NUTW0RX
Regular Contributor
If there’s anything I learned in the last 10 weeks from trying to replace a Netgear WNDR3800 and R6300 with a newer 802.11ac router is that wireless is consistently inconsistent. I tested the Synology RT1900ac, Netgear R8500 (3 of them thanks to failing radios), ASUS RT-AC5300, RT-AC3100, RT-AC1900P and now the Synology RT2600ac.
The R8500 was faster overall than all of them but there was no way I was going to continue with replacements with repeated radio failures and wasn't going to put up with their tired interface and lack a features. I really liked the RT1900ac features and interface but had average performance at best. I wound up settling with the RT-AC5300 because it was almost as fast as the R8500 but had a better interface and features. There have been reports that the radios in this model have been failing like the Netgear and left me uneasy; I’m wondering if it has something to do with the Broadcom chipset they share or if they’re overheating because there isn’t any way to adjust power with both tri-band models.
Luckily the RT2600ac started shipping before my return period expired on the RT-AC5300 and keeping the Synology. I wish performance was better overall than the R8500 but I’d stack it in-between the two with the Synology beating the Netgear on a few of my tests. Performance for all models were inconsistent and neither of the top three dominated, but my choice was based on performance in locations and operations I perform the most, family feedback, features, product management and usability.
I like that you can adjust power levels but only low, medium and high are offered; the low levels on 2GHz and 5GHz cover the areas I need on that segment of my network. The other models don’t let you adjust power levels. It’s nice I’m not restricted to 16 character passwords like the ASUS models. One down side is that it doesn’t support 64 HEX characters like other routers and clients and have addressed this with Synology. At least they responded the next day to my query unlike the other manufacturers. It’s great that Synology and ASUS allow you to change the admin user name and also support HTTPS management on the LAN side as well as selecting your own port unlike Netgear. The Synology has certificate support which can be exported to other appliances and allows SYSLOG as well as other features. I’m currently using the router as an NTP server and pointing all devices to it so only one device goes out externally for time. Another feature I’m looking forward to testing more is the IPS beta add-on they have; it’s a free feature and there’s also a paid subscription service. You need to have external storage to download and use so a fast SD card should do. Off the top of my head it added about 10% CPU usage up to (30ish) and the same amount of RAM. There are other packages available that can be downloaded like a DNS server, VPN and others but not planning on using it on this router.
I was pleased to see the addition of eight 5GHz band channels (52-112) (the RT1900ac had this as well) but haven’t had the chance to use them. There are currently no users on those channels in my area and it reminds me of the days when I was the only one using 802.11a on 5GHz for years. Too bad it’s getting crowded like 2.4GHz in my area.
I think Synology made good with their second router attempt and glad I’m able to use “big boy” features not seen on consumer/home routers and for less cost. ASUS can try to polish their UI with their “updated” 5300 for a lot more money but my money is going to Synology with a more complete package. I’m also confident they’d support this product with updates longer than the home versions based on experience with some of their NAS devices.
This isn’t a controlled test environment but my typical “real world” operation.
Used a PCIe Half Mini Card Intel AC 7260 2x2 (867 Mb), an ASUS USB-AC68 USB 3.0 3x4 (1300 Mb), and Netgear A6200 USB 2.0 (867 Mb) adapters for testing. Routers were swapped at the same location on a second floor and clients on 1st floor (same location) at about 45 degree angle and approximately 40 ft. away. Power was set to high for RT2600ac and both used same fixed channels on 5GHz where adjacent interference was minimal. Routers were upgraded to latest versions, set in AP mode and fully configured as I would normally run as well as client adapters updated on Windows 10 64-bit.
