Amazon has ASUS AC2900 Dual Band Gigabit WiFi Gaming Router (RT-AC86U) for $99.99. Shipping is free.
Connector Type : USB
Dual-band (2.4 plus 5 GHz) AC2900 wireless router with the latest 802. 11AC MU-MIMO technology for data transfer speeds up to 2900 Mbps
1.8GHz 32bit dual-core processor optimizes network traffic and connectivity speeds from the USB 3. 1 Gen1 and 4x Gigabit LAN ports
Designed for lag-free online gaming and flawless 4K UHD streaming with WTFast game Accelerator and adaptive QoS; Product Segment: AC2900 ultimate AC performance: 750 plus 2167 Mbps
A protection powered by Trend Micro provides built-in 24/7 protection from external attacks and threats, neutralizing them before they reach your network or connected devices. DC Output : 19 V with max. 1.75 A current
Manage your network with the ASUS router app – setup your network, manage usage and parental controls, even get instant notifications about important network-based events. Connected devices must be 802. 11 ac-compatible for best results. Ac input: 110v240v(5060hz)
https://www.amazon.com/Dual-band-...B0752FD3XJ
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Otherwise, excellent router. Most buyers of routers won't be able to fully utilize AX speeds yet because their devices aren't at the AX level. These AC86U might even be better at other things (distance, number of device connections, etc.) so not all ASUS AX routers will be 'better' (outside of the AX) than this router. They might not be as good (e.g. AX58U).
Everyone of course would liike to futureproof, but many people might not be using AX speeds on their devices in 2-3 years. By then, AX routers will be even better and cheaper and they can pay another $100-$150 and get a second or replacement.
The AC86U line is really good, but due to the internal design and cramped space, those reported heat build-up issues (and downshifting speeds as a result) are concerning.
Also with the AX68U at $140, most people aren't AX-ready and the 86-line is better than the 68-line, so I'm not sure if it's worth the $40 (or $50 compared to the ROG model) upgrade.
Lastly, the ROG AC86U is $89.99 ($10 less). Any thoughts on the comparison? I assume it's also Merlin compatible.
Otherwise, excellent router. Most buyers of routers won't be able to fully utilize AX speeds yet because their devices aren't at the AX level. These AC86U might even be better at other things (distance, number of device connections, etc.) so not all ASUS AX routers will be 'better' (outside of the AX) than this router. They might not be as good (e.g. AX58U).
Everyone of course would liike to futureproof, but many people might not be using AX speeds on their devices in 2-3 years. By then, AX routers will be even better and cheaper and they can pay another $100-$150 and get a second or replacement.
The AC86U line is really good, but due to the internal design and cramped space, those reported heat build-up issues (and downshifting speeds as a result) are concerning.
Also with the AX68U at $140, most people aren't AX-ready and the 86-line is better than the 68-line, so I'm not sure if it's worth the $40 (or $50 compared to the ROG model) upgrade.
Lastly, the ROG AC86U is $89.99 ($10 less). Any thoughts on the comparison? I assume it's also Merlin compatible.
And yes AX58U is weak for general wall penetration due to 2x2 MIMO, granted WIFI isn't static and you have to test routers subjectively.. even very high end ones.
A couple of AX advantages include:
1) Lower SNR with AX clients, granted a 4x4 router like the AC86U/GT-AC2900 can function as a media bridge and have even lower SNR than a 2x2 intel client. It's really subjective to what HW is being used.
2) Faster Radio CPUs that can handle more clients. The Older BCM4366E tends to bottleneck over 50 concurrent users while the Gen 1 AX BCM43684 radio can handle around 60-80 before being stressed. Cant comment on Gen 2 radios like the 6715, but there's likely a slight speed bump over gen 1.
Clocks on A7 Radio design should be 800mhz (AC w2) > 1.5ghz (AX gen1) > 1.7ghz? (AX gen2)
AX86S for example has a better 4x4 main radio, otherwise its the same general component choice as the AX68U. AX86U adds RAM/Quadcore processor (Doesn't really impact client count/radio, but more so CPU layered features) and a 2.5G port.
I've used a GT-AC2900 for 2.5Years..No issues. Was very solid in my environment with 30-40 active clients. AX86S would be the AX upgrade variant that can handle twice the client count.
$89 is a solid price. 2 of these in wired backhaul will get you better performance than most single point AX solutions.
2x AX86S (or better) are obv superior, but you're paying more to compensate.
I still have a feeling, from the recent buyer comments on Amazon, and from various networking sites, that the internal design and components are almost the same (regardless of the country of origin) to cause heat issues. Many escape failures by the fact that at higher temperatures, this unit reduces it processing power to cool down. Many are experiencing that. However, even in a recent buyer comment, there's the chance that they purchased older inventory from a marketplace seller I suppose. There are a significant number of failures in the past 12 months of buyers, but it is try that we don't know their exact configurations and usages.
Some recent comments from network sites on this router:
I still have a feeling, from the recent buyer comments on Amazon, and from various networking sites, that the internal design and components are almost the same (regardless of the country of origin) to cause heat issues. Many escape failures by the fact that at higher temperatures, this unit reduces it processing power to cool down. Many are experiencing that. However, even in a recent buyer comment, there's the chance that they purchased older inventory from a marketplace seller I suppose. There are a significant number of failures in the past 12 months of buyers, but it is try that we don't know their exact configurations and usages.
