bandwidth I got was much worse than when I tried plugging my computer directly into the router with an ethernet cable.

Is it possible that I just got a crappy adapter because I didn't know what to look for? Or does the bad performance have to be caused by something else, like the adapter being too far away from the signal source? or maybe the router just gives off a shitty wireless signal because it's old?

This post was edited by kayeto on Sep 19 2016 02:44pm

Ethernet cable will always be a faster, better choice.

For wireless....it could be the adapter, the location or the router.

what criteria could i be looking at to make sure i buy the best adapter?

i have more control over that than the location/router

300 is a theoretical maximum throughput under ideal conditions. It also uses wireless N which means that for this to work your router needs to be wireless N capable as well. Your router also needs to have multiple antennae and both the adapter and router need to be configured to run on 40 Mhz channel width . A speedtest online over wireless will never yield 300 Mbps, but you may still be achieving a local transmission rate wirelessly over what your ISP provides. Wireless is never really easy and it has a lot of factors.

Read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11n-2009

Unfortunately for peak efficiency out of the box is never really possible. A great deal of fine tuning and configuration is needed to make this work properly and a great many factors are involved.

I get that



Ok, so let's not worry about peak efficiency. I just want basic functionality.

When I us this adapter, the bandwidth I get is garbage. It's unlivable. But I know the internet service is not that bad. Is there anything I can look for in a different adapter that may yield better results?

What router do you have? It's probably not an issue with the adapter.

I found upgrading my cat5e to cat6 from modem to wireless router allowed for better range within my home with wifi, (using Linksys). Though I ran cat 6 through-out my home for best options, it did wow me I was able to hit 450mbs with my wireless and 1gig plugged in. Before it was 100mbs plugged in and 75mbs wireless. Just make sure your router you purchase has the best Ghz mine has 5GHZ with Charter internet at 65mb. Cat6 truly allows for packets to be sent and received at a higher rate causing better ratios then cat5e. I recommend doing this small switch first before spending a ton on a router, just a simple cable switch out could be all you need!

Cat6 isn't going to magically make your WIFI range better. Cat5e Is more than capable of performing at 1+gbps.


Yes, Cat6 is faster (duh) But we're talking speeds absolutely no residential place could use, Let alone need.

This

Okay so telling him to spend a ton first before switching a cable to a stronger feed of data. It makes a huge difference have you personally tested this? I run cables plenty and have tested the cat5 and cat 6. Before changing a home system start with cables, then modem, then router, modems go, it and will cause the most issues

Cat6 is the cheapest upgrade that's noticeable. I wouldn't spend a mad amount on something like a router, when honestly a cable switch will give a better range of unbroken packets

Not to mention he bought and paid for a wireless adapter. Which he still is having issues with. So by doing the cable first and testing he's out what 10bucks, your all telling him to go drop 80-300 before his issue gets better like no spend 10 bucks test the cat6 to see if your speeds are better if not call your isp get a modem replacement, run another test. Everyone here is spend spend spend rather then let's be logical and use theories to solve the issue not make people spend money unless needed

This post was edited by VFW on Sep 27 2016 06:46am