GT-AX6000 or RT-AX88U PRO

[TheLostSwede]

I would rather get another GT. Both routers are the same hardware anyway.

Identical units will be running on exactly the same firmware and will be updated at the same time.

It's not identical, they use the same SoC, but plenty other parts are different.

 

[Tech9]

It doesn't matter, the performance is identical. I would still prefer 2x identical units for AiMesh.

 

[TheLostSwede]

It doesn't matter, the performance is identical. I would still prefer 2x identical units for AiMesh.

Actually, it's not, but it's very close. Then again, even two units of the same router rarely have identical performance.

 

[Tech9]

I’m pretty sure testing multiple times the same router will also generate similar differences in results. My suggestion is about identical units only. AiMesh runs best with identical units running the same firmware, wired.

 

[RMerlin]

Unless testing in an isolated test chamber, results will always vary just because of outside interference. That's why you see the larger variance in that chart is on the 2.4 GHz band for instance.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Unless testing in an isolated test chamber, results will always vary just because of outside interference. That's why you see the larger variance in that chart is on the 2.4 GHz band for instance.

The GT-AX6000 seems to come out worse in the 2.4 GHz band tests in just about every test I have seen.
On the other hand, it appears to have a really good 5 GHz radio/band. Even in my own case, I have better signal everywhere in our flat on the 5 GHz band compared to the 2.4 GHz band.

 

[VANT]

After all, even in the chart you posted, it's the other way around and GT wins in most tests. But as RMerlin wrote, only sterile and identical conditions could provide reliable results (including the same FW used for testing). On the other hand, both devices are practically identical, the differences are only in the FEM elements used for the 2.4 radio. The 5GHz section is identical.

 

[TheLostSwede]

After all, even in the chart you posted, it's the other way around and GT wins in most tests. But as RMerlin wrote, only sterile and identical conditions could provide reliable results (including the same FW used for testing). On the other hand, both devices are practically identical, the differences are only in the FEM elements used for the 2.4 radio. The 5GHz section is identical.

I guess it helps if I read properly...
Even so, I have unimpressive 2.4 GHz range on mine.

And yes, I have been testing routers under development using a similar setup to SNB with the octoScope boxes to make sure there was no outside interference.

There are more difference than that, but they shouldn't affect the WiFi performance. However, the antennas are quite different, at least when it comes to the external design, even if it's mostly just extra plastic that shouldn't have any real affect on the WiFi signal.

 

[Tech9]

Even so, I have unimpressive 2.4 GHz range on mine.

Europe, up to 20dBm or 100mW on 2.4GHz band.

Another reason to watch the region of whoever is reviewing or advertising something Wi-Fi related.

 

[hancox]

One weird vote for the 6000...

I got mine open box from Amazon - i don't think it was ever unwrapped.

What I think happened: User 1 opened box, shrieked, wrapped up, and sent back.

If you can take similar advantage of open box "shriek" pricing like me, it's a steal.

 

[Viktor Jaep]

One weird vote for the 6000...

I got mine open box from Amazon - i don't think it was ever unwrapped.

What I think happened: User 1 opened box, shrieked, wrapped up, and sent back.

If you can take similar advantage of open box "shriek" pricing like me, it's a steal.

That could very well have been @Tech9 ... he believes they closely resemble a "facehugger"... I wouldn't doubt he could have sent it back in that state! LOL

 

[bluzfanmr1]

That could very well have been @Tech9 ... he believes they closely resemble a "facehugger"... I wouldn't doubt he could have sent it back in that state! LOL

My GT-AX6000 always reminds me of the sculpture from the movie Beetlejuice. I like the look of the router myself.

 

[Tech9]

That could very well have been @Tech9 ...

Not mine. Routers in my hands rarely stay virgin... I mean non examined internally.

Around here GT-AX6000 is often available as "open box" for the reasons we already know.

 

[Roy2002]

I remember they are exactly the same. Pickup the lower priced one, but AX6000 looks cool to me.

 

[maxbraketorque]

One weird vote for the 6000...

I got mine open box from Amazon - i don't think it was ever unwrapped.

What I think happened: User 1 opened box, shrieked, wrapped up, and sent back.

If you can take similar advantage of open box "shriek" pricing like me, it's a steal.

Same thing for my two open-box GT-AX6000s from Amazon.

 

[128bit]

old thread, i know but fwiw, my rog gt-6000 has now been relegated to mesh service. the ax88u pro is more powerful and with vlan more useful. in fairness, at one time, they were both running with merlin-ware (3004). where the gt6 was king. on a goof, i decided to swap roles; couldn't turn-around for the difference though (a southern adage).
recently, swapped them back after upgrading to 3006 (stock). rinse and repeat with the ax88u pro. the pro was demonstrably better as the main, especially with reach. as a result, the 5ghz connected gt6 now provides superb mesh service to clients on the first floor - a thing of beauty. when merlin's 3006 releases, i'll retest. not a fan of the clunky fusion ui although it has improved.

commentary: our lg tv's are 802.11ac and we could care less about our cells. all the tv's use firesticks running 6/6e now and tv service is much improved. NOT due to the network mind you, but because they are the "max" models with more ram. the additional ram seems to make all the difference in the world. if you're a firestick user - highly recommend.

 

[OzarkEdge]

commentary: our lg tv's are 802.11ac and we could care less about our cells. all the tv's use firesticks running 6/6e now and tv service is much improved. NOT due to the network mind you, but because they are the "max" models with more ram. the additional ram seems to make all the difference in the world. if you're a firestick user - highly recommend.

Most of the non-Max models have their default RAM consumed by the privacy invasionware.

/commentary

OE

 

[maxbraketorque]

old thread, i know but fwiw, my rog gt-6000 has now been relegated to mesh service. the ax88u pro is more powerful and with vlan more useful. in fairness, at one time, they were both running with merlin-ware (3004). where the gt6 was king. on a goof, i decided to swap roles; couldn't turn-around for the difference though (a southern adage).
recently, swapped them back after upgrading to 3006 (stock). rinse and repeat with the ax88u pro. the pro was demonstrably better as the main, especially with reach. as a result, the 5ghz connected gt6 now provides superb mesh service to clients on the first floor - a thing of beauty. when merlin's 3006 releases, i'll retest. not a fan of the clunky fusion ui although it has improved.

...

I'm surprised you see any difference in range between the GT-AX6000 and the AX88U Pro. Hardware-wise, the two devices are essentially identical.

 

[128bit]

I'm surprised you see any difference in range between the GT-AX6000 and the AX88U Pro. Hardware-wise, the two devices are essentially identical.

. . . no one more surprised than me, frankly! fwiw, both routers were placed in the exact same location - an enclosed wood cabinet on the 2nd floor. i didn't "measure" per se, but a true test for my environ is with a client attached to an outside wall on the lower floor.
the gt failed on the 5g band and was very weak/intermittent on the 2.4 while the pro came through with both radios. this test was done standalone - no mesh.
i could see where one may believe that the gt may have a weak amp and it may, but as a meshed node, the gt put my now retired ax86u to shame. signal strength is close to double according to firestick test results.