Best adsl router chipset?

I am thinking of upgrading and am curious what the current thinking is in regard to the best chipset in a adsl modem to connect to BT's ADSL Max products? I know that not two routers are all alike. Sometime back I read that the chipset in Speedtouch routers was really good. I'm just looking for a plain adsl modem with a few built in ethernet ports, no built in wifi, etc.

People will have their own views as to which is best. Could you please supply some line stats? If you have a perfect line, a tin can and some wet string will work well. The crunch comes with less-than-perfect lines.

Cheers

DrT

downstream:

noise margin downstream: 9 db
output power upstream: 11 db
attenuation downstream: 33 db

upstream:
noise margin upstream: 24 db
output power downstream: 19 db
attenuation upstream: 21 db

Currently synced at: 6880

Modem State               : SHOWTIME_L0

Remote Report             : Showtime

Last Failure              :  

Time Connected            : 35:25:11

Modulation                : G.dmt

Rate Us/Ds (Kbps)         :  832 6848

Cap. Occupation Us/Ds (%) :   93   99

Noise Margin Us/Ds (dB)   :   12   12

Attenuation Us/Ds (dB)    :   14   25

Output Power Us/Ds (dBm)  :   12   20

FEC Errors Us/Ds          :  248  224

CRC Errors Us/Ds          :    2   89

HEC Errors Us/Ds          :    2   67

Driver Version            : 0.9.3

Firmware Version          : PCI-AML-1-0.4-0.1.0.10

ADSL: status ATM ready, modem state SHOWTIME L0, US rate 831Kbits/s, DS rate 6847Kbits/s

Current speed: US 0Kbits/s,DS 0Kbits/s

Current speed: US 0Kbits/s,DS 0Kbits/s

Bridged: 00:c0:4c:7f:dc:2e

AAL5: tx 966964 ( 0 err ), rx 1093609 ( 0 err, 0 drop )

AAL0: tx 0 ( 0 err ), rx 0 ( 0 err, 0 drop )

I'm on a line with a DLM enforced Downstream 12dB SNR. The above figures were obtained from a BeWAN PCIst modem.
When I connect a SMC 7904WBRA-N router (purchased from PCWorld) to the same line, I get the following (apologies for the lack of formatting);

Status:

Line Status

SHOWTIME

============Configured=========Current

Link Type======== --- =========== Interleave Path 

Data Rate:

Actual Data Rate 

Up Stream 832 (Kbps.) 

Down Stream 8128 (Kbps.)

Noise Margin=============Attenuation

Upstream 13 dB ========== 13 dB

Downstream 13 dB ======= 26 dB

As can be seen , the line is interleaved (even though I paid NewNet for it to be switched off). Therefore, the SMC is breaking the rules/specification in BT SIN 386, as the max sync rate should be 7616kbps. However, it works!

Good Luck!

Although it's got wireless as well as 4 LAN ports, I reckon this takes some beating at the moment. Make sure you get the version 4 though. It has the same chipset as the Speedtouch but most people seem to agree it has a better browser user interface.

John.

Thanks for that. People seem to indicate that the Thomson Speedtouch has the best chipset for working on long lines. Whilst my line isn't that long, if I am going to upgrade routers I figure I might as well put in a modem/router that will get the most out of the line. Every little bit helps I figure if you aren't getting a full 8mb sync!

The performance of the Home Hub which seems to be poor on long lines and is actually a Thomson box speaks volumes, i.e. it is not just the chipset but all the other components and software that control really how the modem performs.

Not Quite what you asked for but here's a comparison of routers on ADSL2+

http://adsl24.co.uk/hardware_test.php

Speedtouch routers seem to come out top.

That's very helpful. I think I'm going to go Speedtouch. Thanks.

Interesting question!

I used to have a stable connection of over 3500 sync with an SNR of 6 with my Westell 2400 but then things got flakey after something like 4 years of good but fluctuating SNR of around the 6 mark.

Well BT got on the case and my sync dropped lke a stone with Interleaving turned on and an snr of 15. BT man paid a site visit and said my line passes all his tests so the ISP suggested a router change is the only thing to try now - went for the Netgear DG834Gv3 (v3 was 'best' as v4 seemed to be getting varied press as to how good it was on long lines).

So after weeks a return to my "original" service has still yet to be achieved but at the moment I am at 3136 with an average snr of 7. Oh forgot to say my Line Att is 54 - this was reported as 57 by the old Westell and if I recall the BT engineer also got 54 on his kit.

My line possibly has an undergorund fault that needs resolving but I also think the automated line management has changed and is more "critical" of fluctuations. The old Westell used to hold the line like a leech whatever the varaitions, so was it really starting to fail or has my problem all along been down to a line fault or the line management control being changed???