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Question

my wireless router (ASUS ac 1900) isnt giving my full speed

by Jun 20, 2015 4:43AM PDT

Hi all,

I have Charter 60meg broadband, I have hard wired to the Chart modem and get almost 70 meg! Well, when I run through my wireless Router (new ASUS AC 1900) I only test at 22meg. I replaced a Dlink 655 which had almost the same 22meg results.

I am looking for help. This isn't a placement issue as I get the same 22meg when the laptop is 2 feet from the router. Our computers are approx. 4 years old. I have toyed with settings but basically its the auto set up from ASUS. I called ASUS and they were one of the worst service groups I have encountered.

Something at the router point are holding back about 40meg of internet speed.

Any suggestion are truly appreciated.

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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Answer
Re: WiFi speed
by Forum moderator Jun 20, 2015 5:41AM PDT

Yep. Wireless is half-duplex and has more overhead, so is slower than wired. That's inherent to the technology. Luckily, it's fast enough to view a HD movie, so why care?

The only possible advice is to use Ethernet cable when you're 2 feet away from the router.

Kees

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Answer
For many reasons it won't be that speedy.
by Forum moderator Jun 20, 2015 7:04AM PDT

Since WiFi is half duplex and shared air space, there are many reasons for it to not deliver full speed. ALL MAKERS are not giving one on one presentations on WiFi performance. The full speed only works in laboratory conditions and with matched systems.

If your old gear is only 802.11g then you might see 32megabit or less. You can improve this with some tweaking but no maker (this is what most folk don't get) is there to teach this. There are web pages about it but many are simply consumers and not ready to try this or that or learn the ropes.

Try 802.11g first. Next 802.11n but limit it to 20MHz OFDM.

Be sure to try another DNS like Google DNS.
Bob

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response to Bob
by tjs31959 Jun 20, 2015 7:17AM PDT

Thank you.

I am kind of an medium level computer knowledge guy. Not a novice but a little out of my element with programming and tweaking my router.

My router is fairly high end. An ASUS RT-AC68P capable of 802.11ac. On my connection area it shows: radio type 802.11n

My wifi card is a Dell wireless 1510 wireless-N mini card.

The DNS is a little over me head, but I catch on quick. I have been playing with my settings a bit. Just not enough knowledge on my end.

just seems like we should be doing better than 20meg with the setup that I have (Charter broadband 60m ++ and a new ASUS router).

Thanks, Tim

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Nod to 802.11g test
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 20, 2015 7:24AM PDT

Then move up to 802.11n 20 MHz OFDM. 40 MHz OFDM looks to be beyond that card you noted so don't set that in the router.

As to GOOGLE DNS, there are tomes on the web about speed gains changing to a better DNS. You can research NAMEBENCH to test this out.
Bob

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response to Bob
by tjs31959 Jun 20, 2015 7:40AM PDT

Thank you.

I did change DNS server to Google DNS server but no change in test speeds.

Not sure what to think. I understand I wont pull 60meg wirelessly but it seems I should be testing more than 18-22 with my set up. Kind of a head scratcher for me.

I have put in request for help to ASUS but not holding my breath.

Thanks, again.

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Sorry but I'm not there to check your work.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 20, 2015 7:52AM PDT

Speed testing is an iffy area. But all it would take is some antivirus with some "hotspot shield" to tank the WiFi speed.

I'm not there to see all the possible drag chutes and anchors I've seen over the years so I can't list them all here. Only share what I find to help with a Stock Windows install and such. If folk install shields and don't tell, I won't guess that.

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response to Bob
by tjs31959 Jun 20, 2015 8:07AM PDT

Hi Bob,

I get it. It is a moving target with lots of hidden traps.

I am a bulldog type and will get it sorted out. Thanks for your advice. I am downloading namebench as we speak.

Thanks, Tim

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Namebench is one of my trick/tools.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jun 20, 2015 8:19AM PDT
http://www.howtogeek.com/167239/7-reasons-to-use-a-third-party-dns-service/

I can't find the post about a CDN but here's the relevant text.

"I have AT&T U-Verse, and when I use their DNS the Sony domains resolved to an internal Akamai CDN. That CDN must either be completely stuffed or broken, because it's what's serving so slowly.

When I switched to Google Public DNS, I started getting the generic Akamai servers instead, which served at full bandwidth. Problem solved."

Wow, changing DNS can improve overall performance...

---> But back to WiFi. I haven't read you tried the old 802.11g and 20MHz OFDM tests.
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