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[ComputerCandy]

I need a new Cable Modem and Router. It will be for internet, streaming HD, network sharing for music and video, and gaming. So far, it will be for the following devices:
Xbox 360 x2 - Wired (Priority connection)
Desktop PC (Win7) x2 - Wired
Blu-Ray Player - Wired
Nintendo Wii - Wireless
Laptop (Win7) - Wireless
Droid Phone x2 - Wireless
Printer - Wireless
Digital Photo Frame - Wireless

I have been reading all over the interwebs for the past couple days and have been looking for the best cable modem and router for my needs. So far I think my choices will be the D-Link DGL-4500 Router and the Motorola SB6180 Cable Modem.

Is this a good combo? Does anyone have any other suggestions? In addition to what I've already stated as my needs, we need the best possible speeds and least possible lag for gaming. And I'm hoping not to have to replace them for as long as possible so I'm hoping for something that supports at least some future protocols.

The DGL-4500 seems to be several years old now. Is there a new version or is it still viable for high-end, high-speed gaming? I haven't found anything yet.

Our budget is around $300. So far it looks like the DGL-4500 and SB6180, together, would run about $300 retail but only $200 or less used so I don't mind buying used equipment. Are there any inherit problems with used equipment that I should be aware of?

I still have to look up the following bit (I will, I promise) but since I'm here I hope you don't mind me asking anyhow...
As you can see I have 5 wired devices that I would like to have hooked up. I don't mind having the Blu-Ray player unplugged most of the time but the time may come (and likely will) where my family may have another device we'd like to have plugged in regularly. If I go with this combo I can only have 4 devices wired at a time. Is there a cheap way around this? Can I use a switch or hub behind port 4 of the DGL-4500 for some devices or is this not technically possible because of IP assignment, etc? Or could I use a second cheapie router behind port 4 of the DGL-4500? Can you daisy-chain routers like this? Our ISP is Charter Communications and we have 30Mbps home cable internet.

Sorry for all the questions. I'm just trying to get as much info now to try and avoid headaches later.

Thank you for any help!

[FurryNutz]

This is a great combo, I have the 6180 myself. Great modem. It will be even greater when my ISP will let it bond at 8.  Still a great modem though.

The 4500 will be a great router for you as well. Since most routers only come with 4 wired LAN ports in back, the simple solution to add more ports is to connect up an external network Gb switch. I have a 24port Gb on the back of my router. Connect up all the wired devices accept for the xboxes to the network switch. Keep the xboxes directly connected to the router for maximum connection and use the gamefuel rules to manage them.

Review the gaming and gamefuel rule sticky for XBL.

If you need support at 5Ghz you an run 5Ghz, just be aware that his router is a single wireless mode router meaning that it can do 2.4 or 5Ghz however you can't do both at the same time. If you need support for both at the same time, I would recommend a DIR-825 for this as it can do both 2.4 a 5Ghz at the same time. If not then keep with the 4500.

Let us know what you get and if you need more help. 

[ComputerCandy]

Thank you for the info!

I don't think I need both 2.4 and 5Ghz at the same time.  Is there an advantage to running both other than if I have other devices on the same band?

I also noticed that the DIR-857 has "HD Fuel QoS Technology for Superior VoIP and Online Gaming".  Is the essentially the same thing as "GameFuel" in the DGL-4500?  If several models have this, are there any features in newer routers that will benefit me that the DGL-4500 doesn't have?  Even though my priority is gaming, I will be using this for a lot more and I would like something that I will, hopefully, not have to replace for a long time.

Thank you again.

[FurryNutz]

Having both 2.4 and 5Ghz kind of depends on your needs and what your devices supports. I only have 1, now 2 devices that support 5Ghz in my house. I just got a 5Ghz wifi adapter from a buddy of mine and put in on my main PC which is in the same room as my 4500 set up as an AP on 5Ghz only. I have a 825 in the livingroom using the same setup for my Mac Book Pro. So I can travel around the house with my Mac on 5ghz and not loose internet as an example. Yes you can even use a xbox 5Ghz wireless adapter as a last resort for gaming. However wired is preferred. Running the wireless just depends on what you need and what devices support it. If you only have one then you might be ok on 2.4 for a while. Later on get a 5Ghz AP and you can connect it up to the 4500 for a dedicated 5Ghz wireless support.

Yes the HD Fuel is the next gen Gamefuel. I have it in my 657. I don't have any experience on the 827 yet as I don't have one. I'll be honest and recommend that you hold off on the 827 for now. There are some minor issues that DLink is aware of on the 827. Nothing that effects gaming or anything. I really would recommend the 4500. It's a solid router for gaming and if thats your priority, you'll be best served by it or the 825. you can review the 827 forums if you like.

The only other thing that the 4500 doesn't do and wont do is IPv6. Ya, its a shame however even if IPv6 is supported by your ISP, the 4500 will work well beyond IPv6 releasing. IPv4 is not going away after IPv6 comes to play. It will be around for a long time after. if you want IPv6 then the DIR-825, DIR-655 and the newer gen amiplify routers support IPv6.

Let us know what you get. Should work well. I love mine.  

[ComputerCandy]

Fantastic.  All good to know.  I may go with one of the others you mentioned just for the IPv6 if it does everything else I need.  I'll read up on each.

Thank you again!

[FurryNutz]

Let us know what you end up with. 

