Current Events > Wi-fi VS Ethernet via wireless router VS Ethernet via Powerline adap

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/916373-pc/79800387

i need to somehow connect my computer to the internet, and have the above 3 main options. The modem+router of the house is way to far away to directly connect it into the computer. AFAIK Wi-fi is the least desirable of the 3, so that leaves using the electrical system of the house via Powerline adaptor, or buying a second router and placing it near the PC.

My main question basically is, since the hypothetical 2nd router Im would need to be wireless, would it even be any better than a wi-fi dongle?

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Jist get a really long Ethernet cable

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Do you have coax cable wiring? If so, you might be able to use MoCA adapters.

Powerline adapters aren't that good.

Basically any sort of physical connection between the PC and the modem is not an option. Its upstairs vs downstairs and its not a question of getting a super long cable, I dont want cables running up the stairs or pinned up on the walls, and I dont want to pull the walls apart just to hide all the cables underneath.

if theres such a thing as a wireless router that can provide a Ethernet connection that would be great as I can just plonk it down near the computer, but Im just wondering, does that even exist, and if so, are they even any good? As compared to wi-fi or the Powerline option for example. How would the wireless router connect to my internet? And what would the quality be like

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CommonStar posted...

Do you have coax cable wiring? If so, you might be able to use MoCA adapters.

Powerline adapters aren't that good.

This.

It doesn't require a super long cable, if your router is in the same room as a coaxial port (the port that cable TV uses) and your PC is in a different room that also has a coaxial port, this is your best solution for sure. It's what I use and it's not full ethernet speeds but I can still pull 750 mbps on Google Fiber.

If you don't even have that as an option, well... I dunno.

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Maybe Im overcomplicating things because Im just uneducated on this stuff.

Does a router need to be physically connected to the Modem/Wall internet? Can I just buy a router and place it near my PC, without there being a physical cable connecting this router with the Modem? And have it be connected wirelessly to the Modem? Is there any noticeable drop in speed/quality?

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discodancer77 posted...

Maybe Im overcomplicating things because Im just uneducated on this stuff.

Does a router need to be physically connected to the Modem/Wall internet? Can I just buy a router and place it near my PC, without there being a physical cable connecting this router with the Modem? And have it be connected wirelessly to the Modem? Is there any noticeable drop in speed/quality?

Well, with wifi there will always be a noticable drop in speed/quality because it isn't a direct line. But I guess the best option but pretty expensive is to buy two routers. One to hook up directly to the modem and bridge wirelessly to the other router placed in your room which you then connect to your pc via ethernet cable. You'll still get wifi speeds though. Your overall performance will depend on your slowest device.

Ok from what I understand using a Mesh/Bridging router will yield me similar results to wi-fi? So at that point the Powerline would just be the better option, right?

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Ethernet cable from the back of the modem into whatever you're trying to go online with. Been doing it since I got a PS3 in 2006.

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The effectiveness of the powerline adapter depends on if the adapters are on the same breaker I think.

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Powerline adapters suck. I got the best one and the speed is shit. My Fios is exceelent over wifi and i use a 50ft. ethernet cable for my Xbox.

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When I used a powerline adapter at an apartment, it worked extremely well. Then I used it in a different house and it wasn't nearly as effective. I have no need for it at my current house.

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discodancer77 posted...

Ok from what I understand using a Mesh/Bridging router will yield me similar results to wi-fi? So at that point the Powerline would just be the better option, right?

I mean you can try, and you might get lucky or you end up having to return it. Powerline is highly dependent on your electrical wiring and any interference by everything plugged in. Also powerline is half-duplex meaning they can't send and receive at the same time, it's one or the other so expect whatever the advertised speed is cut in half, if you're lucky. It is more stable than wifi though.

How far away is your PC from your modem?

with powerline, youll never know until you try. cheapest ones i saw were like 40 bucks. id say thats worth a trial run.

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I would just try the powerline adapter to see if it works for you, maybe order it from Amazon and test drive it for the first 2 weeks to see if it's stable and if not then just return it for the full price

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While pricy, the best option to extend wifi converage these days is mesh wifi. There are mesh wifi access points that also have ethernet ports to connect devices to.

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I highly doubt you'll want to do this but I felt it could be a decent option, just buy a couple of long Ethernet cables alongside with a couple of cable concealers (like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M9VLH4J/ ) and paint over them to match the color of your walls.

Probably a bit pricey but you'll have a wired connection and not having to see all the cables just lying around.

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Powerline adapters are hit or miss. It's fine if your house is wired right. If it's not......

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For big households that have 2or more devices in different parts of the house how tf do they use Ethernet?

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discodancer77 posted...

For big households that have 2or more devices in different parts of the house how tf do they use Ethernet?

They usually have the ethernet already wired in their walls.

Maybe you can find an electrician and ask for a quote.

IMO just stick to wifi

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discodancer77 posted...

