Changing from G to N Router do I need a new Wireless Adaptor?

OnAndUp

I was considering changing my broadband from Plusnet to BT but when I phoned Plusnet to ask for my MAC code they have talked me into staying by knocking off £4 a month and giving me a free new N router.

But.....I'm a bit confused!! On my old desktop I currently have a Belkin G USB wireless adapter like this http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/9663435/Belkin-F5D7050-Wireless-G-54Mbps-USB-Network-Adapter/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cat:9663435|prd:9663435 when I asked the Plusnet person if I needed a new N one she said NO?? Will the new router work with a G adapter and surely even if it does I would be better with an N one to give a better speed / signal wouldn't I?

Any help much appreciated!

Thanks!

jayme1

OnAndUp wrote: »

I was considering changing my broadband from Plusnet to BT but when I phoned Plusnet to ask for my MAC code they have talked me into staying by knocking off £4 a month and giving me a free new N router.

But.....I'm a bit confused!! On my old desktop I currently have a Belkin G USB wireless adapter like this http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/9663435/Belkin-F5D7050-Wireless-G-54Mbps-USB-Network-Adapter/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cat:9663435|prd:9663435 when I asked the Plusnet person if I needed a new N one she said NO?? Will it work with an N adapter and surely even if it does I would be better with an N one to give a better signal wouldn't I?

yes a G adaptor and any G device would fully work with an N router but it would only work at G speeds, if you want to take advantage of the faster N speeds and range you will need a N adaptor.
although if you don't transfer any files over your network, then unless your broadband speeds is (very roughly as it depends on the distance of router, walls ect.) slower than 20Mbit then you wouldn't notice any difference between the G and N speeds in terns of internet connection/loading web pages.

CazuaLL

Yeh agreed, you need to find a N adapter to get the N speed boost.

OnAndUp

Thanks!

So are all N adapters the same spec/ speed etc?? Don't really want to spend more than I need to. I was looking at this as I would prefer to use one of the USB's on the front of the tower save having an adapter on my desk like Iv'e got at the moment and this wouldn't stick out much:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Mbps-Mini-Wireless-Adapter/dp/B004NWLW8U/ref=sr_1_15?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1314707078&sr=1-15

kwikbreaks

Should be fine. The 150Mbps means it won't do the neighbour unfriendly channel bonding but that is no great loss - running at 150Mbps mode I can max out 50Mbps cable. For really fast network file transfers 300Mbps would be better if the router supports it. Gigabit ethernet would be better still though

Don't forget you can run the dongle on a USB extension anyway which would give you plenty of flexibility with positioning.

SteveJH200

Personally I prefer using an internal PCI adapter. The dongles often don't have the same amount of 'grunt' and they can be easily broken off if connected to a front USB socket. If you want to use the USB option then plug it in the rear of the computer.

John_Gray

Your Wireless G adapter will be faster (perhaps much faster) than your internet connection, so why bother to get a Wireless N adapter? The bottleneck will be your internet connection - your wireless will run faster but do more waiting!

OnAndUp

John_Gray wrote: »

Your Wireless G adapter will be faster (perhaps much faster) than your internet connection, so why bother to get a Wireless N adapter? The bottleneck will be your internet connection - your wireless will run faster but do more waiting!

Thanks for all your replies!

Not quite sure what you mean by this! So....eg. my internet speed is "up to" 3.5mb but I usually get about 2.5-2.8mb.

I just thought that N would work better? with N? But with the speeds I get would it not make a difference?

OnAndUp

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Should be fine. The 150Mbps means it won't do the neighbour unfriendly channel bonding but that is no great loss - running at 150Mbps mode I can max out 50Mbps cable. For really fast network file transfers 300Mbps would be better if the router supports it. Gigabit ethernet would be better still though

I'm guessing with the speeds I'm getting (see above) the 300Mbps would be no more use so just a waste of money?

kwikbreaks

With the ADSL speeds you are getting you don't need any upgrade on your current G. Where N would make a difference is if you have more than one PC and transfer files between them.

Hungerdunger

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Where N would make a difference is if you have more than one PC and transfer files between them.

What about the situation where one of your PCs is a distance away from the router and just on the borderline of getting/ not getting reception? Isn't N meant to be better than G?