I need to get a new router since mine is an ancient 7 years old. I was looking around and was thinking of getting the TP-Link AXE5400 . I then found out you can build your own. I saw that you can use an old computer, which I have 2 of. One PC is an AMD FX-8120 and the other is an AMD A4-5000. Does it make sense to build your own router for a medium to small house with 600mbps and wanting to use steam link and Meta Air Link?
It’s important to recall that most “consumer routers” are a router with a built-in wireless access point. When you buy one, you’re paying extra for the 2-in-1 capabilities, and I would go so far as to say that the overwhelming majority of the price of a router comes down to its wireless capabilities. Note that the ability to configure the router is just not something most people are looking for, and you will find many, if not most, consumer routers to be lacking in this regard.
So, if you’re building a router yourself, you can distribute the network in whatever way you see fit, which may or may not (but probably will) include a WAP. This gives you a lot more flexibility, and may be ever so slightly more cost-effective, but don’t go into it expecting to save a ton of money.