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RT-AC68U / RT-AC68P / RT-AC1900 / RT-AC1900P

Discussion in 'ASUS AC Routers & Adapters' started by wouterv, Nov 19, 2016.

Page 1 of 14
  1. wouterv

    wouterv Very Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2013
    Messages:
    1,065
    This post is a little wrap up of lot of post regarding the RT-AC68 and RT-AC1900 series router.

    Below tables are compiled from currently available information I have:

    upload_2018-12-27_10-3-15.png

    FW => .380 indicates 3.0.0.4.380 or higher, with an updated SDK is required.

    For further reference, here a comparison of popular Asus 802.11ac routers:

    upload_2018-12-27_10-3-36.png

    For those who can't decide, here is some good information about router-number madness.
    An opinion about MU-MIMO is written here.

    Post revisions:
    1. W suffix added: U = Universal, R = Reseller, W = White case
    2. Amplifier type for A1 and A2 corrected.
    3. E1 CPU added, 802.11ac router comparison table added.
    4. Both tables updated based on the RT-AC1900P review.
    5. RT-AC68A added.
    6. RT-AC68A firmware note added.
    7. GT-AC5300 added in the router comparison table.
    8. TM-AC1900 added.
    9. Updated info RT-AC68P and TM-AC1900.
    10. RT-AC86U added (RT-AC68U style package).
    11. RT-AC66U-B1 added (RT-AC68U in a "flat pack", a really enhanced version of the original RT-AC66U).
    12. MU-MIMO link added.
    13. RT-AC68U hardware B2 added (awaiting more details).
    14. AiMesh and Smart Connect support added to the second table.
    15. RT-AC1900U added (awaiting more details).
    16. TM-AC1900 Clock speed corrected.
    17. RT-AC68U hardware B2 updated.
    18. RT-AC1900U details added.
    Resources and related posts (much more was written):
    http://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac68u-reporting-1-ghz-cpu.29183/
    http://www.snbforums.com/threads/upgrade-from-ac68u-to-ac5300-worth-it.35675/#post-290781
    http://www.snbforums.com/threads/should-i-upgrade-from-my-rt-ac87u-go-with-the-rt-ac1900p-v3.34748/
    http://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac68u-not-bad.35615/
    http://www.snbforums.com/threads/have-any-body-heard-of-this-model-asus-rt-ac68a.31354/page-12
    http://www.snbforums.com/threads/as...ireless-ac1900-gigabit-router-reviewed.36368/
    https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac86u-hit-the-fcc.38770/
    https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac66u-b1-difference-between-hw-ver-a1-and-b1.38418/

    Disclaimer:
    The given information in this post is all informally, to my best knowledge compiled from public domain information, and not confirmed by Asus.
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2018
    wouterv, Nov 19, 2016
    #1
    royarcher, Boorock70, Wallace_n_Gromit and 21 others like this.
  2. Pierino

    Pierino Very Senior Member

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    Columbus Ohio
    Should be a sticky.
     
    Pierino, Nov 19, 2016
    #2
  3. BrewWizard

    BrewWizard Occasional Visitor

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
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    And there is also the "W" suffix, which appears to be the B1 version.
     
    BrewWizard, Nov 19, 2016
    #3
    pdoyle likes this.
  4. wouterv

    wouterv Very Senior Member

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    To my
    To my understanding the RT-AC68W is the White model (the U / R / P variants have a black case).
    I assume the RT-AC68W comes in all known hardware versions.
     
    wouterv, Nov 19, 2016
    #4
  5. BrewWizard

    BrewWizard Occasional Visitor

    Joined:
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    You are right on the first part (white). However, the place I've seen this router is Amazon - the version questions asked of users always come back B1 and 1 GHz. So I assume it is like the U 1GHz model. The f/w downloads are the same, as they should be.
     
    BrewWizard, Nov 19, 2016
    #5
  6. Roy2001

    Roy2001 Occasional Visitor

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
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    40
    I bought a Tmobile TC-AC1900, any idea it is a A1 or A2 or other version? The CPU is 800Mhz.
     
    Roy2001, Nov 20, 2016
    #6
  7. Ah-Pin-Kor

    Ah-Pin-Kor New Around Here

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2014
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    6
    <nitpick mode>
    It's 5023L, not 50023L.
    </nitpick mode>
     
    Ah-Pin-Kor, Nov 20, 2016
    #7
    wouterv likes this.
  8. elgar

    elgar New Around Here

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    Nov 21, 2016
    Messages:
    3
    I have RT-AC68U revision C1. Is it possible to flash Tomato by Shibby firmware?
     
    elgar, Nov 21, 2016
    #8
  9. sm00thpapa

    sm00thpapa Very Senior Member

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    1,752
    What's the latest version of the AC1900P? My local best buy has the V3 version on the shelves.
     
    sm00thpapa, Nov 21, 2016
    #9
  10. wouterv

    wouterv Very Senior Member

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    When Tomato Shibby has a version compatible with Asus firmware 3.0.0.4.380 or newer (with new SDK) I assume yes.
     
    wouterv, Nov 21, 2016
    #10
  11. thiggins

    thiggins Mr. Easy Staff Member

    Joined:
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    When did the RT-AC1900 first appear? It's available from third-party sellers on Amazon.