USB-AC68 using USB 3.0 system:
RT-AC5300 – 128 Mb peak / 128 Mb typical download
240 Mb peak / 232 Mb typical upload
232 Mb peak / 168 Mb typical download w/MIMO
200 Mb peak / 264 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
RT2600ac – 136 Mb peak / 120 Mb typical download
200 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload
128 Mb peak / 120 Mb typical download w/MIMO
208 Mb peak / 200 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
USB-AC68 using USB 2.0 system:
RT-AC5300 – 256 Mb peak / 248 Mb typical download
224 Mb peak / 216 Mb typical upload
240 Mb peak / 224 Mb typical download w/MIMO
32 Mb peak / 24 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
RT2600ac – 272 Mb peak / 264 Mb typical download
264 Mb peak / 200 Mb typical upload
272 Mb peak / 264 Mb typical download w/MIMO
208 Mb peak / 200 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
A6200 USB 2.0 adapter:
RT-AC5300 – 88 Mb peak / 88 Mb typical download
200 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload
88 Mb peak / 80 Mb typical download w/MIMO
192 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
RT2600ac – 96 Mb peak / 72 Mb typical download
192 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload
112 Mb peak / 80 Mb typical download w/MIMO
192 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
Internal 7260:
RT-AC5300 – 328 Mb peak / 304 Mb typical download
184 Mb peak / 168 Mb typical upload
128 Mb peak / 120 Mb typical download w/MIMO
288 Mb peak / 272 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
RT2600ac – 240 Mb peak / 144 Mb typical download
224 Mb peak / 200 Mb typical upload
240 Mb peak / 192 Mb typical download w/MIMO
264 Mb peak / 192 typical upload w/MIMO
Gigabit Ethernet:
RT-AC5300 –536 Mb peak / 504 Mb typical download
920 Mb peak / 904 Mb typical upload
RT2600ac – 632 Mb peak / 504 Mb typical download
920 Mb peak / 904 Mb typical upload
Highest speed gap in favor of the RT-AC5300 was about 160 Mb better average download speed with 7260 adapter.
Highest speed gap for the RT2600ac was about 176 Mb better average upload speed with USB-AC68 adapter on USB 2.0 system.
The fastest wireless speed test was achieved by the RT-AC5300 with the 7260 adapter registering 328 Mb peak and 304 Mb average download. The same router w/MIMO enabled also had the slowest wireless speed test with the USB-AC68 adapter, on a USB 2.0 system with only 32 Mb peak and 24 Mb average upload.
Wired switch speed on the RT2600ac was 96 Mb faster peak but both had the same average uploads; this was slower by about 360 Mb than other switches tested. Upload speeds were equal and as good as or slightly better than other switches.
- - - UPDATE
Finally got around to testing additional 5 GHz channels and the ASUS USB-AC68 doesn't work with them. The notebooks with the internal Intel NICs picked up every channel I threw at it. These are the channels the ASUS couldn't handle: 52,56,60,64,100,104,108,112,116,132,136,140
I can imagine those that turn on automagic channel selection (only on few routers that support these channels - not ASUS) and all of a sudden clients stop connecting because of adapters that don't support them.
I'm glad the new router supports these channels since nobody is using them in the area...it will be like 802.11a days again where I was solo for a long while. Time to go notebook shopping so I can get rid of the legacy gear and get an internal Intel NIC. Wish I would have tested this a week ago so I could return the adapter. Guess I'll chuck it in the draw with my 1Mb PCMCIA Wifi adapter after I get a new notebook.
The R8500 was faster overall than all of them but there was no way I was going to continue with replacements with repeated radio failures and wasn't going to put up with their tired interface and lack a features. I really liked the RT1900ac features and interface but had average performance at best. I wound up settling with the RT-AC5300 because it was almost as fast as the R8500 but had a better interface and features. There have been reports that the radios in this model have been failing like the Netgear and left me uneasy; I’m wondering if it has something to do with the Broadcom chipset they share or if they’re overheating because there isn’t any way to adjust power with both tri-band models.
Luckily the RT2600ac started shipping before my return period expired on the RT-AC5300 and keeping the Synology. I wish performance was better overall than the R8500 but I’d stack it in-between the two with the Synology beating the Netgear on a few of my tests. Performance for all models were inconsistent and neither of the top three dominated, but my choice was based on performance in locations and operations I perform the most, family feedback, features, product management and usability.
I like that you can adjust power levels but only low, medium and high are offered; the low levels on 2GHz and 5GHz cover the areas I need on that segment of my network. The other models don’t let you adjust power levels. It’s nice I’m not restricted to 16 character passwords like the ASUS models. One down side is that it doesn’t support 64 HEX characters like other routers and clients and have addressed this with Synology. At least they responded the next day to my query unlike the other manufacturers. It’s great that Synology and ASUS allow you to change the admin user name and also support HTTPS management on the LAN side as well as selecting your own port unlike Netgear. The Synology has certificate support which can be exported to other appliances and allows SYSLOG as well as other features. I’m currently using the router as an NTP server and pointing all devices to it so only one device goes out externally for time. Another feature I’m looking forward to testing more is the IPS beta add-on they have; it’s a free feature and there’s also a paid subscription service. You need to have external storage to download and use so a fast SD card should do. Off the top of my head it added about 10% CPU usage up to (30ish) and the same amount of RAM. There are other packages available that can be downloaded like a DNS server, VPN and others but not planning on using it on this router.
I was pleased to see the addition of eight 5GHz band channels (52-112) (the RT1900ac had this as well) but haven’t had the chance to use them. There are currently no users on those channels in my area and it reminds me of the days when I was the only one using 802.11a on 5GHz for years. Too bad it’s getting crowded like 2.4GHz in my area.
