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nitrotang 8.1K Views
Aug 26, 2022 5:18 AM

ASUS ROG Rapture Dual-Band Wireless Gigabit Wi-Fi Gaming Router (GT-AC2900) $101.99

$102

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Cheaper than previous FP deals by at least $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Dual-band-...B07VPL5WP3
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About the Poster
Cheaper than previous FP deals by at least $10.

https://www.amazon.com/Dual-band-...B07VPL5WP3

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25 Comments

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Aug 26, 2022 11:51 AM
166 Comments
Joined Jun 2012
FWFFanAug 26, 2022 11:51 AM
166 Comments
For those curious... No Merlin support
2
1
7
Aug 26, 2022 1:32 PM
601 Comments
Joined Aug 2011
derce927Aug 26, 2022 1:32 PM
601 Comments
Quote from FWFFan View quoted comment :
For those curious... No Merlin support
That's annoying. Was checking on specs and CPU cores
1
Original Poster
Aug 26, 2022 2:56 PM
655 Comments
Joined Jul 2010
nitrotang
Original Poster
Aug 26, 2022 2:56 PM
655 Comments
Quote from FWFFan View quoted comment :
For those curious... No Merlin support
That's not true at all. I bought this in March and have had it up and running with Merlin since with no issues.
1
Aug 26, 2022 2:57 PM
7.3K Comments
Joined May 2006
dealstormAug 26, 2022 2:57 PM
7.3K Comments
They're not wrong - cheaper deal didn't make FP.
Aug 26, 2022 8:56 PM
168 Comments
Joined Oct 2020
DubiousDanAug 26, 2022 8:56 PM
168 Comments
Can confirm, i meshed together two of these flashed with merlin
Aug 26, 2022 9:12 PM
993 Comments
Joined Jul 2018
Jsz0301Aug 26, 2022 9:12 PM
993 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from FWFFan View quoted comment :
For those curious... No Merlin support
It's had merlin for over a year... granted ASUS base firmware has gotten to a point where most people won't even need it. Anyway, this is the best router at the $100 price range (IMO)

4x4 +3x3 AC wave 2 config. Same 28nm A53 dual 1.8ghz as the higher end gen 1 AX routers.

The "Quad" and tri" core models in lower end AX routers are worse and are sort of misleading per how the design works.

AX Gen 2 routers (like GT-AX6000) have a newer updated 16nm cpu @ 2ghz , but the pricing is over the top right now.


2x2 AX routers won't hold a candle for range vs thing this as a single point unit. The AX equivalent to this is going to be priced in the $180-200 range (AX86S).

Edit:

Do not enable 160mhz bonding. It forces 80+80 config and 80mhz clients get cucked on range performance. The 20/40/80 Default mode will out perform most routers (@ this price) at distance, especially for legacy AC.

Throughput will be higher on 160mhz enabled devices, but range is worse. Only compromise is 4x4 AX.

Quote from derce927 View quoted comment :
That's annoying. Was checking on specs and CPU cores
Has the strongest CPU at its price point, I mean unless you get something like a TP link C4000 on clearance (same CPU) for lower (No firmware updates, worse firmware, worse 5G radio).

I've gone through countless routers testing multiple designs and this holds up well.. Currently run an AXE11000 that I got as a sample.
Last edited by Jsz0301 August 26, 2022 at 02:28 PM.
1
Aug 26, 2022 9:43 PM
1K Comments
Joined Feb 2011
schnitterAug 26, 2022 9:43 PM
1K Comments
Quote from FWFFan View quoted comment :
For those curious... No Merlin support
https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/ I see it in the list

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Aug 27, 2022 4:08 AM
124 Comments
Joined Jul 2019
Flyaway718Aug 27, 2022 4:08 AM
124 Comments
How is this compare to TP-Link Tri-Band 7 Stream AX3200 Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Router? Just for basic home wireless use.
Aug 27, 2022 6:29 AM
993 Comments
Joined Jul 2018
Jsz0301Aug 27, 2022 6:29 AM
993 Comments
Quote from Flyaway718 View quoted comment :
How is this compare to TP-Link Tri-Band 7 Stream AX3200 Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Router? Just for basic home wireless use.
Buy both and test (WIFI is highly subjective to environment + clients), but this GT-AC2900 would be the better overall unit IMO.
Aug 27, 2022 6:55 PM
269 Comments
Joined Nov 2011
BeCyAug 27, 2022 6:55 PM
269 Comments
Pass. This is an AC router (last gen).

AX is what you want
1
Aug 27, 2022 8:28 PM
993 Comments
Joined Jul 2018
Jsz0301Aug 27, 2022 8:28 PM
993 Comments
Quote from BeCy View quoted comment :
Pass. This is an AC router (last gen).

AX is what you want
Lol this "AC" router out performs most entry AX stuff at range. You have to spend 2x the cost for comparable performance.
Aug 27, 2022 8:37 PM
2.3K Comments
Joined Jul 2012
cirialAug 27, 2022 8:37 PM
2.3K Comments
Quote from Jsz0301 View quoted comment :
Has the strongest CPU at its price point, I mean unless you get something like a TP link C4000 on clearance (same CPU) for lower (No firmware updates, worse firmware, worse 5G radio).

