802.11g vs 802.11n

Will moving to a 802.11n wireless router improve the performance of wireless devices that are only equipped with 802.11g?

no

It won't improve performance (speed), but depending on the device it should improve signal coverage/strength - so if you are suffering from low signal strength then it should help with this.

Sparks
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Wireless N Broadband Routers - latest models all manufacturers
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If signal strength is improved, will that not improve throughput? As I currently understand it, 802.11g will decrease its speed (throughput) based upon signal strength until the number of lost packets reaches an acceptable level. So it moves down from 54 to 48, 36 Mbits/sec etc. to an acceptable level of lost transmissions. If the signal strength is improved, shouldn't the throughput increase?

Doug

The throughput on G is only 54 mbps, at full speed. It won't go beyond that, no matter how much coverage you have.

An N router will give you better coverage than most G routers. The exceptions would be high powered routers (higher mW), or routers using MIMO.

The only thing that N offers that G will benefit from is the increased range. Most G adapters don't have a large coverage area, so N will help to fix that.

Borgslayer

Right! Borglayer is right! I have tried with N router and seen that the coverage area is larger.

And I think if your signal strength is improved your throughput will also be improved.

Right. Better coverage is your main win in a mixed network. And *if* you've been suffering from poor coverage or signal strength with wireless g then wireless n will help boost your performance (speed), but as previously stated only to the max of wireless G (54Mbps).

Phew - hope that helps :-)

Sparks
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Wireless ADSL Routers - latest models all manufacturers
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I would like to add certain points to this discussion. I have made a detail study on this and I found that if you have a wireless N router and other devices are of G then this is sure that you will not gain any extra coverage or range.

But let us say you have G router and it gives you internet access up to 35meters with 54mbps then there is no surety that you will get 54mbps speed at 35meters. It could be lesser also at that point. But if you have N router but the other devices are of G then it is assured that you will get 54mbps at 35meters also.