Need a reliable router

I'll make this quick/simple, I'm looking to replace an aging wrt54g with something more...current.

need:
- G+N support (300 mb/s would be nice but can settle for 150)
- RELIABILITY
- dd-wrt support

Not needed:
- dual band
- true gigabit eth

Other stuff like NAS, QoS and printservers are nice to have but I won't go out of the way to find something with them. No set budget, however I don't need a wndr3700, and obviously bang for buck is best. Again, stressing reliability is the most important factor - before my wrt54 started dying I would only have to reset it after a power failure. I don't want some dlink garbage that needs to be reset every 3 days.

suggestions?

 

Few interesting models:

Asus RT-N12 (300MHz CPU, 32MB RAM, 802.11n 300mbps, DD-WRT) for $40
Netgear WNR3500L (480MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, 802.11n 300mbps, DD-WRT, USB) for $75
Asus RT-N16 (480MHz CPU, 128MB RAM, 801.11n 300mbps, DD-WRT, USB) for $90

Side note: Asus RT-N16 uses the same CPU (Broadcom 4718A) that Netgear uses but Netgear is cheaper and faster (with default firmware)

The review of Netgear also shows how much DD-WRT degrades the performance in exchange for more features so I'd keep it as a backup option if I were you. Here's a review of Asus RT-N16 for comparison.

My personal favorite would be Netgear for having the best power to weight ratio (speaking in automotive terms )

 

Seems to be difficult to find RT-12's in canada right now (newegg tiger ect all out of stock), I can't decide if that is a good sign (popular!) or a bad sign (defective/pulled). Rt-16 looks ok but for $100 it would just make more sense to throw in another 20 for a wndr3700...

Any thoughts on the Netgear WNR2000 or linksys wrt160? I can pick up either for about $50, but I'll admit I don't know much about midrange router quality. Coming from the gold standard wrt54 has spoiled a lot of people

 

WNDR3700 is usually $140 or so it would be more than $20 difference between it and Asus RT-N16

Netgear WNR2000 has good wireless coverage and only 4MB flash (you can only use the most basic DD-WRT builds).
As for Linksys WRT160N- it's a decent one- although also only 4MB flash. It's been renamed to E1000 to fit new Linksys' naming scheme but E1000 isn't officially supported by DD-WRT yet.

Since you're apparently looking at cheaper ones one not try this one- TP-Link TL-WR1043ND. It's not a well known company but a really good one- their network equipment is rock-solid, gets frequent firmware updates and is cheap.
It is supported by DD-WRT, uses a 400MHz Atheros CPU paired with 32MB RAM and 8MB flash. Additionally it has three detachable antennas for 300mbps Wi-Fi and a USB port. It costs some $65.

I'd go with TP-Link or Netgear 3500L for a reason- if you want reliable hardware you just can't go saving every $ here and there because in the end you get cheaper electrical components, no heatsinks etc. and that may ruin the experience.

 

Interesting, on further research I think I'll give this one a shot. Never heard of this company before but hey, they all start somewhere... and the 5 yr warranty they are slapping on these is reassuring. I was also looking at the asus rt-n13u since it's on sale here, but reviews are not nearly as favorable and it doesn't have 3 antenna.

 

May want to look at the Buffalo Nfiniti Wireless-N High Power Router & Access Point Reviewed

Buffalo Nfiniti Wireless-N High Power Router & Access Point Reviewed - SmallNetBuilder

 

I'd keep off Belkin....

(Personal bad experience with their router - but they USB hubs I have are fine)

 

I'd keep away from Belkin and D-Link. I have heard mixed on TP-Link.

I would add Linksys and Buffalo to the potential buys. I have had great luck with them. My WRT610v2 (same as an E3000) has been running for a year under pretty heavy load without needing to be touched once other than adding VPN. I have a customer with a pair of linked Buffalos and have had similar.

Of all the routers I have used, which is a lot, Asus, Netgear, linksys and Buffalo are the only way to go. They are the only thing I will put into small offices anymore.