Wireless router 5GHz vs 2.4GHz test, questions.

[Goofy Yno]

Just got a new asus RT-N66U wireless router. I have a fairly large house, with the signal needing to go through many walls to ge to both the Imac in the back office, and the TV (nexflix/vudo thru dvd) . so I expected the 5 g to be the best. but here is what I got

airport asus 5g asus 2.4
same room 32/13 Mbps 32/14 32/14

tv room 10/12 32/11 22/11

far office 11/12 21/10 31/12

So I'm confused on the far office with an Imac in it. I rechecked and got even lower 5g numbers, but maintained 30s with 2.4. I guess I'll use 2.4 in the far office and 5 g every where else. or am I missing something?

 

[brentsg]

The 5GHz signal will be degraded by walls and such more than the 2.4GHz will.

 

[outie2k]

You have a misconception of 2.4ghz vs 5ghz. The 2.4ghz band actually penetrates solid objects better than the 5ghz does. 5ghz carries more data but does not penetrate walls as well.

 

[marzer]

Just got a new asus RT-N66U wireless router. I have a fairly large house, with the signal needing to go through many walls to ge to both the Imac in the back office, and the TV (nexflix/vudo thru dvd) . so I expected the 5 g to be the best. but here is what I got

airport asus 5g asus 2.4
same room 32/13 Mbps 32/14 32/14

tv room 10/12 32/11 22/11

far office 11/12 21/10 31/12

So I'm confused on the far office with an Imac in it. I rechecked and got even lower 5g numbers, but maintained 30s with 2.4. I guess I'll use 2.4 in the far office and 5 g every where else. or am I missing something?

2.4ghz penetrates walls better but is more susceptible to interference because of how much more use it gets by consumer products and overlapping networks.

If the asus allows, config the router with a single ssid for both freqs. This will let your devices automatically choose the strongest band. Closer devices will probably pick up 5ghz better and farther ones 2.4ghz.