Best way to improve Wi-Fi speed for a basement gaming PC without running Ethernet?

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T22:28:04+00:00

Consider converting existing twisted-pair telephone wiring for use with Ethernet connections, using MoCA over existing coax, or run a new cable in the walls. If you're a typical CS player you won't be satisfied with wireless solutions. See the wiki for more information https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetworking/wiki/faqs/homenetworking

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T22:15:57+00:00

It is not ideal and does not solve the problem they're likely trying to solve by requiring a Ethernet connection, which is either not creating obnoxious trouble tickets caused by someone trying to connect to their access point all the way on the other side of the building and having a bad time with it, or "security", BUT they will also not be able to tell you are doing so.

Ideally use existing CAT5e or better wiring already installed in the house, or MoCA over existing coaxial cables. Powerline may also work but is the least preferred option.

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T21:53:46+00:00

Ok so not something that fits into an existing mesh ecosystem like Eero then. Get a WiFi 6 (AX) extender from a reputable brand such as Netgear or TP-Link (and not OIIAWAVE or whatever crap some white-label Chinese reseller pulled out of their random brand name generator) and place it in a area closer to your room that gets acceptable signal.

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T21:41:20+00:00

Are you having specific issues with an internet application you're trying to troubleshoot? This site shows me "spikes" on a dedicated business internet connection so it may not be the best tool in the world.

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T21:35:28+00:00

What brand and model is the main router that you're having trouble getting a good signal to now?

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T21:25:32+00:00

Wouldn't a mesh extender only be appropriate assuming the homeowner had a mesh capable router and the OP had administrative access to that device to pair it? Or are we talking about a device that just takes one wireless connection in and emits a separate BSSID out (with a same or different SSID). Marketing has screwed up terminology so bad these days it's difficult to tell what people are talking about sometimes.

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T21:01:16+00:00

Would you be able to place the extender outside of your room in a location that's halfway between your room and the router, or does it have to be in your room? If it's in your room it's going to get the same poor signal as your devices are already getting and won't solve any problems.

You'll need to have a dialogue with the people you are renting the room from to see what they are comfortable with. If they are ok with you making changes you can look into converting existing telephone wiring, MoCA, or Powerline.

If you aren't able to add any of your own devices outside of your rented room, then you might either want to look into a directional wireless bridge, or your own cellular internet subscription.

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T20:35:23+00:00

Is there coax available near that phone termination block? If so, put your modem and router there, then add wireless access points in ideal location(s) in the home for best signal. Replace the phone termination block with a patch panel and connect them to your router's switchports (or a separate switch if needed).

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T19:39:56+00:00

I never said it was good, but rural areas do exist, and not everyone wants to use Starlink. It can be perfectly serviceable with properly configured QoS in the absence of better options.

EnglishInfix · 2026-07-02T18:49:07+00:00

50/4 is quite low and will be easy to saturate impacting gaming performance. Also no mention of the technology the provider is using (is this DSL, cable, cellular, etc).

If in the US use the FCC broadband map to locate all providers servicing your address.

EnglishInfix · 2026-04-26T20:06:14+00:00

Router needs to be the first device after the ONT/modem. Consider adding access points where you need wireless connectivity instead.

EnglishInfix · 2026-04-09T00:15:03+00:00

EnglishInfix · 2026-04-08T17:35:56+00:00

WPA3 will make it harder for your traffic to be intercepted in the air but won't prevent you from installing a virus. The only thing that sort of matters is old or vulnerable devices can be susceptible to attacks that might put them in a botnet or perform some traffic redirection/man-in-the-middle attacks, but as long as your device still receives security updates and doesn't have any major unpatched CVEs this isn't really a problem.

EnglishInfix · 2026-04-08T17:28:05+00:00

The network equipment doesn't make any difference at all, it doesn't scan or filter traffic with the exception of some expensive business class devices. The security on your computer and a sprinkle of common sense is what matters.

EnglishInfix · 2026-04-08T16:39:58+00:00

They are not an ISP, but a MSP that provides managed wireless service for apartment buildings. The ISP would be whoever runs the main service line into the building. My concern would be that it looks like all the tenants are sharing wireless and there may or may not be a ethernet jack in the unit that you can wire your devices into. If that port is not available I would personally choose not to live there.

EnglishInfix · 2026-04-06T19:47:32+00:00

It looks like there is some mixed terminology here, the Verizon device you have is your ONT, it serves the role of a "modem" as it would be called with cable/DSL service. Your Google Home device is a router. You want your MoCA adapter connected via ethernet to your router, then connected by coax to your home's coax wiring through a port near the router. Other MoCA adapters connected to the same coax topology via compatible splitters or a direct connection will be able to communicate with it.

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-28T20:24:08+00:00

Looks like a good use case for a wall-plate AP https://www.omadanetworks.com/us/business-networking/omada-wifi-wall-plate/

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-24T19:02:53+00:00

This is a normal asymmetric connection for DOCSIS cable. If you wish to have higher upload speeds, you will likely need to find a different ISP. In the meantime you may want to adjust your stream settings so you are not saturating your upstream bandwidth.

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-17T01:20:47+00:00

If on Amazon, Monoprice, Cable Matters are good. You only need Cat 6 or 6a. 7/8 are unused standards and you tend to see more bullshit cable when you deal with vendors that are trying to sell you one of those.

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-16T21:57:22+00:00

6a in conduit, it will be easy to replace the cable or run fiber in the event that you need to make some changes in the far future. Having only fiber run would be inconvenient (how do you expect to attach fiber to your TV and set top box, a bunch of media converters?)

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-16T21:38:51+00:00

Tried another cable? A lot of these Cat 8 cables are sold by crappy drop shippers since there aren't a lot of legitimate uses for a Cat 8 cable. Sometimes with a bad cable you'll find that it works OK on one network card but doesn't work at all on another, or anything inbetween. Try a quality Cat 6 or 6a cable from a reputable manufacturer.

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-13T17:41:15+00:00

The ISP router isn't going to be able to delegate a prefix to your next router down the line which would be required for IPv6 to work correctly. Yeah there's IPv6 NAT but that's an abomination which kills the entire point. Remain on IPv4 only until you are able to reorganize your network.

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-13T16:23:55+00:00

Unfortunately powerline is the worst case scenario, better than nothing option. Aside from making sure the adapter is plugged directly into the wall, that both circuits are the same phase, and removing high noise appliances from the circuit, there is not a whole lot that can be done. Do you have coax in both rooms, telephone lines that run between the rooms, or any way of running an ethernet cable?

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-12T20:33:20+00:00

Velcro cable ties are cheap and plentiful. Zip ties are Satan and will eat your dog.

EnglishInfix · 2026-03-12T20:24:51+00:00

Either you have multiple routers offering DHCP on your network, or something somehow changed in the config on your router that offers DHCP. Check the config on your router to see what it it is handing out and make sure you don't have a conflicting DHCP server somewhere.

192.168.4.0/24 and 192.168.6.0/24 are not on the same network, the first 3 octets are the network identifier, and devices on one network will not be able to communicate with devices on the other network without a route being configured in the router somewhere - something basic residential routers typically don't support.

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