Router or Repeater?

[dan]

The WiFi repeaters/extenders are a better option.

Wireless signals are affected by many factors, including distance, dense walls, electrical interference such as microwave ovens, etc.

All of these factors will affect your actual wireless range. As wireless connection quality varies the connection speeds are renegotiated. The WLAN connection may start at 150 Mbps and end up at less than 20 Mbps or drop entirely.

Even a high gain router will have problem areas (dead spots) due to the WiFi limitations discussed above.

I have a high-end router and still use a Amped wireless access point to extend the wireless range.

Technically, a wireless access point requires a Ethernet connection, however a wireless range extender doesn't. True wireless access points connect to the router via Ethernet and then broadcast a wireless signal. However you have to check the specs carefully because many times wireless extenders are misrepresented as wireless access points.

WiFi Extenders plug in and regenerate WiFi signals to increase the wireless range of your router. The TP-LINK TL-WA850RE is the least expensive at around $30. http://isp1.us/reviews/tp-link-tl-wa850r...-extender/

They are easy to install and set-up, just locate them between the router and the area that needs a better WiFi signal.

As far as speed goes, any wireless connection will be somewhat slower than a wired Ethernet connection. Many times the convenience of a WiFi connection will outway the marginal decrease in speed. I still manage around a 65 Mbps Internet connection via a wireless connection from a wireless access point that I have added to my router.

I don't get much faster using a direct Ethernet connected computer.

That being said,

If you are a serious gamer WiFi latency and interference can cause your online interactive game to lag., you'll want a direct Ethernet connection or if that is not possible, use the powerline Ethernet adapters. Here is a overview of how they work. http://isp1.us/reviews/netgear-xavb2101-...e-adapter/ For gaming low, stable latency (ping time) and decent upload speed is more important than high download speed.

Good Luck.