Solved guide me on which merlin 3006.102.4 router should i buy - if...

[consorts]

hi gang, long time no post my rt3100 is dying, so i finally need to replace it.
i suspect after we got 2024-24 smart tv's, the old girl simply couldn't keep up.

sorry to bother merlin people with what could be an asus question
but i really want something merlin does, in case asus fw flakes out.

my asks are;
2.4+5ghz distance penetration range from a centralized router
NYC same 2000sqft floor, with lots of 80yo 1" thick plaster walls
main + 3 guest ssid (i do not need different ones for each radio)
survive in no airflow hallway closet (see temps from old rt3100)
we don't game, just stream tv and video chat over our cellphones.
I used to nas and vpn, but no more need for much of that either.

I'm thinking to play it safe with an AX86U_PRO
or take a risk on BE92U, then minimize the 6ghz.

I will never need 2.5gb-10gb isp, that stuff is insane,
we've been 300mb and will never need >960mb isp.

 

[bbunge]

RT-AX86U Pro. Don't go to WIFI 7 unless you need it. And that is really need it!

 

[Tech9]

my rt3100 is dying

I would replace it with RT-AX88U Pro. It may give you better range than RT-AX86U Pro and is the same form factor as your old router - direct replacement. Usually a bit more expensive, but with better 2.4GHz radio.

 

[consorts]

I would replace it with RT-AX88U Pro.

thanks i noticed the AX88U, but was concerned that it may not dissipate heat as well as the AX86U fatter casing may. i tie 50lbs fishing line to the far end of any router and hang it on my closet wall (clear of any other obstructions) like a picture frame. i use the USB port on the router to power a small DC case fan (which i attach using tie wraps thru the fan casing screw hole) to keep air moving beyond the usual heat rising convection.

 

[Tech9]

may not dissipate heat as well

Both have the same CPU and RT-AX88U Pro has larger case and larger heatsink inside.

RT-AX86U Pro:

RT-AX88U Pro:

Pictures taken from Sam's Tech Reviews tear down videos.

 

[consorts]

RT-AX88U Pro... with better 2.4GHz radio.

thank you for taking the time to post photos. i think 88u pro is paying for dual wan i'll never need, and other office (not home) features. i do wonder what made you say the 2.4 is better since from what i can tell, both are 2x2 2.4 and 4x4 5.0, it's just the 86u hides the 4th antenna inside it's case while the 88u has it external.

 

[Tech9]

from what i can tell

Hardware specifications:

RT-AX86U Pro - Tech Specs｜WiFi Routers｜ASUS Canada

AX5700 Dual Band WiFi 6 Gaming Router, Mobile Game Mode, AiProtection Pro, WPA3, Parental Control, Mesh WiFi support, 2.5G Port, Gaming Port, Adaptive QoS, Port Forwarding

www.asus.com

RT-AX88U Pro - Tech Specs｜WiFi Routers｜ASUS Canada

AX6000 Dual Band WiFi 6 Router, Dual 2.5G Port, 2.0 GHz Quad-core CPU, AiProtection Pro, WPA3, Parental Control, Mesh WiFi support, Adaptive QoS, Port Forwarding, WAN aggregation, free network security and AiMesh support

www.asus.com

I can't do your homework...
RT-AX88U Pro is the model I would replace RT-AC3100 with. Take it as an advice or leave it. Good luck!

 

[SomeWhereOverTheRainBow]

hi gang, long time no post my rt3100 is dying, so i finally need to replace it.
i suspect after we got 2024-24 smart tv's, the old girl simply couldn't keep up.

sorry to bother merlin people with what could be an asus question
but i really want something merlin does, in case asus fw flakes out.

my asks are;
2.4+5ghz distance penetration range from a centralized router
NYC same 2000sqft floor, with lots of 80yo 1" thick plaster walls
main + 3 guest ssid (i do not need different ones for each radio)
survive in no airflow hallway closet (see temps from old rt3100)
we don't game, just stream tv and video chat over our cellphones.
I used to nas and vpn, but no more need for much of that either.

I'm thinking to play it safe with an AX86U_PRO
or take a risk on BE92U, then minimize the 6ghz.

I will never need 2.5gb-10gb isp, that stuff is insane,
we've been 300mb and will never need >960mb isp.

I am thinking you should go all out. I have been eyeing this one for a while -- https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Rapture-Gaming-Router-GT-AXE16000/dp/B09Z792WWF?tag=snbforums-20 . This could definitely penetrate those 1'' thick plaster walls, but seriously though you should really consider @Tech9 suggestion. I am in a similar living situation as you with probably those same plaster wall style. However, my walls are much thicker, and on the inside is really thick wooden support structures. I only say @Tech9 suggestion is solid because of the square-footage, and the type of airtime fairness you would want for all those cellular video calls if they are made over wifi.

 

[RMerlin]

I like the RT-AX88U_PRO because it has a pair of multigig ports.

 

[SomeWhereOverTheRainBow]

I like the RT-AX88U_PRO because it has a pair of multigig ports.

Same. I have mine configured with those multigig ports.

 

[KevTech]

Once I upgraded to 2 gig internet I found I needed more than just two multigig ports so went with this.

