Here is a quick comparison of the Netgear R7900 vs R8000. We examine the unique and common features and decide which one is better.
Networking hardware manufacturer Netgear serves consumers, small businesses, and service providers. Founded in 1996, it has proved its reliability over time. Among its products are routers, DSL, switches, wireless access points, storage networks, as well as security IP cameras.
Gamer and high-speed users are the target market for Netgear’s Nighthawk series of routers.
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3 Thing to be aware of before buying Netgear routers
Prior to purchasing a Netgear or other router, you should be aware of the following things.
1. Gaming Router
The popularity of gaming has increased in recent years. GPUs and motherboards should also be fast, but an internet connection should be as fast as possible. Because of this, routers are made with a focus on providing stable and fast connections.
Internet speed depends on many factors. In some cases, the box doesn’t contain the exact number that you receive. Although the advertised speed for routers is the best-case scenario, you may find that the actual speed is different. Multiple devices are connected to the router, and each of them probably has multiple apps open simultaneously. There is no complete bandwidth available to all users because the router must divide the bandwidth among all users. These problems can be solved with gaming router features like multiple frequencies and dynamic Quality of Service, which we will discuss in the next few minutes.
Besides good hardware, good RAM and processors can also help. At least 256MB of RAM and dual-core processors are required for gaming routers. A 512MB RAM kit is available for more money as well. RAM allows you to run more applications at the same time.
2. Frequency Bands
A wireless network uses a specific channel or frequency, much like a radio signal. IEEE 802.11 is the international standard for these channels. With the 802.11ac standard, 5GHz frequencies are supported.
Wi-Fi routers use two frequencies typically: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Speed increases with frequency. As a result, the newer, 5GHz processor is superior. Additionally, this channel is still relatively new, so it seems less traffic, resulting in less congestion and latency. According to the 802.11n standard, the 2.4GHz band is used. It is a more common and older standard, so it usually generates more traffic, especially in an occupied building. Its range, however, is greater than 5GHz. This frequency should be sufficient for most normal use. In order to play video games and stream video, you only need 5GHz. Hence the dual-frequency operation of many routers. The choice is yours. It is referred to as dual-band.
Among the newer triband routers are those which have two 5GHz connections and one 2.4 GHz connection. The high-speed connection can be shared by multiple users.
3. QoS
During QoS, it is determined which kind of traffic will be prioritized and which connections will be given more bandwidth. When it comes to routers, QoS makes a huge difference. The program will guarantee that each user is connected smoothly and reliably
QoS is the process of setting up the router’s priority settings so that certain things, such as games and HD videos, get priority, but it doesn’t include peer-to-peer applications.
In addition to this, ASUS utilizes Adaptive QoS. Different applications can have their priorities and bandwidth determined manually this way. Both outbound and inbound bandwidth can be modified. It is an automated Quality of Service that NetGear uses called Dynamic QoS. The system is capable of identifying the type of application and determining which one requires more bandwidth without the need for user involvement. In addition to speed testing and prioritizing yourself, Netgear also permits you to run speed tests.
Netgear R7900 VS. R8000 Comparison
There are a number of similarities between the R7900 (AC3200) and R8000, but there are also a couple of differences. Their major specifications are listed below.
1. Encryption
Your internet accounts should be password protected as well, just like your phones and laptops. Secure your network by choosing a strong password and encrypt it with strong encryption. The person who gets access to your router can monitor all of your internet histories, listen to important conversations, and maybe even turn your webcam on. Wireless routers employ a stronger encryption standard, WPA2 with AES. Routers with enterprise features are also available. Administrators can monitor and limit certain users by using different passwords for different users.
WPA2 encryption is used by the R8000. The product offers features such as password protection, a double firewall, DoS protection, a VPN, and guest access, among others. Because all Netgear routers employ NetgearArmor, which is similar to encryption methods, the R7900 also shares similar standards. This means the ties are both between the routers.
2. Wireless Speed Rating
Each router has a rating of wireless speed in Mbps. Speed is determined by whether a router is AC or N. It refers to the IEEE standard 802.11n, which is faster in terms of data transmission and compatible with 2.4GHz. In addition to 802.11ac, AC routers offer low-power 5GHz connections that can go as fast as 1Gbps.
The channels have 5GHz and 1300Mbps speeds respectively. Three channels are available with 2.4GHz and 600Mbps speed. As a consequence, this router is capable of 3200Mbps overall, which is why AC3200 is referring to it.
