Need advice for new router: QoS/SQM for stable ping gaming on 100Mbps?

[srinoob]

• Home network has 6 APs, 11 Wi-Fi security cameras, 2 switches, a couple of mobile phones and TV clients, 1 laptop and 1 gaming PC
• 100Mbps fiber connection from BBNL
• Router is ancient, Linksys E1200 in need of replacement
• Started looking for info online after getting intermittent periods of unstable ping, packet losses and weird DNS behavior (instantly loads youtube but fails to load duckduckgo and other smaller sites)

While ultimately the root cause may lie elsewhere, I ought to replace the aging router. While digging online I saw mentions of QoS/SQM implementations like CAKE being useful for getting smooth gaming and video call performance out of low bandwidth connections. I know nothing about this and have never messed with router stuff beyond logging into PPPoE, changing DNS server preference and switching a router to bridge mode to act as an AP.

Hoping to get advice on here from those who know more about this stuff:

1. Will CAKE help for gaming on a 100Mbps connection on a network with lots of clients?
2. Are there routers that do QoS/SQM well without needing to install custom firmware like openwrt or freshtomato?
3. Is there more to this topic I need to understand before selecting a router?

Some other notes:

• APs are from different brands; 2x Grandstream, 3x TP-Link and 1x generic one I don't remember right now
• The router sits at a place that's covered by an AP so the new router doesn't need Wi-Fi of its own

Thanks in advance

 

[f0r3he4d]

first thing before using sqm/qos is checking ur bandwidth spikes. how often do u download in full bandwidth and do a latency intensive task at the same time.

 

[srinoob]

It was running fine for 2 years or so. Latency sensitive task at hand is sim racing. I'd get high ping to foreign servers but it didn't matter because the ping was stable and the game's netcode is good. Recently I would get random periods of unstable ping. Didn't find a pattern in the time of day when it occurs. Restarting the router didn't make it go away, but it would go back to normal on its own after a while.

I'm not the only client on the network and don't have a measure of the bandwidth usage. I'm not even sure if this situation is caused by a spike in bandwidth. I'm just assuming because it's a larger than average network on a 100Mbps connection, the bandwidth is the limiting factor. SQM/QoS is only helpful during full bandwidth download + latency intensive task situation? Genuinely asking as I do not know.

Will any new router be fine? I was eyeing the new Mikrotek Hex S (2025). Just wanted to be better informed about this stuff before buying anything.

 

[f0r3he4d]

when u get random periods of unstable pings is it also when there are more people on the network? if yes then sqm can help. if no sqm is not the way and its ur isp. but any who i would recommend you get a good router.

 

[Deleted member 87056]

Loaded latency would be the same even if you implement SQM. For your usecase it's easier to just get a higher bandwidth plan, maybe a 200 or 300 Mbps plan. Just get ACT or Airtel of that's available in your area. Loaded latencies are great on them and you don't need SQM or QoS even if there are a lot of clients. ACT has some plans which gives mesh pods, works great if you have a big house.
Mulitple APs can also cause ping spikes sometimes due to interference. 6 APs are a lot even for a multi storey house.
If you are looking for a good router I would recommend Asus, get a Wifi-6 model and you will be good to go for another 5 years. If you are low on budget checkout the ones from TP-Link but I won't recommend them if you have a lot of clients.

 

[srinoob]

Sadly only BBNL is available where I am. I'll upgrade to their 200Mbps plan. I don't think they have anything higher. Also my gaming PC is on ethernet so I don't think interference is causing the ping spikes. Unless it can still influence wired connections somehow? The reason for so many APs is because it's been hell getting all the security cameras to remain connected. They still disconnect intermittently.
I'll take a look at the Asus Wi-Fi 6 options. The Wi-Fi part will be off though because the area where the router sits is covered by another AP already. Else I'll just go for this Mikrotik Hex S (2025)

 

[f0r3he4d]

u might be able to get bsnl their prices are okayish. i checked bbnl i couldnt see a 200mbit plan. and just a caution if you use 6 aps please turn down the strength of the ap only till what you need.

 

[Deleted member 87056]

You can hardwire your security cameras if they keep getting disconnected.This would save you from those 6 APs, just get a gigabit switch and connect your cameras via LAN cable. It would take some time and effort though.
Facing ping spikes on LAN is definetely your ISPs fault.

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I can see that their website shows plans upto 500 Mbps. Check once with your LCO, if it's a FTTH connection then higher speed plan is possible.

 

[srinoob]

Yeah I suggested hardwired cameras at the start but it wasn't my call to make. Will push for that project another time.
Hmm yeah I suppose a router that was working fine for the last 2 years on the same network wouldn't spontaneously start having lag spikes on ethernet connections... even if it is 12+ years old. Still, wasn't sure, but thanks for reassuring me that it's an ISP issue.
The 500Mbps plans offered are data limited. I also run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 which streams in loads of data, so I don't want to opt out of an unlimited connection. While it is a FTTH (a fiber line does enter the house and connect to an ONT), our layout is a bit remote and underoccupied. I asked for higher speed options and they just replied "200Mbps". I think that's the most they can send this way. Will ask again if more is possible.
Thank you all

 

[Sanemi]

If you have multiple APs and multiple devices connected, you need a good router with enough CPU power to handle the connections without bufferbloat. I would suggest using a Raspberry Pi, NanoPi, or a mini PC (Openwrt/PFSense etc) , depending on your budget