Should I upgrade my router to N?

[Metal Loops]

Hello, I just wondered if anyone would think if I should buy a new router and upgrade to N, at the moment I have a Netgear Rangemax G router, the router is placed in my dining room and what I noticed is if I get my laptop which has an intergrated Wireless N card inside into the dining room i'd obviously get maximum connection, but when I go in the living room (room next door) I'd get 2/3 Bars and If I try to connect to my desktop upstairs (signal has to go through the garage before it hits the room where the desktop PC is) I get 1 bar or so. I just wondered if I bought an N router to replace the G one it would increase the range of the connection? All of the Wireless receivers are N (Laptop, 360) except for my Desktop one, which I would upgrade if I do get an N router.

Also one more question, if I needed to get a new wireless N adapter for the desktop PC, should I get a USB Wireless Adapter or a PCI one? and lso, could anyone Link me one thats compaitable with Windows 7 64-bit?

Thanks in advance

 

[severedsolo]

Hi there Metal Loops. That's a lot of questions.... I will do my best to answer them though

Firstly range: In Theory, N has a greater range than G, whether or not you would see any improvement is another matter though. your problem isn't range, it is the fact that the signal is passing through 6(?) walls before it hits your upstairs bedroom, some of them thick outside walls. and i bet it passes through them at an angle too (think about it - a 2inch thick wall becomes 5 inches if the signal has to cross it diagonally) so there is a good chance that it wouldn't help at all....

So to recommendations... personally in your situation I would look at these possible fixes:

1) hardwire your house... I have an ethernet cable that runs under my carpet all the way upstairs where it connects to a 2nd router which acts as another wireless access point... now I appreciate this is probably NOT the solution for you as it kind of defeats the object of going wireless in the first place, but I'm just putting it out there.

2) HomePlugs: these wonderful little devices connect to your router and effectively turn your power lines that run through your house into a network, you can have one plugged in downstairs, and one plugged in upstairs and the signal is carried through the walls, for more in depth reading try: HomePlug FAQ - AVForums.com

3) get a more powerful Antennae: Most routers have a unscrewable antennae and you can purchase a more powerful one and put it on... yours might not though.

If you do decide to go down the "N" route, then if your looking for an N adapter I'm afraid I don't really have many recommendations. The N adapter that I use would probably be absolutely no good to you, as it requires alot of messing around to get it working on Windows 7 X64, it is certainly NOT PlugNPlay.

I really hope this has helped you... If you have any further questions please feel free to ask