Which router do I need?
Which router do I need?
I recently switched from an ADSL2+ internet plan that only gave me 6mbps to a new cable plan giving me 40mbps. Since the switch, I'm getting problems with game clients crashing. They don't crash all at once, but within one day they start crashing more often than usual.
I have a D-Link DIR-636L router and a brand new TP-Link TL-SG1024S switch. There are three computers running game clients on my network. One is just for gaming, the other two do nothing but run those games. I upgraded this service because I got an Xbox recently to save time updating it, plus pay about $1 more than my old plan since I don't use the rest of the internet or do other things. All my game clients are installed and working fine on the Xbox itself. The problem is happening with my computers too.
I think the issue might be my old router, so I asked TP-Link CS for advice earlier about their routers: tl-r605, tl-ER7206, or E8411. They said these were the only wired ones that fit what I need. On Amazon there are other models, but after checking the official site they look like discontinued ones. I don't know much about Omada type TP-Link routers. After watching a review for the cheapest of those three, I want to find another choice because I don't really need remote features and I'm looking for something cheaper with fewer extras if needed.
I asked the CS rep for a router that is plug-and-play with my switch, where I only wanted to change the admin password. Their recommendation was too expensive; the ER7206 costs over $500 for what I need since I have one user and three computers playing games without doing anything special. The clients use about 3mbps to run shops while gaming.
The most I ever spent on a router was $200 for an ASUS N66 back when it was popular, but the ER7206 is over $500?! That is way more money than needed for a wired router like this. It's not that I wouldn't spend it, but are there other options that work just as well without all those fancy bells and whistles? Any recommendations that aren't discontinued ones?
I want to get the right one that will last a while and works great with my cable internet (40mbps is plenty for what I need since 6mbps used to be okay). My provider's cable modem is a Hitron CDA-RES.