Wireless Performance - 5 GHz, Two Stream

Figure 4 shows the retested wireless Performance Table for 5 GHz. Downlink numbers are definitely higher, along with some uplink. But the D-Link DIR-665 still performs better as signal levels drop.

Figure 4: Wireless performance table - 5 GHz, 2 stream - retest

Figure 5 shows the IxChariot plots for 5 GHz, 20 MHz mode downlink. Throughput seems a bit more stable. But you can see some large spikes and drops, even in the strongest-signal Location A plot.

Figure 5: NETGEAR WNDR4500 IxChariot plot summary - 5 GHz, 20 MHz mode, downlink, 2 stream - retest

Here are links to the other 5 GHz, two stream plots for your reference.

• 5 GHz / 20 MHz uplink
• 5 GHz / 20 MHz up and downlink
• 5 GHz / 40 MHz downlink
• 5 GHz / 40 MHz uplink
• 5 GHz / 40 MHz up and downlink

Closing Thoughts

Even with better two-stream performance, my bottom line on the WNDR4500 hasn't changed. The WNDR4500's overall performance just isn't head-and-shoulders above everyone else's. And I really think NETGEAR messed up by giving it a subset of the features of its less-expensive WNDR3800 sibling.

If you don't need three-stream N, you can give the WNDR4500 a pass. If you're set on a high-end NETGEAR router, the WNDR3800 would be your choice for features and the WNDR4000 for performance.