I’ve just moved into a new place and need to get my computer connected to the cable internet connection. I was thinking that a wireless connection would be the easiest way to do this (the other option would be to run ethernet through the attic - doable, but a lot of hassle, especially since I’d want to put in wall sockets). Wireless seems like it would be a great solution, and the router and my computer would be less than 20’ away (thought there are a few walls in the way).
So the question I have is this: Have any dopers gamed across an 802.11 (b or g) wireless network (talking about MMORPGs here) ? And, if so, were there any problems with lag or dropped connections? Are there brands of routers or cards that you would reccommend or avoid (I’m leaning towards Linksys or Netgear, but I could certainly be talked into something else) ?
Actually I just switched from a wireless connection to a wired one for this exact reason. Although I had some sort of fluke. I was getting huge chunks of lag and disconnections regularly in World of Warcraft. Generally I’ve experience less lag and NO disconnects. Plus, the transfer rate between another computer on the network is awful on wireless.
However, wireless solves a TON of wiring issues. It might be a good way to go. If I hadn’t had a flukey card (i’m sure it was my card, i’ve tested it), I would have stayed with wireless. Personally, if possible without inconvienencing myself, I would go wired.
Well, that’s the thing - I could run cable, but it means running cable through the attic and putting boxes in the walls and setting up punchdowns (which I’m told isn’t tough, but I haven’t done before). Wireless would be a LOT easier, if it works.
I’m not looking ot do much, if any, file transferring between computers; I just want internet access to all computers. Internet access that will allow me to play City of Heroes/Villians and maybe World of Warcraft without problems.
My PC’s on a wireless network (D-Link card and router), and I regularly use it to play Halo. Lately I’ve also moved my Xbox into the computer room, and I’ve been playing Xbox Live by routing it through the PC. No lag problems to speak of.
I’m sure you’re fine going wireless then. I just recently wanted to transfer LARGE amounts over the network, and ended up just taking my HD out and hooking it up to the other computer. Was a lot faster in the end.
I’ve played EQ, CoH and WoW on my mixed wired/wireless network at home.
There is a greater tendence for lag or lost packets with the wireless. This is especially noticable in zones of the games that are always laggy, due to the large number players that are around. The wireless seems to magnify it.
Have you looked at just running a cable modem line to the location you want, rather then snaking new ethernet lines from where ever the modem is now?
You didn’t say how you were going to go wireless with your computer, so let me offer this up:
I play a decent amount of online games (no MMORPGs, but stuff like Battlefield 1942, Pacific Fighters, Call of Duty, etc). The games I play pretty much demand good online performance.
When I moved into my new place I went with a wireless network. Linksys Whatever-G router, and a PCI card for my desktop. The laptop had built-in WiFi so I didn’t need to mess with that. Besides, the desktop is the rig for gaming.
After about two days I decided that a PCI card/anything managed by Windows is freaking worthless for online gaming. In my experience using Windows’ “Wireless zero” service is a recipe for random dropouts. The actual connection and bandwidth is fine, but about every two minutes or so the card/connection would have to “reconnect” itself. The delay was only for a second or two, but when aiming a shot or flying formation that could be (and was) deadly.
I put up with this for about a month until I was ready to pull my hair out. Fortunately I found a Linksys Wireless Ethernet Bridge (WET54G). This thing does the connecting to your network internally, and your computer sees it as a wired ethernet connection. Yes, it is a box that sits on top of my computer. But it’s a box with no lag, no reconnects and no worries.
So the moral of the story: from my limited perspective, a wireless ethernet bridge gives you better online gaming performance than a plugged-in PCI card using the Wireless Zero protocol.
I’ve had that problem too, but it didn’t seem to happen when I managed my connection with the software that came with the card instead of letting Windows do it. I think I eventually fixed it with a firmware upgrade… I’m using Windows for the connection now and it’s pretty solid.
I also had a different problem with dropouts, but that turned out to be my router resetting when it couldn’t keep up with the number of connections a P2P app was making. A firmware upgrade for the router fixed that one.