 

[128bit]

thanks i noticed the AX88U, but was concerned that it may not dissipate heat as well as the AX86U fatter casing may. i tie 50lbs fishing line to the far end of any router and hang it on my closet wall (clear of any other obstructions) like a picture frame. i use the USB port on the router to power a small DC case fan (which i attach using tie wraps thru the fan casing screw hole) to keep air moving beyond the usual heat rising convection.

i roll with the 88u pro. it's a beast! my mesh node is the rog gt-ax6000. at one point, they were swapped, in as much as the ax6000 was the main router with the 88u pro serving as a meshed node. tests, made it clear that the stronger performer was the 88u pro, hence it's now the alpha dog. mind you, this setup serves a 3100 sq ft 2 story with one client on the other side of a brick wall.

now i "hear" your concern about thermals. i'd say unfounded and here's why. my 88u is in a 16" x 13" x 12" closed cabinet with one 2' diameter hole for cables - so air flow about non-existent! 3 of the 4 lan ports are used and it typically has 10 - 15 wifi clients running. 2 of those clients are 4k firesticks. look it doesn't even get warm to the touch; all this while it pumps audio most of the day from a 2g nas ssd to a denon receiver.

similar to u, my needs are likely met for the foreseeable cause my isp provides a 1g hose which is overkill for my needs. i found my ax88u pro used in january on amazon for about $160 - well worth every penny. good luck finding one under $200 these days. it's a sleeper. btw, the rog gt-ax6000 is by no means a slouch. you may want to consider that as well but it's dog ugly.

 

[RMerlin]

Once I upgraded to 2 gig internet I found I needed more than just two multigig ports so went with this.

View attachment 66753

Once you have one for your WAN and one for your LAN, it's easy to plug a multigig switch to it to connect all your LAN devices no matter how many you have. It's what I do here, all my LAN devices are connected to a switch rather than the router itself. 2.5 Gbps switch have become quite cheaper last year. And it's nice not having the entire LAN going down when rebooting the router.

 

[kuchkovsky]

Once I upgraded to 2 gig internet I found I needed more than just two multigig ports so went with this.

View attachment 66753

Yeah, that’s the reason why I decided to upgrade to the RT-BE88U - because of its much better multigig port configuration. Of course, buying a switch was also an option, but good switches with good reviews were pretty expensive (relative to the router’s price), and this setup is bulkier anyway. I like to have everything in a single device.

 

[Tech9]

I recommend the slightly more expensive model because the existing RT-AC3100 has excellent range from BCM4366 radios. It's hard to beat and RT-AX88U Pro gives the OP a chance to get at least the same range as before. I had RT-AC88U and RT-AC86U in my hands before, they were similar. I also had RT-AX88U and RT-AX86U, the former was better. I see regularly reports from users RT-AX88U Pro is also better than RT-AX86U Pro. The OP is not interested in fast ports, but they want single router.

 

[KevTech]

Once you have one for your WAN and one for your LAN, it's easy to plug a multigig switch

That is what I had when I used the XT12 which is now my backup router.

 

[MDM]

Just so you know RT-AX88U Pro and GT-AX6000 are identical twins hardware wise, just the looks differ so whichever one is cheaper...

 

[RMerlin]

Yeah, that’s the reason why I decided to upgrade to the RT-BE88U - because of its much better multigig port configuration. Of course, buying a switch was also an option, but good switches with good reviews were pretty expensive (relative to the router’s price), and this setup is bulkier anyway. I like to have everything in a single device.

No need to overpay for a switch. If you don't need management, then get whatever cheap switch you can find on Amazon. I have an 8 ports 2.5 Gbps and an 8 ports + PoE 2.5 Gbps from two different random chinese brands off Amazon. They were half the price of a similar TP-Link (and probably a third of the price for the PoE one), and they both work just fine.

 

[consorts]

I see regularly reports from users RT-AX88U Pro is also better than RT-AX86U Pro.

thanks everyone for chiming in. please don't be annoyed I questioned any generously offered advice as I have simply been watching from the sidelines for years till my 10yo AC finally showed it's age. I hold the group think from regular contributors here in high regard. I'm glad there still was no support for going wifi7 in merlin'land once you read my "wish list". I'm glad there was no descent over the AX88U Pro choice, despite it being way over spec'd and at the high end of my budget.

I somehow got lucky and scored a brand new unit direct from Asus for $220 free ground ship plus state tax and could put it on my credit card so I won't feel this kick in the nuts all at once. I checked price history tools and know these were selling new for less, but that's in the past, time to buy smart for the next 5-10 years of wifi to keep my 4 adults (many home school or work from home) and their "what's your guest pw" friends happy. my only regret is buying before wifi7 had matured.

 

[consorts]

i roll with the 88u pro

a special thank you for posting anecdotal information on your 88u pro use. people so often get hung up on out spec'ing each other, that they neglect to talk about how the tech was being applied. thick plaster wall dwellers have to advocate for each other, when most of the review we read are by laboratory environment conditions.

just adding this for posterity a bit of insight for people trying to go with one centralized router, instead of a bunch of pucks. it's a good idea to put some free wifi signal measuring app on your phone, then spend a few hours relocating your router, walking around all the rooms looking for weak spots, then trying a new location till most readings improve on average. i did that back when i first installed the ac3100 and we ended up finding that the wifi center of our home was a closet, which i had to later electrify so i could plug other stuff inside (like the isp's ont or modem, ups, nas) and hang it all up out of the way of normal daily closet use. there are plenty of "common sense" obstacles you need to angle around, but it's not the wall plaster layers or wood slats used in post ww2 apt bldgs, it's more about being aware of; plumbing risers, electric risers, cinderblock walls, hallway fire rated doors, bathtubs, metal plaster wall edges, metal door frames, laundry appliances and kitchen appliances. one of the simplest ways to avoid half of these signal blockers is to mount your router about head height on a wall, because if you leave it sitting desk height as most think to do, all those metal cabinet items around your home will block signal. as for your upstairs neighbor, just lock in a specific frequency range (we use 11(20) & 161(80) and stay with it as you may find most of your 8 potential wifi neighbors leave their own routers on auto-frequency select, so by sticking to your one set, most of their routers will eventually work themselves around yours.