Solved What are the proper methods for testing competing router firmwares?

RoloDman

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I am about to enter a new world of router firmwares after I found out that the the Netgear firmware may not be the best I can do. I have heard of DD-WRT and Gargoyle as firmware developers and they both have versions which support my router. So my question is:

How should I go about testing each firmware to see one is better than the other?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz (lower watta...4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR 2 @ 398MHz (5-5-5-18)512MB GeForce 9600M GT
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sager NP2096
OS
7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz (lower wattage chip)
Motherboard
JHL 90 (U2E1)
Memory
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR 2 @ 398MHz (5-5-5-18)
Graphics Card(s)
512MB GeForce 9600M GT
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
Hitachi 244GB @ 7200rpm (IDE)
Cooling
nature
Keyboard
generic
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500
Internet Speed
30 megabits down, 5 megabits up
Other Info
1.)Staples 4-Port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub
2.)WNDR3700 - NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router
3.)Logitech Webcam C250
4.)Logitech M570

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Windows 7 Home Premium 64bitIntel Core i3-32408GB DDR3 SDRAMEVGA GeForce GT 620
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell Inspiron 660
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel Core i3-3240
Motherboard
Dell 084J0R
Memory
8GB DDR3 SDRAM
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce GT 620
Sound Card
Intel Panther Point PCH High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer G205HV
Screen Resolution
1600 x 900
Hard Drives
Sandisk SSD 64GB SDSSDP064G
Seagate HDD 1TB ST1000DM003-1CH162
PSU
Dell 300W
Case
Dell Inspiron
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless K320/B350
Mouse
Microsoft
Internet Speed
25Mbps/4Mbps
Antivirus
Avast
Browser
Mozilla Firefox
Thanks for the link but I know my router is supported already. I was just wondering if people could recommend some tests I could run after each firmware is installed :)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz (lower watta...4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR 2 @ 398MHz (5-5-5-18)512MB GeForce 9600M GT
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sager NP2096
OS
7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz (lower wattage chip)
Motherboard
JHL 90 (U2E1)
Memory
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR 2 @ 398MHz (5-5-5-18)
Graphics Card(s)
512MB GeForce 9600M GT
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
Hitachi 244GB @ 7200rpm (IDE)
Cooling
nature
Keyboard
generic
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500
Internet Speed
30 megabits down, 5 megabits up
Other Info
1.)Staples 4-Port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub
2.)WNDR3700 - NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router
3.)Logitech Webcam C250
4.)Logitech M570

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Home Premium 64bitIntel(R)Core(TM)2 quad [email protected] 2.39GHz6GB DDR2 6400GeForce 8500/512MB
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP M9077c
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
CPU
Intel(R)Core(TM)2 quad [email protected] 2.39GHz
Motherboard
ASUSeK
Memory
6GB DDR2 6400
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce 8500/512MB
Sound Card
Realtek High Def Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP w2408 LCD 24" widescreen
Screen Resolution
1920x1200
Cooling
6 pack of Bud
Keyboard
MS wireless Inteli
Mouse
MS wireless Inteli

My Computer My Computer

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Win 7 Pro 64-bitIntel i5 2.4 Ghz8GB DDR3Intel HD 3000
Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sony Vaio VPCEB47GM Laptop
OS
Win 7 Pro 64-bit
CPU
Intel i5 2.4 Ghz
Memory
8GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD 3000
Sound Card
IDT High Definition
Monitor(s) Displays
15.6 WGXA Anti-Glare LED
Screen Resolution
1280x800
Hard Drives
640Gb 7200rpm
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Opera (primary) with IE9 backup
Assuming there is a reason for you to consider after-market firmware, that would be your test measurement to compare.

If you are considering an aftermarket firmware to add features, then I would just run a speedtest.net run before and then after the switch to make sure your throughput wasn't hurt.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1Intel Core i7-260012 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333Nvidia GTX 470
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7-2600
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3P-B3
Memory
12 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 470
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp 2209WA
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility3 240 GB, WD5001AALS, WD7501AALS
PSU
OCZ ModStream 700W
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 912 Advanced
Cooling
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
thanks to everyone :)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz (lower watta...4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR 2 @ 398MHz (5-5-5-18)512MB GeForce 9600M GT
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sager NP2096
OS
7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz (lower wattage chip)
Motherboard
JHL 90 (U2E1)
Memory
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR 2 @ 398MHz (5-5-5-18)
Graphics Card(s)
512MB GeForce 9600M GT
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
Hitachi 244GB @ 7200rpm (IDE)
Cooling
nature
Keyboard
generic
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500
Internet Speed
30 megabits down, 5 megabits up
Other Info
1.)Staples 4-Port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub
2.)WNDR3700 - NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router
3.)Logitech Webcam C250
4.)Logitech M570
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