How fast should wifi be compared to ethernet?

[smokey982]

My charter Internet speed recently jumped from 15 Mbps to 30 Mbps. And I use wifi on pretty much everything because my modem and router are in a different room than my computer. But since my increase in speed I tried testing it using various speed test websites. I've ran test on my iMac, iPhone, and iPad. And I'm getting speeds ranging from 13 mbps to 16 Mbps. I was starting to think I didn't get the increase in speed I was told. But today I took the iMac in the room next to the router and connected with Ethernet. My first run I got 32 Mbps. What gives? I've always heard you get faster speeds through Ethernet, but should it be that much different? I was expecting 5-8 Mbps slower but not half the speed?

If it matters, my modem is a Motorola Surfboard SB6120 and my router is a Linksys WRT54G (I've had it for a while). Any ideas on how I could pick up some wifi speed?

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

 

[Tampa8]

The problem is the Linksys. Great modem but dated now and new ones are faster. My Netgear gives me up to 25Mbps on Charter in Ct. I also have to reset it from time to time or I see a slowdown over time.

 

[smokey982]

So when it says "wireless data rates up to 54 Mbps", that's not necessarily the case? It's been a good one over the years. I bought it when I went from dial up to a blazing 1.5 mbps DSL. I've probably had it for over 10 years. But I wouldn't mind buying a new one if it means a drastic increase in speed. I've got an Amazon gift card burning a hole in my pocket anyway. What do I need to look for in a new router?

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

 

[John Kotches]

You're missing the magic words, "up to".

54 mbit/second is the absolute maximum possible, with real world at about half that in my experience.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk 2.x

 

[Tampa8]

Real world at about 1/2 that sounds about right.

 

[Teehar]

I wouldn't go with any router under 300mbps,and also prefer gigabit ethernet.Another thing,look for routers with good antennas,possibly dual band.

 

[navychop]

"Simultaneous" dual band if you can swing the bucks.

 

[mike123abc]

Changing the angle of the device relative to the wifi box can change the download speed. The speed quoted is at an optimum distance (i.e. right next to it) with the antennas aligned perfectly. It also assumes there are no other wifi boxes nearby to interfere with your signal.

Ethernet of course does not have that problem, but then again you have a cord...

A faster WiFi box using the latest tech will help a lot http://reviews.cnet.com/best-wireless-routers/ is a list of what CNET thinks is best.

 

[mperdue]

FWIW, I have a 50 mb fibre connection to the internet with a D-Link wireless router connected. I get the same transfer rate (48 mb/sec) on my wired and wireless connections.

 

[smokey982]

FWIW, I have a 50 mb fibre connection to the internet with a D-Link wireless router connected. I get the same transfer rate (48 mb/sec) on my wired and wireless connections.

Which D-Link model do you use?

Sent from my iPhone 5 using SatelliteGuys

 

[aaronwt6]

I use the buffalo wireless N450 router with dd-wrt firmware factory installed. I get less than a 5% difference wired vs wireless. Comcast internet with around 40Mbps down.

It can be had for under $100 and has extremely good range and coverage.

 

[aaronwt6]

Something else to note as well if you replace the router. Make sure you are using the latest encryption, WPA2. Using WEP or WPA on a newer high bandwidth router can drastically reduce speed, especially WEP.

 

[mperdue]

Which D-Link model do you use?

Sent from my iPhone 5 using SatelliteGuys

It's a DIR-645

 

[king3pj]

My charter Internet speed recently jumped from 15 Mbps to 30 Mbps. And I use wifi on pretty much everything because my modem and router are in a different room than my computer. But since my increase in speed I tried testing it using various speed test websites. I've ran test on my iMac, iPhone, and iPad. And I'm getting speeds ranging from 13 mbps to 16 Mbps. I was starting to think I didn't get the increase in speed I was told. But today I took the iMac in the room next to the router and connected with Ethernet. My first run I got 32 Mbps. What gives? I've always heard you get faster speeds through Ethernet, but should it be that much different? I was expecting 5-8 Mbps slower but not half the speed?

If it matters, my modem is a Motorola Surfboard SB6120 and my router is a Linksys WRT54G (I've had it for a while). Any ideas on how I could pick up some wifi speed?

