Gaming Router Recommendations - Wi-Fi Not Important!

Cheaplikethebird on 19/01/2021 - 12:52
Last edited 19/01/2021 - 13:12 by 1 other user

Chasing router recommendations as I'm booked in for my NBN install on an FTTC connection at the end of the month and the only routers I have on hand are a Telstra gateway box and an old Billion BiPac 7800NXL.

Pretty much every device bar phones in our small sized house are ethernet connected so Wi-Fi performance is not a major concern. We are a two gamer household though so I'm more concerned with a router that can manage those connections well. In the past I've spent hours trying to troubleshoot NAT type issues for our PS4 consoles, I'm hoping that picking up a premium gaming focused router will eliminate those issues but I don't want to pay a premium for 20 antennas that I don't need.

Computing Wireless Router

Comments

  • Ryanek on 19/01/2021 - 12:58
    +2

    What is your budget? I always recommend Ubiquiti, they are solid.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 19/01/2021 - 13:04

      I would like to spend $100-200 but I would stretch to ~$400 if it meant it would solve my PS4 issues and was good value/futureproofing.

  • Twix on 19/01/2021 - 13:04

    Did you figure out the NAT problems? Who is your ISP?

    • Cheaplikethebird on 19/01/2021 - 13:05

      Nah I didnt. I'm on Telstra cable currently but moving to AussieBroadband for NBN.

      • Twix on 19/01/2021 - 13:18
        +3

        You don't need a gaming branded router. TP-Link Archer AX20 $180, ASUS RT-AX3000 $329 & ASUS RT-AX86U is under $400 when deals are on.

        Tip: Tell Aussie BB to turn off CG-NAT

        • Cheaplikethebird on 19/01/2021 - 13:20
          +1

          Yeah that was what I was thinking. Thanks heaps for the tip!

        • fenric on 19/01/2021 - 16:09
          +4

          Second this. Gaming routers are pretty much just marketing. The .002% better latency/performance is not going to change your K/D ratio.
          If you were a pro and you made money from it, then maybe its another story, but the rest of us mortals wont notice the difference.

          • Twix on 19/01/2021 - 16:36

            @fenric: Yeah your right. Even then it's going to come down to your ISPs peering, backhaul and type of connection.

  • demomanca on 19/01/2021 - 13:12
    +5

    It's a stretch for your budget, but I've had a great experience with the Unifi Dream Machine (non pro). Setup the Smart queues on there, and I've had 4 people gaming online at the same time, no issues (2 streaming as well!) on a 100/40 Aussie Broadband connections. The Smart queues stop anyone downloading or uploading trashing your pings. I can pull down a steam game at near full speed, and the others playing don't notice ping spikes at all.

    I also had good luck with their smaller Edgerouter-X, however it's not wifi, so you need to buy a wifi access point for it as well, but it's also excellent (and much cheaper)

    Setup howto here:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-g2P3R84dw

    (quick edit)
    Just reread your post RE NAT issues. I have uPNP turned on (both on my UDM and when I had my Edgerouter) and never had any issues RE NAT, however I'm an xbox house, not PS, so can't comment on that specifically.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 19/01/2021 - 16:40

      Cheers mate. Had a watch of that video and edgerouter+WAP seems like the best solution for me.

  • spackbace on 19/01/2021 - 13:14
    +3

    Have a look through the Whirlpool guide on gigabit capable modems/routers and pick your flavour.

    If they can handle gigabit nbn, they can handle your needs

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/01/2021 - 14:24
    +2

    Ubiquiti EdgeRouter. Any of them.

    Pro-sumer. They are solid as a rock. I run 2x ERLite-3.

    • Twix on 19/01/2021 - 16:25
      +1

      Paired with the new Unifi 6 Lite AP would be sweet.

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 19/01/2021 - 20:05
        +1

        Yeah the new 6 Lite is a beast.

        Still very happy with my AC Lites. Never dropped out (other than power outages) for nearly 2 years now.

  • bazingaa on 19/01/2021 - 17:06
    +1

    Used Cisco router from a e-waste place.

  • AustriaBargain on 19/01/2021 - 18:47

    Any chance you'll need to be seed hundreds or over a thousand torrents 24/7?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join