Nighthawk X6 vs ASUS RT-3100

[Project9xrs]

Hey guys,

As you can tell I'm new, so bare with me. I'm trying to decide (of course) between these two models (rt-3100 is similar to ac88u). I did check the wifi comparison between the models on here and still trying to decide. Before any comments go why you doing this comparison?

1. I got approved for a Best Buy card and store is literally down the street.
2. Close price 279.99 vs 299.99 (price is not an option) but heard good things

My breakdown:

• 200 up / 20 down I will be getting google fiber.
• Modem 6183
• Roughly 4-5 Devices connected at the same time overall have 9 devices at home.
• I do play games a lot

I want something that will fast, reliable, and stable. Trying to buy something from best buy right now. If there is something better let me know. Would love and appreciate some input. Thanks!

 

[pete y testing]

you cant really compare the x6 to the 3100 as they are different classes of wifi

x6 r8000 is a tri band 600M + 1300M + 1300M gen 1 wireless router

the 3100 is a dual band 1000M + 2167M gen 2 wireless router

the 3100 is also far better in cpu speed and ram size

you can compare the chipsets below


https://wikidevi.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AC3100

https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Netgear_R8000

and

https://wikidevi.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AC68U

netgear dont make a dual band router like the 3100 the closest they come is the x8

the x8 is a tri band 100M = 2200M + 2200M gen 2 wireless router

this compares to the asus rt-ac5300

at this stage i dont think best buy sell ether of these

 

[Project9xrs]

Yeah I know, I'm just asking which would be better the asus dual band or x6 tri-band. Even then though the comparison is way off what would be your suggestion?

 

[pete y testing]

the 3100 is pretty good but quite young firmware wise , the r8000 has been around for a while and isnt that impressive , you really only need the rt-ac68u but it just depends on how much money you are willing to throw at your next wireless router and what you gain from it , im currently running the asus rt-ac3200 and its pretty dam good but in most areas that matter its just the same as the rt-ac68u

my next jump will prob be into the 5300ac class simply because its got link aggregation and i just got me a NAS with the same aggregation feature

so as to your question i would suggest sticking with asus as the firmware is so much better and far more flexible , if money isnt an object get the best available but as i said it doesnt look like the 5300ac class is available at best buy yet

 

[Tucu]

Have you read http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...2896-will-a-new-ac-router-bring-you-wifi-joy? Most people will be better served by an AC1900 class router and additional access points installed in places where the router signal doesn't reach.

 

[avtella]

you cant really compare the x6 to the 3100 as they are different classes of wifi

x6 r8000 is a tri band 600M + 1300M + 1300M gen 1 wireless router

the 3100 is a dual band 1000M + 2167M gen 2 wireless router

the 3100 is also far better in cpu speed and ram size

you can compare the chipsets below


https://wikidevi.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AC3100

https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Netgear_R8000

and

https://wikidevi.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AC68U

netgear dont make a dual band router like the 3100 the closest they come is the x8

the x8 is a tri band 100M = 2200M + 2200M gen 2 wireless router

this compares to the asus rt-ac5300

at this stage i dont think best buy sell ether of these

I would look at the AC3100 as pretty much an AC2500 in real world use. Also if CPU is that important I would rather get a Qualcomm based one if going for a 4x4 router, the IPQ8064/5 are much more powerful even at the same clock speeds as their Broadcom counterparts.

All the gimmicks aside OP is probably most better served by an older AC1900 as others mentioned or an AC3200 if he has lots of devices, regardless of brand choice/preference, as even MU-MIMO on 4x4 routers won't be very useful with new mobile devices and laptops mostly having 2x2 antennas.