Linksys E2000 OR WRT 320n

I'm buying my first wireless router for my home and what I'm looking for the most above everything else is range of about 150 to 200 feet (through brick walls). My main use is internet sharing and it would be nice to be able to play MP games over LAN. I DON'T plan to stream movies etc. or even transfer files between computers too often.

Ease of installation/configuration doesn't top my list.

1)The WRT320n seems to be cheaper.. but the E2000 still seems to be much popular.
If the Linksys E2000 is just a rebranded WRT320N, is there any compelling reason to go with the E2000?

Is the new software / firmware alone worth the extra money?
Is there any actual difference in performance ?

(I don't want to try flashing the e2000 firmware om the WRT320N or anything like that)

2)Also would these routers be an overkill for I'm looking for ? (I just need to be able to share my internet and play MP games over a ~150-200 ft range with four computers.) Is there a better performing cheaper alternative from Linksys?? I'm buying my first wireless router for my home and what I'm looking for the most above everything else is range of about 150 to 200 feet (through brick walls). My main use is internet sharing and it would be nice to be able to play MP games over LAN. I DON'T plan to stream movies etc. or even transfer files between computers too often.

Ease of installation/configuration doesn't top my list. I don't think I'm going to tinker much beyond port forwarding.


1)The Linksys E2000 has some great reviews with regards to performance but I've come to read that it's just a rebranded WRT320N.
The WRT320n seems to be cheaper.. but the E2000 still seems to be much popular.
Is there any compelling reason to go with THE E2000?

Is there any difference at all?

(I don't want to try flashing the e2000 firmware om the WRT320N or anything like that)


2)Also would these routers be overkill for I'm looking for ? (I just need to be able to share my internet and play MP games over a ~150-200 ft range with four computers.) Is there a better suited cheaper alternative from Linksys??
How are the E2000 / WRT320n better than the cheaper ones like the WRT160n?? (I can live with the 10/100 ethernet port on the 160n). From the reviews only thing I see is better reliability for the e2000 over the cheaper ones. No one seems to compare the range/speed etc.


Thanks a lot.
Any suggestions are appreciated..

Thanks a lot.

 

What's your budget or target price?
There is now an entire line of new 2011 models out by Linksys.
The wrt320n and e2000 are previous generation models. You can pick up refurbished units which on occasion are greatly discounted. Linksys refurb store link
150 to 200 feet is actually a pretty long distance, so if you want a Linksys unit, you should get a higher end model for better signal strength and stability. Otherwise you can check out other router brands that have user swappable external antennas for better range coverage. I don't think you can skimp out based on the distance you're trying to cover.

 

Make that <100 ft. (my bad)
E2000 surely can handle that range??

As for the new 2011 models, they don't seem to be *officially* launched in India.. still have to check the grey market.

 

WRT320N/E2000 is the same thing with minor changes in firmware.
This router is actually often praised for good range it achieves.
I haven't seen a proper review that proves this (like the ones smallnetbuilder does) but general consensus is it's a good one.

Will WRT320N/E2000 handle 100ft well depends on many factors including how clean 2.4GHz range is, how many walls are there between it and the client(s), what are the walls made of and so on.

You may want to consider a TP-Link TL-WR1043ND. It's cheaper than the Linksys and while it's not as good in terms of range it has three removable antennas so it's very easy to upgrade it with better ones. In such a case it would be better than WRT320N/E2000 and probably no more expensive (that depends on how much the price differs between the two where you live)

 

If the 320n is going in the basement forget it. I had it and my room is in the basement and on the top floor only certain spots could get wifi. My house is only 1800 sqft so it should be more then enough to reach up stairs but it wouldn't. I got the 400n and it barely cuts it.

 

You shouldn't have placed the router in the basement- due to the way omni-directional antennas work vertical range is always worse so the router should be placed on the middle floor or special external antennas should be used (which is impossible with WRT320N/E2000).

 

It's in the basement because that's where my room is. My modem is connected right from the tap because unfortunately even a little signal lose kills my signal and SNR goes threw the roof. That and i have a few devices that are only g wireless and can't use my full speed so i have them wired