Should I run new ethernet or just get a wireless adapter?

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Reaper1242

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In the next few weeks I need to move my main PC to another room about 15-20m from the router which is also Wifi enabled.
Currently there are 2 desktops connected by ethernet as well as a tablet, notebook and 2 smartphones on Wifi. I've never seen any real instability on the Wifi connections. Thing is, the computer I'm moving does all the downloads so I need a good connection. I keep reading articles that Wifi is less reliable and slower but is it all that noticeable?

So would it be better to go wireless or run an ethernet cable? I like the idea of going wireless but not at the expense of a good connection.
 
I like the idea of a Powerline system but there seems to be a fair amount of uncertainty about connecting across breakers. I know that the router and PC would be on separate breakers once moved.
 
Download will not be affected. Its moving the downloaded gigabyte that might be an issue (slow).

I recently bought a D link @R150 (rebeltech). In that price its worthwhile simply giving it a shot.

Also, with lightning etc wifi suits me better than ethernet.

20m w/ walls is a bit hectic for wifi though & at that range it might be flakey.
 
I like WiFi, but I have to tell you if you plan on streaming anything from your PC, rather go through the effort of pulling a cable through, you get much better results on streaming through a wired connection.
 
HavocXphere said:
Download will not be affected. Its moving the downloaded gigabyte that might be an issue (slow).

I recently bought a D link @R150 (rebeltech). In that price its worthwhile simply giving it a shot.

Also, with lightning etc wifi suits me better than ethernet.

20m w/ walls is a bit hectic for wifi though & at that range it might be flakey.
Click to expand...

I've managed to get great wifi connection on the notebook and mobile devices from that distance. Of course that's mostly for general syncing and stuff like that. Never tested on streaming or downloads using wifi.
I could always just hook up a repeater if I decide to go the wifi route.


Frikkenator said:
I like WiFi, but I have to tell you if you plan on streaming anything from your PC, rather go through the effort of pulling a cable through, you get much better results on streaming through a wired connection.
Click to expand...

I'm kind of just leaning to ethernet. Too much potential for wifi issues. Of course if I I can get a powerline system to work across breakers then that's perfect.
 
Reaper1242 said:
In the next few weeks I need to move my main PC to another room about 15-20m from the router which is also Wifi enabled.
Currently there are 2 desktops connected by ethernet as well as a tablet, notebook and 2 smartphones on Wifi. I've never seen any real instability on the Wifi connections. Thing is, the computer I'm moving does all the downloads so I need a good connection. I keep reading articles that Wifi is less reliable and slower but is it all that noticeable?

So would it be better to go wireless or run an ethernet cable? I like the idea of going wireless but not at the expense of a good connection.
Click to expand...

If you worried about internet speed over wifi then realy not much to worry about since your wifi speed is say max 50Mbps and you internet speed would not get that high.
If you planning on streaming videos between pc's or transfering files between them then you will notice the speed drop between wifi and ethernte cable
I run everything via wifi and have a laptop on wifi doing all the downloads
 
isie said:
If you worried about internet speed over wifi then realy not much to worry about since your wifi speed is say max 50Mbps and you internet speed would not get that high.
If you planning on streaming videos between pc's or transfering files between them then you will notice the speed drop between wifi and ethernte cable
I run everything via wifi and have a laptop on wifi doing all the downloads
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. It helps to know from a real world usage point of view. I think there are just too many variables to say for sure until someone tries it.
I forgot that there's no way we can top wifi speeds in SA because of our limitations.

At the moment the router is outside in a granny flat and even up to the other side of a 4 bedroom house I get wifi. The router would now move inside so I can only guess that it would improve. But if it's bad I'll just stick an access point midway.
 
Reaper1242 said:
Thanks for that. It helps to know from a real world usage point of view. I think there are just too many variables to say for sure until someone tries it.
I forgot that there's no way we can top wifi speeds in SA because of our limitations.

At the moment the router is outside in a granny flat and even up to the other side of a 4 bedroom house I get wifi. The router would now move inside so I can only guess that it would improve. But if it's bad I'll just stick an access point midway.
Click to expand...

if you have an android phone or tablet get the wifi anaylzer app, use it in the room you plan to move the PC too to see what the wifi strength is there, that can give you an indication of what problems you may enconter
 
bekdik said:
Don't forget that WIFI is half duplex, whereas wired is full duplex. Wired is a lot more stable than wireless, so if you have the choice, lay a cable.
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I'm definitely leaning to cable. I've never had issues and it's a little effort then it's done. I do like stability.

Now I just need to figure out the best way to actually run the cable. I suck at DIY.
 
Reaper1242 said:
I'm definitely leaning to cable. I've never had issues and it's a little effort then it's done. I do like stability.

Now I just need to figure out the best way to actually run the cable. I suck at DIY.
Click to expand...

Easiest and cleanest way I've found is to use Bostik Cable glue. Lay a 1m-2m line of glue, press the cable onto the glue, and remove again, keep the 2 separated for about a minute then press it in place firmly. If you stick to corners you can hardly see the cable afterwards.
 
