expired Posted by devilkamal • Jul 14, 2022
Jul 14, 2022 1:49 PM
Item 1 of 1
expired Posted by devilkamal • Jul 14, 2022
Jul 14, 2022 1:49 PM
TP-Link Tri-Band 7 Stream AX3200 Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Router� | Costco $119.99
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I missed it in Dec Jan but then bought it around Mar Apr. It's still in unopened sealed box. Haven't even had the time to setup yet.
I missed it in Dec Jan but then bought it around Mar Apr. It's still in unopened sealed box. Haven't even had the time to setup yet.
i just realized how crippled my 15 year old router was and we're due for an upgrade
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The main SoC is found in low end stuff and isn't even a quad core. It's a dual core A7 @1.5ghz with radio processor factored into the mix. (Also 1.5ghz A7). Relatively the higher end BCM stuff has dedicated main CPU + processors on the radios themselves. Meaning stuff like AX86U is a "6 core" if playing by the same metrics.
The only decent radio is the BCM43684, but again, its disabled to run @ 64QAM instead of 4x4 @ 1024 (max spec).. unii1 (low channel block) is gonna be weaker since power output isn't full 1W but 666mW per FCC. Was made for Costco to sell at a lower price point opposed to a higher end "AX6600" platform sharing the design.
I rather buy something with a little more Omph but I'm biased and invested into WIFI hardware from a design perspective.
Basically. its a low end AX1800 router with 2.5G port and a 3rd channel running a heavily crippled 4x4 radio.
Edit:The 2.5G port is Kinda funny, but makes sense if sharing AX90 PCB. Radio is QAM nerfed. You'll barely push over 1GBPS on a connection. Especially factoring how shitty the BCM43684 can be in specific environments.
Edit 2: I didn't see the antenna layout differences. Seems to be running 3 outputs instead of 4 on SoC portion (2x2 2.4 and 5G). The BCM43684 is running 3 external + 1 internal antenna.
The main SoC is found in low end stuff and isn't even a quad core. It's a dual core A7 @1.5ghz with radio processor factored into the mix. (Also 1.5ghz A7). Relatively the higher end BCM stuff has dedicated main CPU + processors on the radios themselves. Meaning stuff like AX86U is a "6 core" if playing by the same metrics.
The only decent radio is the BCM43684, but again, its disabled to run @ 64QAM instead of 4x4 @ 1024 (max spec).. unii1 (low channel block) is gonna be weaker since power output isn't full 1W but 666mW per FCC. Was made for Costco to sell at a lower price point opposed to a higher end "AX6600" platform sharing the design.
I rather buy something with a little more Omph but I'm biased and invested into WIFI hardware from a design perspective.
Basically. its a low end AX1800 router with 2.5G port and a 3rd channel running a heavily crippled 4x4 radio.
Edit:The 2.5G port is Kinda funny, but makes sense if sharing AX90 PCB. Radio is QAM nerfed. You'll barely push over 1GBPS on a connection. Especially factoring how shitty the BCM43684 can be in specific environments.
Edit 2: I didn't see the antenna layout differences. Seems to be running 3 outputs instead of 4 on SoC portion (2x2 2.4 and 5G). The BCM43684 is running 3 external + 1 internal antenna.
For example. I have a GT-AC2900 (Newegg is selling this for $115 USD right now) that beats out my AXE11000 on certain 5G channels.. But this is more or less my environment, not a set in stone fact.
Not exactly recommending that you buy a last gen router either, but the pricing for hardware/cost is coming down. I see no reason to buy into lower end platforms such as this one.. Which I guess is my main critique.
There's also a factor of gen 2 AX hardware replacing older designs. MSRPs and market prices are going to be wonky for a bit.
For example. I have a GT-AC2900 (Newegg is selling this for $115 USD right now) that beats out my AXE11000 on certain 5G channels.. But this is more or less my environment, not a set in stone fact.
Not exactly recommending that you buy a last gen router either, but the pricing for hardware/cost is coming down. I see no reason to buy into lower end platforms such as this one.. Which I guess is my main critique.
There's also a factor of gen 2 AX hardware replacing older designs. MSRPs and market prices are going to be wonky for a bit.
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https://fccid.io/MSQ-RTACRH00
I'm biased to ASUS routers, but most of the ones i'd suggest are full price in the $200 area right now. You could grab the 4x4 AC GT-AC2900 ($115 at newegg) and likely be quite happy, but if you want to "future proof" I would wait until something like a AX68U or AX86U/S goes on sale for a good price relative to MSRP. IE.. AX68U for 100-120.. AX86S for 160-180, AX86U for 200-220.
There's a RAX35 Netgear router for $50 bucks ATM at Walmart. full 1w power, though its only 2x2 radio design..granted AX. Should be fine for your needs, but a lot of people seem to have trouble with it.
You can read through this thread.
https://slickdeals.net/f/15901033-netgear-nighthawk-ax3000-wifi-6-router-3gbps-rax35-49?p=156248122#
It's pretty much the AX58U on Netgear's end. Power output and everything are identical. Missing a USB port.
If it doesn't work out, just return it to walmart. You got 30 days.. my2c.
Edit: AX68U vs GT-AC2900 is a toss up for me personally. The stronger AC radio is nice to have for legacy clients. AX68 is only 3x3 on 5G.
AX86S and or AX86U is a full generation upgrade to the AC86U/GT-AC2900. All of these share the same CPU platform and are basically ASUS' most stable routers and best selling. (hence multiple SKU's).
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