[ComputerCandy]

Ok, so I keep wavering back and fourth.  I love the idea of the 600Mbps speed (I know conditions have to be specific to obtain that) but you stated that the 827 has some known issues.  I looked around some in the 827 forums and couldn't seem to find what they were.  Could you point to one of those discussions with a link for me?

Even more, I love the idea of 900Mbps speed but read that the 857 won't be coming until Q2 of this year.  I don't mind waiting but I know that when any new hardware first hits, there may be some possible issues until firmware revisions come.  But even still, I may wait and see.

You also mentioned the 825 but I read that people were having issues getting it to work with the MS branded Xbox wireless adapter on some retail sites from customer reviews.  We have friends over now and then that bring an extra Xbox and it would be nice to just hitch them on with wireless even if it's not the ideal speeds from wired.  Is this a legitimate problem and if so, has it been addressed?  I couldn't find anything here.  Oh, and I've not yet been able to find the speeds of the 825.

I really plan to get the most of whatever I choose and really want as much future-proofing as possible.  So I like the idea of IPv6 but also like the idea of higher speeds.  Eventually I want to be able to stream some serious HD from one main media server to several computers both wired and wireless... sometimes to multiple computers simultaneously.  And although gaming is the connection I want prioritized, these other uses will still need solid attention.

Any more advice on my too-much-info dilemma? Hehe...

Thank you again!

[FurryNutz]

Ok, so I keep wavering back and fourth.  I love the idea of the 600Mbps speed (I know conditions have to be specific to obtain that) but you stated that the 827 has some known issues.  I looked around some in the 827 forums and couldn't seem to find what they were.  Could you point to one of those discussions with a link for me?
There is a DIR-827 forum on this web site.
DIR-827


Even more, I love the idea of 900Mbps speed but read that the 857 won't be coming until Q2 of this year.  I don't mind waiting but I know that when any new hardware first hits, there may be some possible issues until firmware revisions come.  But even still, I may wait and see.
Be aware that attaining 600 and 900Mb connections is a marketing scheme and not actual. Thats a combined number of a dual band router that can do 300Mb or 450Mb max on each radio. Yes supposedly the 900Mb router does combine the two radios however I have yet to see a WiFI adapter manufactured that will support this. All current known adapters that I've seen are 300Mb or 1 or 2 450Mb supporting. Right now most common attainable connections is 300Mb.

You also mentioned the 825 but I read that people were having issues getting it to work with the MS branded Xbox wireless adapter on some retail sites from customer reviews.  We have friends over now and then that bring an extra Xbox and it would be nice to just hitch them on with wireless even if it's not the ideal speeds from wired.  Is this a legitimate problem and if so, has it been addressed?  I couldn't find anything here.  Oh, and I've not yet been able to find the speeds of the 825.
I've never had any issues with my DIR-825 or any of my routers using my MS branded 5ghz xbox adapter. It's all in how the routers WiFi is set up and any external interferences can impact any wifi performance. People will say anything bad because they don't understand how to work with the equipment and overly expect it to just turn on and work. They fail to realize that other factor can contribute to there experiences with these routers and devices.  

I really plan to get the most of whatever I choose and really want as much future-proofing as possible.  So I like the idea of IPv6 but also like the idea of higher speeds.  Eventually I want to be able to stream some serious HD from one main media server to several computers both wired and wireless... sometimes to multiple computers simultaneously.  And although gaming is the connection I want prioritized, these other uses will still need solid attention.
IPv6 will come eventually to those who don't have it. There are many factors in it's deployment, starts with ISPs first and the internet back bone, then SW mfrs need to implement it in there SW. Then end users will see more and more of it. If your ISP doesn't support IPv6 at the moment then don't worry. You won't loose access to the internet.  

If you would like to have the support for future use then the 825 would be a good solution. I still like the 4500 however finding one is becoming harder as they aren't produced anymore. I see some on amazon and fleabay here and there. Some sites are still advertising them however they are out of stock. I think there just advertising so to make you look at come to there site and by something else.  

Any more advice on my too-much-info dilemma? Hehe...

Thank you for comming to the forums and asking questions and researching before you by. I wish more people would do this. You'll get a better idea of what you want and have a better idea of what to look for. Great work and I hope that we can help you find what your looking for.  

Keep us posted.

[XS]

What is a affordable hub/switch, does not have to be fancy all, just get the job done for low bandwidth devices, i.e. cable box, blu-ray?

[FurryNutz]

I would recommend a Gb switch at least if you need one. I have 24pt currently.

[Hard Harry]

A switch is a switch. I mean besides getting one with Gigabit ability for future use. Since this is a Dlink forum, the DGS-1005G (5port) or  DGS-1008G (8 port) are pretty good. Going "Green" means less heat, which usually means longer life. I haven't looked at their AC adapters though, thats the failure point for most switches.

And speaking of 900Mb routers, the RT-N66U comes out in 3 days. :-) Thats the router I am getting to finally replace my DGL-4500. She has served me well, but its time to move on. Won't be throwing it away ofcourse, it still works great. It's going to my brother who only has a DIR-615 right now, so he is psyched.

[FurryNutz]

Harry, your a traitor.  HEHE.

Not going to wait for the DIR-857? 

[Hard Harry]

Well since its not on topic, I will keep my answer short. More RAM, external antenna and 3rd party firmware support. I don't use USB so the 3.0 isn't any game changer and I am really disappointed in Dlink for jumping on the internal antenna bandwagon. There are 0 practical advantages to it. JMHO

[FurryNutz]

I know...Makes me wonder why there doing that.