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If you have a wireless N router, will it only go at N speeds if every computer supports it?

Like, if I get an N router, would a wireless-N capable machine communicate faster, even if older wireless-G machines are using the router at the same time? Or must it slow down because there’s a slower standard in the group?

PS: Are xbox 360 wifi thingees wireless-G or N?

3 comments to If you have a wireless N router, will it only go at N speeds if every computer supports it?

  • Dalton C

    Xbox’s adapter is Wireless-G

    And In order for it to be N, both sides have to support it: (Example given: Wireless N router to Wireless N network card in laptop)

    If a laptop is wireless G, then that particular laptop will only get G speeds. But others on the same network that support N will still get N.

    Each wireless connection is individual, so they don’t all have to meet the same standards.

  • Slim J

    If you have an N-network, and a G-Radio enters that air space, then the network does in fact throttle down to G-Radio speed. Wireless routers/access points are more like hubs. In the old days you could have a 10/100 hub, but if a 10 only device connected, the whole device operated at 10.

    Indeed, if everything operated at the N standard in the network, yes they would all be faster. As soon as that G-Radio enters and participates in that air space, then the network will slow because of the lower standard.

  • annorax64

    No, the presence of wireless-G and wireless-B network adapters on a wireless-N network will not force the network to run at those slower speeds. Wireless-N network adapter connections will still run at about normal wireless-N speeds.