Abric Builds a Computer

[Canaie]

I would avoid playing online games on wireless, if I could!

[Abric]

That's an old timer way of looking at it, Canai! I've been playing wireless for the past two years, and have little to no issues with connectivity - especially in comparison to some of you other yahoo's.

SCIENCE!


EDIT: Also, if you XBox or PS3, you're going wireless... and that's smooth like butter. Unless your internet or router sucks - but that's the hardware, not the wireless.

[Canaie]

Sure, sure. It all depends on how strong and interference-free a signal you're getting. I know the wireless upstairs sucks ass, since the router has to be downstairs. Fortunately, my tower sits next to the router.

[Abric]

Yeah, my router is sitting next to my tv, which is about 20'-25' from where my computer is set up. I could move the router, but then I would have to call Verizon and have them reconnect it, as they are pretty fickle with the router (i.e. don't touch it unless you're getting paid for it!). Then it would merely be a question of having a long coaxial cable or a large ethernet cable, as there's going to be a cable involved somewhere. Wireless would make it a lot more clean, but not entirely sure what wireless adapter to get. I've always had good luck with D-link and LInksys, but it looks like the latest and greatest out there (that are still affordable) have 2-4 antennas sticking out of them. It's crazy. CRAZY!

[Abric]

D-Link DWA-556
Linksys WMP600N Dual-Band Wireless-N PCI Adapter

... hrm. I may have to be a PCI-Express card, too. I have more room on that slot than I do on the other slots for the above cards. Time to do some research after I finish hooking this mother fucker up.

[Ashenfury]

Ok, I do have a strong opinion on this:

Wireless is good for mobile computing. Other than that don't do it. Yes yes, wireless CAN be as fast as a solid connection but that's in a perfect world and last time I checked **glances at google news** the world aint perfect. There are so many signals and different bands flying through the air at any given time not to mention that even small objects in your home can cause wireless disruption.

Dem used to have his computer literally a few feet away from his wireless router. Both the router and his adapter were good tech (not ultra cheap) and while he saw good download rates his real world gaming bandwidth would stutter (it wasn't game ending, but annoying). After extensive troubleshooting he eventually resolved the problem by just running a cable. The games he was having trouble with were MW2 and WoW so I do feel that it's pertinent.

I have never in my life owned a wireless router/adapter nor have I ever made any type of extensive use of mobile computing (not a bigot, just no need). Go wireless if you expect to move your rig around a lot, otherwise I advise against it.

EDIT: Linksys > D-Link

[Malstrom]

Wireless is good for mobile computing. Other than that don't do it.

+1 from me.

The only exceptions are devices that do not necessarily need a solid connection. My sound system and my TV both connect to my wireless network but I rarely use those features and therefore do not care about speed or reliability.

For anything else I pretty much always run the wires...

Mal

[Duskheron]

*hugs her ethernet cable*

I did install a wifi system in my house after getting a smart phone, but I'd never use it for anything that needed a reliable connection.

/end oldfart cane waving

[Guduk]

I have never had issues with wireless, if I ever have internet issues its from the providers Modem, not my router.
That goes for downloading and gaming, and I have multiple items too, PS3, laptop, PC, Iphone (which is only the real piece of wireless I have issues with on occasion, but that's apples software)

Honestly, as long as you mac address filter your connections and password lock it so no one can ride your internet for free, there should be no issues.

[Canaie]

For an adapter, I have http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833166020 or something very similar. The external antenna really does boost the reception.

[Viktor]

Uh I play on a wireless router all the time. Guduk is right, mac address filters, set up a password. If you need to do what I do and run a range extender as well.

Push come to shove also take your network seriously. My router cost over 100 dollars, my wireless adapter around 80, my range extender 75. But you know what? I get full speed and have next to 0 problems. My wireless signal also never drops below 60% and I am around 150-170 feet away from the router.

Any problems I do have I can fix by power cycling my router and cable modem. Takes all of 2 minutes. The only times my internet gets really bad coincidentally tie in directly to my provider itself being congested or having issues.

Also make sure all your wireless components are N-Draft (they probably are just be sure). Sure a cable will always be superior on todays tech, but a cable is not always an option.

[Pincus]

Well, since I'm assuming Abric is renting, then wireless with 802.11n will be preferred as the easy option. The 5 GHz band is going to be your best bet. Especially if Abric likes humid weather, since you can get a bit of attenuation in the humid months in the 2.4 GHz range. Kids, there's a reason why microwave ovens work in that range.

You'll never win on latency though. Bandwidth will always be fine, but latency will be your killer unless you have an interference-free radio path. Add to that the usual asshattery of deep buffers in consumer wireless networking gear and then wireless begins to really suck for PvE/PvP.

Your real best bet depends on how your rooms are set up, and where your Internet drop is located. MoCA is one way. Ethernet over Power is another option. Best is a hardline of Cat6 with GigE wired everywhere, but your lease may not allow that.

[Deminthus]

MAC address filtering, password and make sure to turn off your SSID broadcast(unless you name it something funky like "Click Me for a Virus!!"). Those are really the only things you can do to protect your wireless network.

My personal opinion about wireless is to either go Wireless-N or run an ethernet cable. It's a lot cheaper and less of a hassle to just run a cable.

Edit: As Pincus said, latency is killer with wireless. If you're running any type of competition(arenas, RBGs, etc) then you will notice a difference.

[Pincus]

Oh, and as for video cards, it really depends on what you're doing with them. NVidia and ATI/AMD took some different tacks with how their GPUs are set up. But that's really if you are doing bare metal programming...but knowing Abric and his NSA-ish ways, the ATI would be better if he wanted to spy on terrorists. :D

As for dual video cards, that tends to border on insanity now for one simple number: 60Hz.

[Greebo]

I looked into EoP. Pretty much anything you can buy now sucks donkey balls compared to a good wireless connection. Ratings on those things are lies and you are at the mercy of the quality of the criminal who threw some wires into the empty spaces in the walls of your house/apartment and called it a day.