Modems & Routers in Apartments

[Pepper-Mint]

Hello!

So I live with my roommate in a somewhat larger apartment complex and we are currently just using the modem out ISP (Cox) provided. I moved my PC to my room, which is 2 rooms and a wall away, and my already iffy connection tanked to 2 bars at best.

I already suspected my on-board WiFi chip was shit, but this is the worst.
YES I know Google exists, but I struggle navigating through what's just an advertisement/paid review versus honesty.

The modem can't move because of where the line comes through, and ethernet is not reasonably possible, so!

I wanted opinions from anyone here who may live/lived in an apartment and what worked best. I just want to be able to play online with a friend and stick under 50ish ping, I'm not a competitive player.

I tried adjusting channels, priorities, etc.. so it definitely is hardware at this point.

I totally forgot what my onboard chip is, I'll check when I get home, and ISP provided equipment is usually trash, we were just short on funds at the time.

[j03]

Hello!

So I live with my roommate in a somewhat larger apartment complex and we are currently just using the modem out ISP (Cox) provided. I moved my PC to my room, which is 2 rooms and a wall away, and my already iffy connection tanked to 2 bars at best.

I already suspected my on-board WiFi chip was shit, but this is the worst.
YES I know Google exists, but I struggle navigating through what's just an advertisement/paid review versus honesty.

The modem can't move because of where the line comes through, and ethernet is not reasonably possible, so!

I wanted opinions from anyone here who may live/lived in an apartment and what worked best. I just want to be able to play online with a friend and stick under 50ish ping, I'm not a competitive player.

I tried adjusting channels, priorities, etc.. so it definitely is hardware at this point.

I totally forgot what my onboard chip is, I'll check when I get home, and ISP provided equipment is usually trash, we were just short on funds at the time.

Have you looked into WiFi extenders? Google (Nest Wifi) has their own but it's a little pricey.

(you need an account to see links)

[Hawk]

Could always upgrade to a sattelite set from Orbi or Nest.

It would separate your router from your Modem, which would give you better performance, and then you could have a sattelite in your room to hook an Ethernet cord to instead of being stuck using a janky wifi chip. a system like that creates a "Mesh" network which essentially creates a more consistent signal via the whole apartment, rather than just extending a weak signal.

[Pepper-Mint]

Have you looked into WiFi extenders? Google (Nest Wifi) has their own but it's a little pricey.

(you need an account to see links)

I looked at these before, but my apartment is only a little under 1,100sqft, so I wasn't sure if they'd be worth it.

Could always upgrade to a sattelite set from Orbi or Nest.

It would separate your router from your Modem, which would give you better performance, and then you could have a sattelite in your room to hook an Ethernet cord to instead of being stuck using a janky wifi chip. a system like that creates a "Mesh" network which essentially creates a more consistent signal via the whole apartment, rather than just extending a weak signal.

I didn't realize you could connect via ethernet though! That would save me the problem of buying a new chip or something else. But I do still use the network provided modem and was told I should buy a new one and just return that leased equipment first...

That's two big expenses, possibly. 🤔

[Cinnamoroll]

What is your internet plan speed? Like, what speed do you pay for?

As Joe suggested, a wifi extender. But remember that if your existing modem/router equipment and ISP plan can only handle certain speeds, that will be your limitation regardless of anything.
I used to live in an 1000~ apartment and I had 300mbps internet and got an extender as I found in the bedroom it had a hard time reaching and the router was on the opposite side by the living room.

[Pepper-Mint]

What is your internet plan speed? Like, what speed do you pay for?

As Joe suggested, a wifi extender. But remember that if your existing modem/router equipment and ISP plan can only handle certain speeds, that will be your limitation regardless of anything.
I used to live in an 1000~ apartment and I had 300mbps internet and got an extender as I found in the bedroom it had a hard time reaching and the router was on the opposite side by the living room.

My plan's down is 250 and up is 10 (mbps.)

My latest speed test from where I am sitting now:
5.54 down and 0.75 up.

It looks like extenders are going to be my best option, because the setup you described is my exact one as well.