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

I also have Charter Cable that is supposed to be 30Mb download. I use ethernet to my Xbox, PS3, Hopper, Apple TV, Gaming PC, Onkyo AVR, and Verizon Wireless Network Extender. The Verizon Network Extender is for my cell coverage not WiFi. I only use WiFi for my laptop, iPhone, iPad, bedroom Roku, Kindle, and Playstation Vita. I try to keep as much on ethernet as possible even though my WiFi is solid. I do that because I figure fewer devices connected to WiFi means less chance of slowing the WiFi down. I am using the 5th Gen Apple Airport Extreme(the dual band wireless N model). I have ethernet run to a trendnet 8 port Gigabit switch in my entertainment center that feeds most of my ethernet devices.

Anyways here is the WiFi speedtest I just took on my WiFi laptop. The Airport Extreme is in the bottom floor of my tri-level house and the laptop was on the top floor during this test. Again I am supposed to be capped at 30Mb download but consistently get better than that both on WiFi and ethernet. My WiFi speeds are usually within 2 to 3 Mb of ethernet but the ping is occasionally slightly lower. I get peaks of around 50Mb down near the beginning of the test but it settles down to the speed I am showing here by the end.

I'm sure the routers others have recommended would work just as well as they say for you but I would highly recommend the Airport Extreme as well. I get great speeds and good coverage throughout my house and yard.

 

[smokey982]

I also have Charter Cable that is supposed to be 30Mb download. I use ethernet to my Xbox, PS3, Hopper, Apple TV, Gaming PC, Onkyo AVR, and Verizon Wireless Network Extender. The Verizon Network Extender is for my cell coverage not WiFi. I only use WiFi for my laptop, iPhone, iPad, bedroom Roku, Kindle, and Playstation Vita. I try to keep as much on ethernet as possible even though my WiFi is solid. I do that because I figure fewer devices connected to WiFi means less chance of slowing the WiFi down. I am using the 5th Gen Apple Airport Extreme(the dual band wireless N model). I have ethernet run to a trendnet 8 port Gigabit switch in my entertainment center that feeds most of my ethernet devices.

Anyways here is the WiFi speedtest I just took on my WiFi laptop. The Airport Extreme is in the bottom floor of my tri-level house and the laptop was on the top floor during this test. Again I am supposed to be capped at 30Mb download but consistently get better than that both on WiFi and ethernet. My WiFi speeds are usually within 2 to 3 Mb of ethernet but the ping is occasionally slightly lower. I get peaks of around 50Mb down near the beginning of the test but it settles down to the speed I am showing here by the end.

<img src="http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=87284"/>

That looks nice.

I spent a little time online today looking at routers. OMG, I looked at so many different ones and different websites with router ratings my brain is fried. I looked at the Apple's but I'm hoping to get by a little cheaper. I know I'm probably over thinking this way too much. Because it should be a simple process. Just go to Best Buy or Amazon and buy the darn thing. But my OCD won't let me do that. I have to research and try to determine the "best for the buck". In reality I don't understand most of the specs I'm even looking at, lol.

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

 

[navychop]

"WiFi vs. Ethernet" = "wireless vs. wired."
Just bugging me.

 

[Tampa8]

Via wireless.

 

[king3pj]

That looks nice.

I spent a little time online today looking at routers. OMG, I looked at so many different ones and different websites with router ratings my brain is fried. I looked at the Apple's but I'm hoping to get by a little cheaper. I know I'm probably over thinking this way too much. Because it should be a simple process. Just go to Best Buy or Amazon and buy the darn thing. But my OCD won't let me do that. I have to research and try to determine the "best for the buck". In reality I don't understand most of the specs I'm even looking at, lol.

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

Yeah I'm sure that like most Apple products you can get a comparable competitor for less money. I had read great things about the range and quality of the Airport so I bought one even though I don't have any Apple computers. Yes it costs a lot of money but I don't see any reason I would need to upgrade it for a long time so I decided to spend a little more to make sure I have a quality device for the next several years.

I had a Netgear wireless G router that I had been using for years and wouldn't have bothered to upgrade from if it had Gigabit ethernet. Not that Netgear, Dlink, or Linksys are hard to manage but there is one more thing to consider since you seem to be using all Apple products. My iPhone and iPad have the airport utility app and your iMac has airport utility built right in to it. This means no more web interface. All of your other apple products can manage the airport settings natively and it is very easy to do.

 

[navychop]

Wired:
26+ down 22+ up

Wireless:
24+ down almost 27 up


FiOS 30/30

Other times, I get higher scores.

 

[Voyager6]

I am using the Linksys E4200 router and have great wireless speeds. The refurb is at a great price. Probably the best N router on the market is the Asus RT-N66U but it is pricey.