I've gone through countless routers testing multiple designs and this holds up well.. Currently run an AXE11000 that I got as a sample.
I've had an R7000 for about 8 years. Getting tired of it lately. Would this @ $81 from AWS be functionally superior to my old Netgear?
Aug 27, 2022 8:46 PM
993 Comments
Joined Jul 2018
Jsz0301Aug 27, 2022 8:46 PM
993 Comments
Quote from cirial View quoted comment :
I've had an R7000 for about 8 years. Getting tired of it lately. Would this @ $81 from AWS be functionally superior to my old Netgear?

What do you need exactly?

CPU power on this model is comparable to top end (gen 1) AX routers in terms of VPN/file transfer etc.. Same a53 1.8ghz just the dual core version. The Extra cores (quad core 4908 variant) only help with CPU specific task.. IE: WIFI isn't really impacted.

For WIFI this has a stronger 5G chip (4x4 vs 3x3 on your R7000), though it won't be a "phenomenal" upgrade.

The same way going from 3x3 AC to 2x2 AX is technically a downgrade unless a client/router is absolutely optimized for that specific task. (AC client will be worse more often if power output is identical).

IF you have AX clients, buy a 4x4 AX router. This is just a good compromise of solid hardware at its price point. This is 4x4 Wave 2 AC with a solid A53 CPU still used on higher end stuff.

Firmware is top notch and has security updates. Merlin also supported.
Last edited by Jsz0301 August 27, 2022 at 01:53 PM.
Aug 28, 2022 3:02 AM
885 Comments
Joined Apr 2021
TalentedHaddock257Aug 28, 2022 3:02 AM
885 Comments
Quote from cirial View quoted comment :
I've had an R7000 for about 8 years. Getting tired of it lately. Would this @ $81 from AWS be functionally superior to my old Netgear?
I have an R7000 running with XVortex - a Merlin mod. You can re-use it as a Mesh node if you bother installing XVortex.
Quote from Jsz0301 View quoted comment :
What do you need exactly?

CPU power on this model is comparable to top end (gen 1) AX routers in terms of VPN/file transfer etc.. Same a53 1.8ghz just the dual core version. The Extra cores (quad core 4908 variant) only help with CPU specific task.. IE: WIFI isn't really impacted.

For WIFI this has a stronger 5G chip (4x4 vs 3x3 on your R7000), though it won't be a "phenomenal" upgrade.

The same way going from 3x3 AC to 2x2 AX is technically a downgrade unless a client/router is absolutely optimized for that specific task. (AC client will be worse more often if power output is identical).

IF you have AX clients, buy a 4x4 AX router. This is just a good compromise of solid hardware at its price point. This is 4x4 Wave 2 AC with a solid A53 CPU still used on higher end stuff.

Firmware is top notch and has security updates. Merlin also supported.
I have an ATT AX router/fiber gateway which all my high speed clients connect to on the 5Ghz band, it seems to have 2 bands, hi & low 5Ghz. 2.4 Ghz is disabled on this one. Then the packets go to R7000/Merlin(XVortex) which gets the same external IP. R7000 deals with any and all slower clients, giving out loads of IP addresses on both 5 & 2.4 bands. A couple of old RT-N routers with Tomato elsewhere connect as bridges to R7000 on 5Ghz band, and split of 2.4 Ghz channels. I keep 2.4 Ghz channels narrow (20 Mhz) to get range and not to step on each other too much, I have bunches of neighbors with 2.4 Ghz channels too. InSSider is your friend here.

I still would like AC86u like this one to get (a) better performance with Trend Micro client protection turned on; (b) to do a router based OpenVPN to a FastestVPN server to offload that from my aged laptop. Have been fence sitting though - so far it's more like an aspiration Smilie

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Aug 28, 2022 5:05 AM
993 Comments
Joined Jul 2018
Jsz0301Aug 28, 2022 5:05 AM
993 Comments
Quote from TalentedHaddock257 View quoted comment :
I have an R7000 running with XVortex - a Merlin mod. You can re-use it as a Mesh node if you bother installing XVortex.

I have an ATT AX router/fiber gateway which all my high speed clients connect to on the 5Ghz band, it seems to have 2 bands, hi & low 5Ghz. 2.4 Ghz is disabled on this one. Then the packets go to R7000/Merlin(XVortex) which gets the same external IP. R7000 deals with any and all slower clients, giving out loads of IP addresses on both 5 & 2.4 bands. A couple of old RT-N routers with Tomato elsewhere connect as bridges to R7000 on 5Ghz band, and split of 2.4 Ghz channels. I keep 2.4 Ghz channels narrow (20 Mhz) to get range and not to step on each other too much, I have bunches of neighbors with 2.4 Ghz channels too. InSSider is your friend here.

I still would like AC86u like this one to get (a) better performance with Trend Micro client protection turned on; (b) to do a router based OpenVPN to a FastestVPN server to offload that from my aged laptop. Have been fence sitting though - so far it's more like an aspiration
Can always return it? Smilie


GT-AC2900 @ $102 USD is quite possible the best value in wireless routers ATM.


Like I said before, only upgrade from this is 4x4 AX.. for radio performance.
Last edited by Jsz0301 August 27, 2022 at 10:07 PM.

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