For big households that have 2or more devices in different parts of the house how tf do they use Ethernet?

i run ethernet cables. i hide them along the baseboard, in cable channels to look nice.

if i owned my house, i would install them in the walls and run them back to a server room

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The room with my PC has a wall TV outlet thing. Its a hexagonal nut with a small hole in the middle, for the wire, Im guessing. Is this the Coaxial cable solution people were talking about? How exactly does this work? The outlet says Rogers but we are now with Telus, so I dont know if the outlet would be dead or not. Havent had a tv plugged in there for years.

bump

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That coax cable is likely run to a box outside the house that connects to the TV provider's network.

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CableZL posted...

That coax cable is likely run to a box outside the house that connects to the TV provider's network.

Would that network provide internet access or only like Television stuff

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lmao tc

you should look into wifi 6 if you really don't wanna reroute your coax/ethernet cables

discodancer77 posted...

Would that network provide internet access or only like Television stuff

It can do both, but if you're just trying to use it for this purpose it might not be possible. The conduits in your house are already only running to a specific place. Coax can be used for both TV and internet.

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CableZL posted...

It can do both, but if you're just trying to use it for this purpose it might not be possible. The conduits in your house are already only running to a specific place. Coax can be used for both TV and internet.

pretty sure that Coax wall port was being used for Televison. Does that mean it wont provide internet? And is only for TV?


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discodancer77 posted...

pretty sure that Coax wall port was being used for Televison. Does that mean it wont provide internet? And is only for TV?

You can repurpose the coax for a MOCA connection (which may be easy or hard depending on how your house is wired) . You said you have a coax port in your PC room, do you also have one in the room with your modem/router?

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discodancer77 posted...

pretty sure that Coax wall port was being used for Televison. Does that mean it wont provide internet? And is only for TV?

Both internet and TV services can be delivered over Coax. It just depends on what the service provider is set up to handle.

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Pitlord_Special posted...

You can repurpose the coax for a MOCA connection (which may be easy or hard depending on how your house is wired) . You said you have a coax port in your PC room, do you also have one in the room with your modem/router?

just checked and yes. One end is plugged into the wall and the other into the modem. No TV in the room

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Do you need ethernet because of speed or latency?

Because WiFi 6 can hit 600-800 on wireless.

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discodancer77 posted...

just checked and yes. One end is plugged into the wall and the other into the modem. No TV in the room

Well, that complicates the matter considerably since you'd need to use splitters to connect both your modem and the two rooms, which could weaken the signal to your modem enough to affect your service.

I'd recommend trying the powerline or wifi mesh options since you really have to know what you're doing to add MOCA adapters to an active cable service without messing anything up.

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Cant I just call my cable/internet provider (Telus Canada) to come over and plug the upstairs Coax outlet into the computer? And they deal with whatever converters, etc. that are necessary?

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Does my modem need to have wi-fi 6 in order for me to be able to use it? Or is wi-fi 6 more something the receiving device needs to be capable of?

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Ethernet will always be the best option so long as your house allows for it

If you can use Ethernet you should.

discodancer77 posted...

Cant I just call my cable/internet provider (Telus Canada) to come over and plug the upstairs Coax outlet into the computer? And they deal with whatever converters, etc. that are necessary?

It's possible though you might need to provide the MOCA adapters yourself. The other parts could be done fairly easily by a cable tech. I worked for Cox as a cable tech and they had a MOCA adapter/hotspot as an official product for about 1-2 years but it was rarely used (and ended up being discontinued in favor of a wifi mesh solution).

Nothing to lose by calling and asking though.


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discodancer77 posted...

Cant I just call my cable/internet provider (Telus Canada) to come over and plug the upstairs Coax outlet into the computer? And they deal with whatever converters, etc. that are necessary?

They typically won't do that kind of thing, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

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Maybe its an extreme solution, but can I just hire a cable technician to drill an Ethernet Jack into the wall near my computer?

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I had the same problem.

I got a Wifi repeater

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What are you intending to do over the connection? Anything latency-sensitive?

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discodancer77 posted...

Maybe its an extreme solution, but can I just hire a cable technician to drill an Ethernet Jack into the wall near my computer?

I mean yes but the cable has to be ran all the way to your router lol

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DarthAragorn posted...

I mean yes but the cable has to be ran all the way to your router lol

the router/modem has a cable in the Ethernet port that runs into the wall but I have no idea where it leads. So the house should have Ethernet cables in the walls.

Trumble posted...

What are you intending to do over the connection? Anything latency-sensitive?

I dont know what activities are latency-sensitive but mostly just web browsing, video streaming, downloading things and gaming

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Why are you so hesistent of using wifi? It works fine for me. I probably don't get my full internet speed but it's fine.

edit: I just saw your PCIE slots are all used up. I would think using a wifi extender should work about the same

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discodancer77 posted...

the router/modem has a cable in the Ethernet port that runs into the wall but I have no idea where it leads. So the house should have Ethernet cables in the walls.

Do you have one of the same ports in the room with your PC? If both rooms have them, then all you'd need to do is find your junction point (most likely either in a phone service box outside, or a structured wiring panel inside if your house is newer), terminate them with RJ45 heads, and then connect the two with a joiner/coupler and it should carry ethernet signal from the router to your PC directly (this is how I did it in my house to connect my roommates PC in another room)

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