    I apologize if the following is repeat information.

    The attached FCC DoC letter (6/5/14) says the FCC ID MSQ-RTAC68UV2 applies to RT-AC68U/R/W/P, TM-AC1900 and RT-AC1900. But it does not list RT-AC1900P.

    The 12-19-16 Class II change letter changes the radio chip from BCM4360KMLG to the BCM43602KMLG and adds the RT-AC68U V2 model #. The BCM43602KMLG has the on-chip CPU and is the same as used in AC 3200 class products.

    The 3-29-16 Class II letter adds the RT-AC68 U V2 model (again) and also the RT-AC1900P. It also changes low noise amplifiers, CPU clock rate from 1.0 to 1.4 GHz and other miscellaneous changes.

    Since the same FCC ID number is used for all models, current production of all models should all be functionally and spec equivalent.

    The trick, of course, is knowing what vintage router you have.

    I think the safe bet is that RT-AC1900, RT-AC1900P and RT-AC68U V2 are equivalent.

    It's odd, however, that the internal photo file submitted with the 3/29/16 Class 2 change still shows BCM4360 radio chips.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 21, 2016
    thiggins, Nov 21, 2016
    #11
    cvx01 and RTN like this.
  12. wouterv

    wouterv Very Senior Member

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    My safe bet is as follows:
    1. There are "vintage" RT-AC68 models with the 4708A or 4709 CPU and 4360 wireless chips, this seems to be the hardware versions A1, A2 and B1.
    2. The first major upgrade is in 2014 with the new 43602 wireless chips "with CPU performance", this seems to be the hardware version C1.
    3. The next major upgrade in 2016 with the 1.4 GHz CPU, the model name is for sure RT-AC1900P.
    How the RT68UV2 relates to hardware versions (A1 to E1) is still vague. Maybe V2 is allready the B1 hardware variant.
     
    wouterv, Nov 22, 2016
    #12
  13. RMerlin

    RMerlin Super Moderator

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    HW rev C1 came out in early 2016. Asus sent me a sample in November or December 2015 ahead of launch (as firmware adjustments were required for it).
     
    RMerlin, Nov 22, 2016
    #13
    RTN likes this.
  14. thiggins

    thiggins Mr. Easy Staff Member

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    Has anyone seen the RT-AC1900 (NOT P) in stores?
     
    thiggins, Nov 22, 2016
    #14
  15. wouterv

    wouterv Very Senior Member

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    I looked at my RT-AC68U, H/W Ver A2, manufactured in 2016 and recently bought in the Netherlands/Europe.
    The FCC ID is "MSQ-RTAC68U".
    The documents shared by thiggins indicate "MSQ-RTAC68UV2", so I guess my new manufactured old style A2 is considered V1.
    Funny thing is that my router front does not show it is the RT-AC68U (looking up pictures on Google I see that most routers do clearly show they are the RT-AC68U):

    upload_2016-11-22_20-2-45.png

    upload_2016-11-22_20-16-30.png

    Regarding the RT-AC1900 (no P) it is at least advertised by Asus:
    https://www.asus.com/Networking/RT-AC1900/
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2016
    wouterv, Nov 22, 2016
    #15
  16. thiggins

    thiggins Mr. Easy Staff Member

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    The new Router Chart Search function will attempt to look up products that are not in the database. I'm amazed at the number of ASUS routers submitted that I had no idea existed.

    I should note that I may not be correct in my assertion that all products with the same FCC ID perform the same. My ASUS contact tells me the TM-AC1900 (T-Mobile special) and RT-AC1900 are "similar", but the BestBuy exclusive RT-AC1900P is the only one with faster CPU and different PAs. I'm still trying to clarify. The RT-AC68U V2 and RT-AC1900P are "similar". But the AC68U V2 may not be released in the U.S.
     
    thiggins, Nov 22, 2016
    #16
  17. Pierino

    Pierino Very Senior Member

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    Location:
    Columbus Ohio
    I have an rt-ac68uv2 h/w ver B1. In Ohio.
    It has a 1ghz cpu.
     

    Attached Files:

    Pierino, Nov 22, 2016
    #17
  18. RMerlin

    RMerlin Super Moderator

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    Over the last year, Asus released no new flagship (aside the BRT-AC828 coming out in the next couple of weeks), but a crazy number of under-the-radar models and revisions. Like the RT-N300 and RT-N600 which are kinda replacing the RT-N12 and RT-N66U.

    http://www.asus.com/Networking/Wireless-Routers-Products/

    It's so many, I'm not sure how their development team even manages to deal with all of these.
     
    RMerlin, Nov 22, 2016
    #18
    sm00thpapa likes this.
  19. doczenith1

    doczenith1 Very Senior Member

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    I have the exact same model purchased in February 2016 with Mfg. year 2015.
     
    doczenith1, Nov 22, 2016
    #19
  20. thiggins

    thiggins Mr. Easy Staff Member

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    I know this is confusing. But that is not an RT-AC68U V2 model, even with the FCC ID it carries.
     
    thiggins, Nov 23, 2016
    #20
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