Ideal router for 40 Mbps fiber link
Ideal router for 40 Mbps fiber link
Hello, I reside in India. I’m installing a fiber internet connection offering 40mbps speed through Multinet Pvt. Ltd. I’ve searched for a suitable dual-band Wi-Fi router priced below 2200 Rs (about 30$). After thorough research, I came across a TP-link Archer C6 AC 1200 model. Is this device appropriate for my needs? Also, is 40 Mbps sufficient for streaming HD content on Netflix, playing online multiplayer PC games like PUGBOOG and APEX Fortnite, and downloading games from Steam Epic Game Store? My household has five members, but none can connect simultaneously.
Hi, I haven't heard much positive about TP-Link except for the low price. However, a comparable Asus model (AC1200, MU-MIMO, USB port absent from Archer C6) would be significantly more expensive. Check out ASUS and Linksys routers in your area that match the AC1200-1300 range with MU-MIMO. A 1200Mbps connection isn't excessive—some users on Archer C6 achieved around 190Mbps in the same room. At least 40Mbps is sufficient for streaming five devices at 1080p, and 4K would strain the connection. For gaming, a wired link is best. While not that demanding, you don't need speeds beyond 5GHz with just 10ms latency. In short, avoid cutting corners—this is my recommendation. If you don’t intend to run OpenWRT, stick to better options.
TP Link leads among budget options. I’ve installed an Archer C7 before the firmware felt mediocre. The router performed adequately. Usually, cheaper products come with lower costs, but I’m unsure about pricing in India to confirm value. Many locals recommend ASUS, so checking their offerings would be wise. 40 Mbps is a slow speed by 2020 standards. Some users here have 3 Mbps DSL, making 40 Mbps still decent. Regarding ping, fiber generally offers lower latency, though this depends on your ISP and the network’s infrastructure in your area. I checked the numbers – streaming a standard HD show from Netflix needs about 5Mbps. In the US, the top package includes four streams with 4K, totaling 20 Mbps. That leaves roughly half your bandwidth for other uses. More than sufficient for gaming. If you use 40 Mbps and convert it to megabytes (dividing by 8 bits per byte), you get around 5 MB per second. So expect about 5 MB/s download speed, which isn’t ideal for fast game downloads, especially if others are also using the connection.
Truly, a 40mbps connection means any affordable router should suffice. Just pick one that fits your needs within the price range. Regarding speed, streaming or downloading for five people could seem sluggish, but you're unlikely to face this often. If it feels like a problem, consider a router with QoS capabilities to improve performance.
Thank you for your advice and I'll definitely consider it. I'll go with a dual band router. Thanks again. Oh, sorry things are getting rushed. I assure you this won't happen again. The Tp link archer c6 is just a router, not a modem, so I'll look into that. Thanks.