I think Synology made good with their second router attempt and glad I’m able to use “big boy” features not seen on consumer/home routers and for less cost. ASUS can try to polish their UI with their “updated” 5300 for a lot more money but my money is going to Synology with a more complete package. I’m also confident they’d support this product with updates longer than the home versions based on experience with some of their NAS devices.
This isn’t a controlled test environment but my typical “real world” operation.
Used a PCIe Half Mini Card Intel AC 7260 2x2 (867 Mb), an ASUS USB-AC68 USB 3.0 3x4 (1300 Mb), and Netgear A6200 USB 2.0 (867 Mb) adapters for testing. Routers were swapped at the same location on a second floor and clients on 1st floor (same location) at about 45 degree angle and approximately 40 ft. away. Power was set to high for RT2600ac and both used same fixed channels on 5GHz where adjacent interference was minimal. Routers were upgraded to latest versions, set in AP mode and fully configured as I would normally run as well as client adapters updated on Windows 10 64-bit.
USB-AC68 using USB 3.0 system:
RT-AC5300 – 128 Mb peak / 128 Mb typical download
240 Mb peak / 232 Mb typical upload
232 Mb peak / 168 Mb typical download w/MIMO
200 Mb peak / 264 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
RT2600ac – 136 Mb peak / 120 Mb typical download
200 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload
128 Mb peak / 120 Mb typical download w/MIMO
208 Mb peak / 200 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
USB-AC68 using USB 2.0 system:
RT-AC5300 – 256 Mb peak / 248 Mb typical download
224 Mb peak / 216 Mb typical upload
240 Mb peak / 224 Mb typical download w/MIMO
32 Mb peak / 24 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
RT2600ac – 272 Mb peak / 264 Mb typical download
264 Mb peak / 200 Mb typical upload
272 Mb peak / 264 Mb typical download w/MIMO
208 Mb peak / 200 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
A6200 USB 2.0 adapter:
RT-AC5300 – 88 Mb peak / 88 Mb typical download
200 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload
88 Mb peak / 80 Mb typical download w/MIMO
192 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
RT2600ac – 96 Mb peak / 72 Mb typical download
192 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload
112 Mb peak / 80 Mb typical download w/MIMO
192 Mb peak / 184 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
Internal 7260:
RT-AC5300 – 328 Mb peak / 304 Mb typical download
184 Mb peak / 168 Mb typical upload
128 Mb peak / 120 Mb typical download w/MIMO
288 Mb peak / 272 Mb typical upload w/MIMO
RT2600ac – 240 Mb peak / 144 Mb typical download
224 Mb peak / 200 Mb typical upload
240 Mb peak / 192 Mb typical download w/MIMO
264 Mb peak / 192 typical upload w/MIMO
Gigabit Ethernet:
RT-AC5300 –536 Mb peak / 504 Mb typical download
920 Mb peak / 904 Mb typical upload
RT2600ac – 632 Mb peak / 504 Mb typical download
920 Mb peak / 904 Mb typical upload
Highest speed gap in favor of the RT-AC5300 was about 160 Mb better average download speed with 7260 adapter.
Highest speed gap for the RT2600ac was about 176 Mb better average upload speed with USB-AC68 adapter on USB 2.0 system.
The fastest wireless speed test was achieved by the RT-AC5300 with the 7260 adapter registering 328 Mb peak and 304 Mb average download. The same router w/MIMO enabled also had the slowest wireless speed test with the USB-AC68 adapter, on a USB 2.0 system with only 32 Mb peak and 24 Mb average upload.
Wired switch speed on the RT2600ac was 96 Mb faster peak but both had the same average uploads; this was slower by about 360 Mb than other switches tested. Upload speeds were equal and as good as or slightly better than other switches.
- - - UPDATE
Finally got around to testing additional 5 GHz channels and the ASUS USB-AC68 doesn't work with them. The notebooks with the internal Intel NICs picked up every channel I threw at it. These are the channels the ASUS couldn't handle: 52,56,60,64,100,104,108,112,116,132,136,140
I can imagine those that turn on automagic channel selection (only on few routers that support these channels - not ASUS) and all of a sudden clients stop connecting because of adapters that don't support them.
I'm glad the new router supports these channels since nobody is using them in the area...it will be like 802.11a days again where I was solo for a long while. Time to go notebook shopping so I can get rid of the legacy gear and get an internal Intel NIC. Wish I would have tested this a week ago so I could return the adapter. Guess I'll chuck it in the draw with my 1Mb PCMCIA Wifi adapter after I get a new notebook.
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