No, 5GHz WiFi won't block 2.4GHz devices on the same router.
No, 5GHz WiFi won't block 2.4GHz devices on the same router.
I have a good 80Mb/s connection. But it means absolute squat, thanks to a minimum of 4 phones competing for access to the router. If I'm not alone in the house, I can pretty much forget about FPS games. My router supports 5GHz, and as of right now no one in the house has a device that uses it. We're all on 2.4GHz. My question is, will buying a 5GHz adapter for my computer have any effect on the lag spikes I get due to other devices queuing for data? (Ethernet not optional, besides I suspect it's not to do with transfer method, but the router itself.) If not, do those expensive routers, such as the Asus spiky ones, actually do this? What I want, is my own "mini-internet" on the same landline as the rest of the family. How can I achieve this? Is it possible to have a completely lag-spike free experience with other devices connected? Thanks.
If you're the sole user of 5GHz and the spectrum remains free, you'll likely enjoy improved performance due to fewer collisions and re-sends. WIFI relies on CSMA; if you're the only one using that channel, you may notice a slight improvement. However, since you seem to prefer a more assertive setup, consider pairing this router with QoS support or traffic shaping for optimal results.
Consider what you need and notice the benefits from the increased speed and reduced errors caused by interference. However, you're still connected to others on your network, so if the restriction applies mainly to the 2.4 frequency band (which it likely does), it won't make a difference. If the issue is with your internet service provider instead, it won't help either.
Seek a router supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. If it works, expect quicker speeds through the air on the 5GHz frequency when you're nearby, though it's not as powerful as the 2.4GHz option [http://blog.dlink.com/2-4ghz-versus-5ghz/]. Purchase a few Powerline Adapters to eliminate concerns about 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi altogether [https://www.techradar.com/news/networkin...now-930691]. This should help.
I purchased an ASUS RT-AC1200G a year ago. I restricted bandwidth on all phones to 1 MB/s. I shared my parents' mail/office PC with just 10 MB/s. Set up a guest network for visitors with minimal speed. The rest of the internet remains reserved for my gaming PC (which has a 300 Mbps connection). So far, no one has discovered this issue and I haven't received any complaints about slow internet.
The issue is about maintaining a stable connection during gaming, not just speed. Even with sufficient bandwidth, interruptions from other devices can disrupt the stream. These routers are designed to address such problems by improving stability and reducing interference.
I suggest using a pfSense device at an old PC equipped with a few network cards. This setup can prioritize your traffic, letting other devices wait, which should boost ping speeds. The old PC could run a basic Atom processor with 1 gigabit RAM—dumpster diving is perfect for finding such a machine. If you prefer another choice, the Ubiquiti Edgerouter is a solid prosumer router using a modified Vyatta protocol. I’m a big supporter of pfSense; it’s straightforward to install and offers plenty of expansion possibilities. For your network’s wireless layer, consider assigning it to a simple access point rather than using a router-wifi combo.
Wireless always brings extra delay. I’ve played at 5 Ghz without too many problems. However, I don’t often compete in FPS games and honestly don’t care much. Trying Starbound or Killing Floor with a friend using VoIP usually worked well. Keep in mind that power line adapters and Moca adapters can help. They don’t eliminate latency completely, but many people say they offer a more stable and better experience than wireless. If you must use wireless, get a solid dual-band PCIe adapter. If your router feels slow, switch to a dedicated wireless AP for gaming only. Often it’s the Wi-Fi radios that struggle, not the router itself.
Did you check out the links in my previous post? Dean Evans from TechRadar wrote one that’s from 2014, but the tech behind it dates back even further. If your router has an Ethernet port, you won’t need to sacrifice the wall outlet. Purchasing a Power Line pass-through kit, such as the D-Link DHP-P601AV, works well—Choice tested it against the Power Line AV2 2000 and found it fast enough for streaming HD videos, online gaming, or 4K content. [link] The alternative is building your own patch cable using guidance from Ground Control.