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Asus rt-n66u needs replacing, what are the current recommendations?

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Briant73

Regular Contributor
I am hoping to find some help in replacing my RT-N66U router (warranty refurbished replacement for my original 66u) that is starting to get a bit flaky (have tried reset and different firmwares). What would be a good router to purchase now to replace it?

ISP speed 50/5 (down/up)
I have a mix of wired and and wireless clients. From cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart devices, and computers. I would estimate 25-35 clients. Typical things used - web browsing, video games (ps4 and computer), streaming music and video.
Two story house 2000-2300 sq feet (counting finished basement).

Some things I look for
Range
Reliability
Performance
Manageability

I have not used my router with storage to create a NAS.

Look forward to recommendations before my n66u bites the dust.
 
sm00thpapa said:
RT-AC68P $179.99 at Best Buy currently.
Click to expand...
My footer below says it all... ;)

But here are the details behind it: an AC68U for feature and CPU performance plus a N66U for range are a perfect couple! :)
 
joegreat said:
My footer below says it all... ;)

But here are the details behind it: an AC68U for feature and CPU performance plus a N66U for range are a perfect couple! :)
Click to expand...

I went with the 68P for the higher CPU. Not sure if it makes a difference. My 66U is cascaded off the 68P. So basically the same set up as you.
 
I have read the netgear r7000 is a competitor to the 68u/p models is that the case? I had an r7000 awhile ago but it didn't seem to work right and the FW was a bit simplistic so I sent it back.
 
Briant73 said:
I have read the netgear r7000 is a competitor to the 68u/p models is that the case? I had an r7000 awhile ago but it didn't seem to work right and the FW was a bit simplistic so I sent it back.
Click to expand...
Your 2nd sentence give the answer to the question... :eek:

It's all about firmware: Asus is doing a great job to update and enhance the firmware, plus Merlin does a even greater job (he is alone!) to add features on top of Asus and to fix remaining issues! :rolleyes:
 
Thanks all, I see Asus 3100 is also coming out which sounds like a successor of sorts to the 68u, my question is if I can keep my 66u working for a bit longer is it worth waiting to see what reviews say about the 3100 unit?
 
Briant73 said:
Thanks all, I see Asus 3100 is also coming out which sounds like a successor of sorts to the 68u, my question is if I can keep my 66u working for a bit longer is it worth waiting to see what reviews say about the 3100 unit?
Click to expand...

If it fits within your budget, yes. :)
 
Briant73 said:
I have read the netgear r7000 is a competitor to the 68u/p models is that the case? I had an r7000 awhile ago but it didn't seem to work right and the FW was a bit simplistic so I sent it back.
Click to expand...

Yes, OEM firmware is a bit simplistic these days. The current OEM philosophy seems to be to put out firmware with minimal features, and leave it to third party firmware developers (RMerlin, dd-wrt, tomato, OpenWRT, XVortex) to add in the interesting, useful stuff *smile*. And, in the case of RMerlin, make the features that they add work well *smile*. With my R7000, I find that dd-wrt, tomato, and XVortex all work very well.

The R7000 is a really nice piece of hardware, all it takes is the right firmware to make it an outstanding router. And that firmware is out there, although not written by Netgear.
 
Thanks for the responses, if I need a router today I will check for the 68p or R7000 but it seems both NetGear and Asus are releasing a lot of new routers this winter so I'm hoping to keep my 66u going for a bit longer to see what the reviews say about those units.

Also the other night I completely reset the router and loaded RmerlinFork 15e5 so far it's been better than it was with no loss of wireless and/or internet connection.
 
Last edited:
last two non-AC, ASUS routers I've used just work with factory firmware. No hangs/reboots.
One is the predecessor: RT-N56U. It runs with 19 or more clients (wired/wireless) but only 2 present loads. The others are light-use.
 
Last edited:
Update - Found the ac68u for a good price today and decided to order it. I will have it later this week.

Now the next question which FW (stock, rmerlin, fork) to try out which I posted in the Asus area.
 
Last edited:
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