Major Slow Down After Switching From G to N Router

Question

I have a Macbook 13" alum notebook, late 2008, running 10.5.8. My old Linksys WRT54G router 2.4 ghz died a few weeks ago. I replaced it with a new Belkin N150 after the sales rep said I would receive faster response at greater range. Prior to it's demise, my Linksys ran screaming fast and I had no range issues. I have a small home, a raised ranch, and the router is downstairs. Since installing the new Belkin, my Mac runs really slow, often not full loading pages at all - little blue ?s where photos should be. I called Belkin 2 x as well as my ISP. We confirmed I am getting the max signal from my ISP on my laptop and my hardwired IMac.
I read another thread here stating that the higher N signal has problems going through walls/floors. Any advice I could get from anyone on this issue would be truly appreciated!

Answer 1

Before giving up on the Belkin, I suggest downloading a copy of iStumbler. We want to use iStumbler's Inspector feature (select Edit > Inspector from iStumbler's menu). You will use Inspector to determine the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at different points around your house. Within the Inspector, note the values for "signal" & "noise" at these locations. Start with your MacBook near the Belkin router, note the readings, and then, choose the locations where you will typically use your MacBook to access the Internet.
SNR is the signal level (in dBm) minus the noise level (in dBm). For example, a signal level of -53dBm measured near an access point and typical noise level of -90dBm yields a SNR of 37dB, a healthy value for wireless LANs.
The SNR, as measured from the MacBook, decreases as the range to the base station increases because of applicable free space loss. Also an increase in RF interference from microwave ovens and cordless phones, which increases the noise level, also decreases SNR.
SNR Guideline
o 40dB+ SNR = Excellent signal
o 25dB to 40dB SNR = Very good signal
o 15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal
o 10dB to 15dB SNR = Very low signal
o 5dB to 10dB SNR = No signal
If the SNR is 25dB+ at each of these locations, then you should be getting reasonable performance from your Belkin. If less, either try to locate the source of the Wi-Fi interference or try relocating either the router or the wireless clients until they are within a 25+dB SNR range.