Comments on: D-Link DGL-4300 Wireless Gaming Router Review

By: Andres C

Andres C — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:01:23 +0000

@Jake: The DGL-4500 is "better" in the sense that it is new technology. It is an 802.11n router, the 4300 is 802.11g with a transfer of 108Mbps with compatible hardware.

The 4300 is $85 after rebate on Amazon.com, the 4500 is $150 after rebate on Amazon.com as well. I have owned both, they both work amazingly well. I used the 4300 with Xbox Live via wireless and now use the 4500 wired because my new place is wired with ethernet cables. However, my PS3 and laptops works very well on wireless achieveing the max speed provided my ISP.

I have personally had horrible issues with Linksys in the past and will never use their products again. If you have the money and feel you will use all the technology provided by the 4500, then go for it. It is also "cool" becuase it has an external LED screen with connection information, clock, etc. (but then again, where is your router? Mine is in the close so don't get to see the screen much).

Both work well with Xbox Live and other wireless devices, it all depends on the features you need and how much you want to pay for it. Do research on both prices and features. I personally paid $100 for the 4500 because I had Reward Zone coupons from Best Buy, but I'd say it is worth the full price... and even more with rebates being offered. The router has been up at my place, in the closet, since day one and I have not had to even go look at it because of how rock solid and stable it is. Same with configuration and set up, although port forwarding is a little weird becuase they call that section Gaming, but their Help section on the router config tool is very good if you have questions.

Both are top notch devices!

By: Jake

Jake — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:24:27 +0000

Is the newer DGL-4500 better? I have three wireless laptops and an xbox 360 running xbox live. I had a Linksys but the NAT on it would barely ever come off of Moderate no matter what I did with it, even though it was on Xbox’s list of compatible routers. So should I go with the DGL-4300 or 4500? And is the 4500 compatible with live? It isn’t currently on the xbox.com list of compatible routers.

By: Andres C

Andres C — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:47:47 +0000

@Bigstah: While I am in the minority, I had a horrible experience with Linksys and swore off their products. When you say you are not a hard core user, do you mean in gaming or in general?

If you do game, you can probably pick up the DGL-4300 for cheap since the DGL-4500 is now out.

If you don't game, then you are probably better off with a cheaper D-Link router. I set up one for my dad and the thing has been up since I installed it years ago.

By: Bigstah

Bigstah — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:36:45 +0000

Can anyone tell me if i am not a hard core user would it be good to buy a linksys or would you still prefer the d-link dgl 4300.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:12:10 +0000

The greatest gaming adapter ever made.

By: SpudgeBoy

SpudgeBoy — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:51:35 +0000

I’m more interested in which ones have a faster cpu and are the most efficient.

That would be this router.

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:48:02 +0000

If you’re supporting 4 devices, spend the money. Get this router. You will save hours of research. It’s the only public consumer router I can find that will perform w/o spending 2x the price. Why? Hardware. More specifically? RAM. A common problem, say with the Linksys WRT54G series, is after v3 they nerfed the RAM. Linksys works great with Linux, but not with the 4/16 RAM(which is installed on most v4 Linksys routers) as opposed to the 8/32 RAM.

Save yourself the headache and invest in this. Not only does it work wonders with games, but it also works great with all other internet applications.

By: Karl

Karl — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:20:02 +0000

I cant work out how to create a rule for Xbox 360 console to prioritize the internet traffic.
ie. what do i ACTUALLY put for the Protocol, Source IP Range, Source Port Range, Destination IP Range and Destination Port Range?

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 19:47:33 +0000

I just upgraded the newest firmware for my DGL 4300. It is version 1.8. Should I do the same thing or something different. Also do I need to download all the previous upgrades.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 04:20:30 +0000

I don’t really understand what makes this router better. I understand the prioritizing packets might make it better if you were useing other connections at the same time, but I think most of us xbox live gamers make sure there is nothing else useing bandwidth on our network when we are playing on live. Especially those who care enough about it to switch routers for the best one. I’m more interested in which ones have a faster cpu and are the most efficient.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:09:09 +0000

I am curious to see if there have been any other routers you tested that did NOT perform well with XBox live. I am a home network consultant and I frequently am asked to buy / install routers for families taht have xboxes and I would like to make sure I can recommend the best router for them and more importantly, stay away from the routers that will be bad. Thanks for a good review.

Jason