Asus ax58u box v1 vs v2

[Serigraphist]

I see a difference in the box for this ax58U model. Can you tell me which of these models supports Merlin firmware? Thank you!

 

[Deleted member 84281]

Only Ver1 is supported by Merlin. It should be on the box what version it is. Version 1 is getting hard to find so if you want Merlin support choose wisely.

 

[Tech9]

The one that says "Broadcom Quad-Core 1.7GHz" is V2 - no Asuswrt-Merlin support. The other one can be V1 or V2, check the label.

 

[Serigraphist]

Cleared. I read that only v1 supports this firmware. I found these models on the marketplace and since it's hard to communicate with someone who doesn't know what I'm looking for, it's easier to tell the difference at the box! If the moderator considers it unnecessary, it can be deleted!
Thank you guys!

 

[Tech9]

The box with no information on it doesn't guarantee V1 router inside. In general - avoid this model. It may lose Asuswrt-Merlin support soon. It's not only weak hardware, but also locked in firmware to AX3000-class. The same hardware is used for AX5400-class models like RT-AX82U. The cheapest Asuswrt-Merlin supported router I would be looking at is RT-AX86S with RT-AX86U option if the budget allows.

 

[Nickos]

OK. I don't have the box, sticker, or original charger - how do I tell them apart? )

 

[ColinTaylor]

OK. I don't have the box, sticker, or original charger - how do I tell them apart? )

Check the label on the router itself. V1 has an FCC ID of MSQ-RTAXJ300, whereas V2 is MSQ-RTAX5000 (and it says "Model: RT-AX58U V2" ).

Alternatively look at the Network Map > System Status page whilst it's operational. V1 has 3 CPU cores whereas V2 has 4.

 

[iTheMask]

Why Asus released second revision of the hardware in the first place with the same model name? So even online listing won't show whether it's v1 or v2
Also is it the CPU change behind Asuswrt Merlin not supporting it, or Asus made something in the hardware that caused incompatibility?

 

[Tech9]

Why Asus released second revision of the hardware in the first place with the same model name?

This is common practice with many manufacturers. The reasons behind may be chip shortages, cost optimization, newer silicon with fixes, marketing for popular models, etc. You probably know ASUS RT-AC68U had multiple hardware revisions and variants. It was very popular at the time and still used today. Remember TP-Link Archer C7? It was also very popular, currently on V5, still manufactured today. Many other examples of same model name with different hardware revision.

Also is it the CPU change behind Asuswrt Merlin not supporting it, or Asus made something in the hardware that caused incompatibility?

As you perhaps already know V2 is supported by GNUton with an official Asuswrt-Merlin fork.

GitHub - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng: Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers

Extends the support of Merlin firmware to more ASUS routers - gnuton/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com