Some recent comments from network sites on this router:
The AX86U and the AX86S (and some others) don't seem to have those issues. Strangely, not all owners experience issues, or those issues are mitigated by the fact that the software is resolving the overheating by slowing down functions.
They are identical EE design, though the Vietnam model might have some slight improvements and or has a more mature TSMC 28nm node for main CPU. The older BCM4366E(used for 5G) and BCM4365E (used for 2.4G) also most likely run hotter relatively speaking.
My experience with this design only comes from the Taiwanese GT-AC2900 with a different exhaust frame and special black PCB (More layers?). There is a likelihood that the QC is a bit higher for a RoG product.
Form factor wise, the AX86S/U has more restrictive venting over my GT-AC2900 and the GT-AC2900 does put out more heat with my hand over the back, though it's not major and I never had an overheating issue in 2.5 years. That's in a house with a thermostat set to 79 degrees F.
Both the AC2900 and AX86S share the same 4906 dual core A53. AX86U is 4908. (Both CPU models are apart of the AC wave 2 platform design). Extra heat likely comes from older Radio being stressed and the AC86U being more restrictive vent wise.
Anyway.. Still a solid deal for 89.99. The GT-AC2900 supports 160mhz, but limits the radio into 2x2 + 2x2 mode for 160mhz (unii1+extended).
I do not recommend 160mhz mode on this router as clients that connect to normal 80mhz blocks will have a weaker signal and lose SNR from higher bonding. 80mhz 4x4 is the correct setting.
AX86S will provide a full 80/160mhz 4x4 experience on unii1+extended, though SNR is obviously worse on 160mhz. AX>AX client nullifies this disadvantage.
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Supports 160mhz in 2x2 + 2x2 bonding on 36-64, AC86U does not. (Wouldn't recommend using regardless, 80mhz 4x4 is superior).
I would personally skip AX68U and go straight to AX86S with a best buy trade in. Rather have 4x4 MIMO. (I'm clearly biased).
Just better long term if you want to use your old router as a media bridge for a full 4x4 connection across large distances (plugs in via LAN cable and acts as an overpowered WIFI card).
GT-AC2900 will also will work with turbo QAM when connected to a 4x4 AX router for a full 2166mbps 80mhz link if going that route..
Edit: GT-AC2900 will also likely work better with legacy AC clients/environments (vs AX68U) due to the fact that you're not getting SNR advantages from having AX HW. It's 4x4 vs 3x3.
AX68U will be a tad more capable on the concurrent user end as a trade off. (Newer/faster radios).
AX86S is the direct AC86U/GT-AC2900 replacement with updated radios, though it does lack RAM. (latest 388 update kind of cucked the AX86S. Consumes 380mb with default SW layer config).
AX86U is overpriced.. Should be closer to $200 at this point, especially since there are massive sales on GT-AX6000... And the fact that Amazon/Netgear is selling a QCA 8x8 + 4x4 router for only $225..
Regarding the differences, here are some interesting advice tips for some:
Entry-level, Good, Better, and Best: RT-AC86U, RT-AX68U, RT-AX88U, RT-AX86U.
https://www.snbforums.c
One nice feature on the ROG 86U version is that the stand can also be used on the wall. Nice.
The 86U ROG version became a front page at $90; yet the regular 86U isn't see as good of a deal at $100. It's only $10 difference, and may not suffer the same distane issues. But maybe ROG fans really liked it.
Trying to find if the AX68U has hardware encryption for VPNs. I assume it does, but that would make a difference to me. Against that is reading the hardware accelaration isn't compatible with WireGuard, unless something has changed.
Environment plays a huge role for alternative designs.. I just recently purchased a GT-AX6000 (BCM GEN 2 AX) and it was pushing worse PHY rates than my older GT-AC2900 through walls. An AX86S I purchased to mess around with matches and exceeds my older GT-AC2900.
A GT-AC2900 performing worse than a AC86U could a a number of things.. IE: Auto channel selection being higher or lower due to interference from neighbors or maybe the person testing it simply got a worse performing radio.
Review sites should be avoided like the plague. They will never have accurate results aligning with your purchase. Dongknowstech for example only test via LoS. His results are pretty hilarious if you've messed with multiple routers and MIMO configs in a standard home with walls.
Higgins at SNB tries to be objective, but his tests also won't translate to real world as environment, channels, interference, tolerance all play a major role. He can only give a general Idea, but a worse product he tested could be better for you subjectively.
What you can do is purchases the best MIMO config with Max FCC power limit and test multiple designs. This will give you a better idea of what works better.
I'll confirm that the GT-AC2900 isn't a downgrade over the AC86U, but rather, you're playing with RNG when selecting and purchasing WIFI units.
I would still skip AX68U... 4x4 5G MIMO will cover more devices equally well at longer distance.. Where 3x3 AX is more or less the upgrade from later gen 3x3 AC with max FCC 1W limit.
Like I said, legacy AC will benefit from the GT-AC2900/AC86U/AX86S/U in more situations.
AX68U can likely handle more clients (vs AC86U/GT-AC2900), though I don't really have an idea of how the 6710 radio works in regards to clock speed.
Please don't take anything I say or anyone who says something on SNB as fact though. Test yourself!
I would recommend that you go for something like with higher RAM though. 1GB really makes a difference for heavy CPU use.
- AC86U
- GT-AC2900
- AX68U
- AX86S
All use the 4906 with different Radio configs.Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
https://www.asus.com/networking-i...ax86u-pro/
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