Frikkenator said:
Easiest and cleanest way I've found is to use Bostik Cable glue. Lay a 1m-2m line of glue, press the cable onto the glue, and remove again, keep the 2 separated for about a minute then press it in place firmly. If you stick to corners you can hardly see the cable afterwards.
Click to expand...

That's really funny. I literally just clicked on the link for Bostik Cable Glue as this notification came in. I like this idea. I've used hot glue previously but it's absolutely terrible for cables.
Was considering going through the ceiling but I have a horrible feeling I'd just end up falling through or something stupid.

And any advice on how to run through a doorway. The path up to the room is clear. It's just getting through there that has me stumped. I don't want to run it through the gap because I'm pretty sure the cable won't last long in a closing door.
 
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What ADSL speed you got. If you have 4MB line, WIFI can handle that easy with up to 54MB on a a and g connection. And don't worry about half duplex or full duplex. You won't notice the difference.

I have my laptop, daughters computer and my wifes PC connected through Wifi and I stream Youtube and my daughter plays that Nickelodeon game: Monkey Quest....no problem.
Only problem, no Gig connection between devices on this network.
 
beans100 said:
What ADSL speed you got. If you have 4MB line, WIFI can handle that easy with up to 54MB on a a and g connection. And don't worry about half duplex or full duplex. You won't notice the difference.

I have my laptop, daughters computer and my wifes PC connected through Wifi and I stream Youtube and my daughter plays that Nickelodeon game: Monkey Quest....no problem.
Only problem, no Gig connection between devices on this network.
Click to expand...

Right now I'm still on 1 meg. I've had some unusual expenses the last few months so had to put off the speed upgrade. Though I'll probably go up to 4 in the new year.

So from a wifi standpoint. My router is b/g and n. I think it's set to n right now. Assuming I've got 2 smartphones, a notebook and a PC on wifi. Am I right that I can, for the most part, expect a decent throughput?

Oh, and in terms of desktop wireless adapters which is preferable, USB or PCI? I'm assuming PCI
 
Reaper1242 said:
That's really funny. I literally just clicked on the link for Bostik Cable Glue as this notification came in. I like this idea. I've used hot glue previously but it's absolutely terrible for cables.
Was considering going through the ceiling but I have a horrible feeling I'd just end up falling through or something stupid.

And any advice on how to run through a doorway. The path up to the room is clear. It's just getting through there that has me stumped. I don't want to run it through the gap because I'm pretty sure the cable won't last long in a closing door.
Click to expand...

If the door has a wooden frame, just drill a hole through the top corner of the frame and push the cable through. Do you know how to crimp an RJ45 head? If so, do it only AFTER you have laid the cable...
 
carstensdj said:
If the door has a wooden frame, just drill a hole through the top corner of the frame and push the cable through. Do you know how to crimp an RJ45 head? If so, do it only AFTER you have laid the cable...
Click to expand...

It's a metal frame but I just had a brainstorm that I can run it down the frame and under, the floor is tiled so enough gap there. No problems with crimping. Just have to borrow my friend's crimper
 
Reaper1242 said:
It's a metal frame but I just had a brainstorm that I can run it down the frame and under, the floor is tiled so enough gap there. No problems with crimping. Just have to borrow my friend's crimper
Click to expand...
Well if there's a gap, then you're A-4-AWAY! If you find the gap is not big enough, you could always drill through the metal frame... Shouldn't be too hard...

Otherwise go with the route you mentioned of running it in the roof... I did that at home. Just drilled a small hole in the corner of the roof of each room and dropped it in thru there, then used cable glue to glue the CAT5 along the skirting. You could also use 16x16mm trunking. If you in the roof, just be sure to walk along the support beams and i can promise you want fall anywhere :D
 
Reaper1242 said:
I've managed to get great wifi connection on the notebook and mobile devices from that distance. Of course that's mostly for general syncing and stuff like that. Never tested on streaming or downloads using wifi..
Click to expand...
Laptops generally cope better with weak wifi signals. Cellphones etc usually bomb out ~10m closer than laptops.
 
carstensdj said:
Well if there's a gap, then you're A-4-AWAY! If you find the gap is not big enough, you could always drill through the metal frame... Shouldn't be too hard...

Otherwise go with the route you mentioned of running it in the roof... I did that at home. Just drilled a small hole in the corner of the roof of each room and dropped it in thru there, then used cable glue to glue the CAT5 along the skirting. You could also use 16x16mm trunking. If you in the roof, just be sure to walk along the support beams and i can promise you want fall anywhere :D
Click to expand...

I tend to overthink these things and miss the obvious simple solutions.
Never underestimate the accident prone. I'm a big, clumsy guy so I'll probably do something interesting like stand on the only nail up there, then fall head first through the ceiling onto the floor. One day I'm sure I'll win a Darwin Award :D

HavocXphere said:
Laptops generally cope better with weak wifi signals. Cellphones etc usually bomb out ~10m closer than laptops.
Click to expand...

I've always used my notebook and phone right by the router. Lately I'm further away so seeing that more now.
 
Oh and I've decided to go with cable. Seems easier to just go with something that eliminates all of the other issues. Now I just need to actually do it.
 
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