In addition to being a triband router, the R7900 also supports 3000Mbps overall. This product has a 2.4GHz channel speed of 450Mbps and a 5GHz channel speed of 1300Mbps. Therefore, the R8000 is our winner.
3. Streaming Capabilities
We spend a lot of time on the internet watching videos. HD and 4K streaming are among the most demanding processes. This is why HD videos always come first in the router’s Quality of Service. The quality of an internet connection is also something that users look for. You will experience different levels of performance depending on how fast and how frequently you run.
The R8000 can connect to 50 devices at a time, and it’s fast enough to handle 3.2Gbps. This feature reduces channel congestion by blocking lag on any particular channel. In addition, four wired gigabit Ethernet ports enable a dedicated and interference-free connection. Despite having four Ethernet ports, however, the R7900’s overall speed is also 3Gbps. If fewer users are present, the difference in performance is not noticeable. However, the R8000 again takes the win here.
4. RAM
Memory is just as important in a router as it is in a computer or mobile device. In proportion to the increasing usage of the Internet, the number of bandwidth-heavy apps are also increasing exponentially. It is likely that users will experience slow connections and buffering if the router lacks enough RAM and good hardware.
In addition to its dual-core 1 GHz processor, the R7900 comes with 256 MB RAM and 128 MB flash storage. In addition, the R8000 has also a dual-core processor and 1 GHz, 256 MB of RAM with 128 MB of flash storage. Consequently, both units have equal RAM.
5. MU-MIMO
A technology known as MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Inputs and Multiple Outputs) operates wirelessly. Multiple users can connect to or speak to the router simultaneously with this feature. This feature is not supported by all routers, so devices have to wait their turn; otherwise, they can send and receive data after the first device. Due to this, performance may suffer. There is often no explicit mention of this feature, but many older AC router models include it.
However, the R8000 appears to offer fast, uninterrupted connections for more than 50 devices, while the R7900 does not offer MU-MIMO.
R7900 and R8000 Differences
In the same company and within that series of routers, both R8000 and R7900 belong to the same family. There are only two things that are different between them, so the majority of their features and standards are the same.
1. USB Ports
Connecting a router to a device like a printer requires USB ports. Hard drives can also be connected to a USB port to be uploaded to the internet. In addition to storing data in the cloud, some router makers provide cloud services, including Netgear. There is one fast USB 3.0 port and one old USB 2.0 port on the R8000. In contrast, the R7900 has a 3.0 port, not a 2.0. It shouldn’t cause any major issues, though.
2. Price
A lot was expected of Netgear R8000, including speed and reliability, and that came at a high price. It was offered as a lower-cost alternative to the R8000. The review of these two routers shows that they have similar properties, so if you are on a budget and don’t expect too many clients to be connected to the router, then the R7900 is a better buy. The R8000 is a better option if you have a little extra cash to spend.
Who’s the Winner among Netgear R7900 vs R8000
Among the best routers, we pick the R8000 here. There are six beamforming + antennas included as part of the tri-band 3.2Gbps connection to boost range and stability. This computer is equipped with a dual-core processor to improve performance. A wired Ethernet port is available for gamers too.
In addition to its basic features, this router incorporates a number of other technologies. The range of 3,500 square feet is very good, and it works with Alexa. It supports up to 50 simultaneous connections without causing any major lag. In Dynamic QoS, congestion is minimized on one channel, and bandwidth is allocated based on the type of app or user.
Netgear Armor is used to secure this router. WPA2 password encryption, virus and malware protection, DoS prevention, and firewalls are included in this feature. One month of free use is available with this feature. This eliminates the need to pay multiple vendors for security. A comprehensive protection package is provided to you. Additionally, the router can be accessed remotely through the Circle app that allows remote monitoring. Additionally, it includes time-limit and website-filtering options for different derives of parental control.
Data backup is also available through Netgear’s cloud system. In addition to its secure VPN service and Guest Wi-Fi connection, you also get data security to ensure your data does not fall into the wrong hands. The technician is not necessary for the setup. There is an app called Nighthawk that has a simple interface and can be used by anybody. Within five minutes, you are able to start your router when you follow the detailed instructions.
Conclusion
Gamer experience is the top priority in the Nighthawk series. Technology and speed are continually improved and incorporated into each router release. You will find budget-friendly options as well as professional high-grade options. While low-cost products have some performance differences, they are not as significant, especially if you won’t be using them for data-intensive or bandwidth-intensive applications. Thus the R8000 is the superior router when it comes to performance and reliability for the purpose of this article. Those who do not require extra performance can also consider the low-cost R7900.
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