Learn me something new - Netgear N900 WNDR4500 Dual Band

[rich9cinti]

QUESTION:
Since this wireless router is dual band, is it better to connect some to the 5Ghz and some to the 2.4Ghz bands to evenly spread out my devices? I've set both bands to max at 450Mbps.

Background:
I recently upgraded my old Netgear WNDR834B v2 with this new wireless router, the Netgear N900 Dual Band WNDR4500. I decided on the upgrade since I've had many additions to my list of wireless devices in the house.

I have my desktop directly connected to the N900. The N900 is in the basement along with my desktop. I have a two story house so my router has to push from the basement up. House is about 4,000+ sq ft.

Here's my wireless stuff connected to it:
-Two Macbook Pros with N-cards built in on the 2nd floor primarily
-Two iPads
-Two iPhone 4's
-One Nook Tablet
-Sony WiFi BlueRay Smart player with Netflix streaming from the 2nd floor
-One old PC laptop... I think it is a G-card internal

[killermodz]

Spreading the load between bands will most certainly help if your running into wireless congestion with them all one either the 2.4 or 5.8ghz bands.

[rich9cinti]

Originally Posted by killermodz

Spreading the load between bands will most certainly help if your running into wireless congestion with them all one either the 2.4 or 5.8ghz bands.

Thanks for the comment, it makes sense but I did some "feel" test and read up on the differences between the two bands. Here's what I found.

2.4ghz for typical online Internet stuff with longer range. 5ghz has a wider bandwidth, less interference and shorter range. Both my daughters MacBook Pros did better on the 2.4 for their Internet needs including YouTube and video conferencing from the 2nd floor. So they are back on the 2.4ghz band.

I will need to see if dedicating my Sony Blueray wifi device to the 5ghz band will be better due to steaming video via Netflix. I'll get back once I test it out. Unfortunately, it's also on the 2nd floor.

[Jahova]

B = Longest range, slowest throughput.
G = Medium range, medium throughput.
N = Shortest range, highest throughput.

There is also "A", but that is not a common band to use.

[WordMasterRice]

Originally Posted by Jahova

B = Longest range, slowest throughput.
G = Medium range, medium throughput.
N = Shortest range, highest throughput.

There is also "A", but that is not a common band to use.

This isn't true, N generally has the best range in addition to the best throughput.

[killermodz]

the range of all of the wireless standards are greatly dependent on the type of equipment your using at both ends of the connection. The higher in frequency, the more receive gain and transmit power your going to need to go the same distance. A/B/G have the downside of being frequency locked if you plan on using them in their standard, native bands.

802.11N is capable of being in both the 2.4ghz and 5.2/5.8ghz bands, independent or bonded between the both of them to increase speed. On top of that, 802.11N also has the ability to do MIMO and beam steering to increase SNR and range.... given all your equipment can take advantage of those technologies.