(Router) Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 ($280-$289)

To expensive for me, but upvote for the FAQ

This is by far the best router I've owned. With approx 5000 sq/ft of range I get a signal in my basement, backyard and even across the street. The interface is nice and the features are awesome. I don't use it only for gaming (Ps4 is plugged in using ethernet).

The new AX version is also available but very $$$

m9hrdad wrote: ↑ This is by far the best router I've owned. With approx 5000 sq/ft of range I get a signal in my basement, backyard and even across the street. The interface is nice and the features are awesome. I don't use it only for gaming (Ps4 is plugged in using ethernet).

The new AX version is also available but very $$$

Same here. I have had 14 routers in my life. This is by far the best for power, performance, customization and features. Yes it's expensive, but beats having dead zones and not enough throughput. Highly recommended. Just be ware that the security features are overkill and do interfere with Google Nest Hello. I had to disable some to have it work flawlessly since. Any questions, just PM. I will help if I can.

I almost convinced myself I need it.

Anikiri wrote: ↑ Staples has the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC5300 on sale again at $299
Sign-up Staples e-mail for $10 off $100: Staples Email Sign-up
Ebates: 1% cashback Staples

Total: $299 - $10 + HST - $2.89 (Ebates) - (Cashback CC 1-2%) = Price $280-$289


FAQs:
1. Staples stopped sending out those generous coupons so this $10 off $100 for sign-up is as good as it gets for now.
2. If you don't get the Ebates cashback, just message them for it.
3. No you cannot flash this Asus router with Merlin
4. Yes you could buy the RT-AC5300 and flash it with Merlin but that router is (arguably) an inferior router for the same price right now
5. If Staples tries to offer you an Open Box Item, just ask for another 10% off.
6. Yes, this router will be an excellent router for your AiMesh main router as well as large homes (up to 5000sqft)
7. Yes Wifi 6 is coming out, buy an AX router if you really need Wifi 6
8. Theoretical difference between Wifi 5 (AC router) and Wifi 6 (AX router) is 9.6Gbps vs 3.5 Gbps
9. And no, you don't really need Wifi 6 unless you're running some super network at home
10. Yes this router is AiMesh capable and is an excellent Primary Router
11. Yes this router runs circles around RT-AC68U, RT-AC66U B1, RT-AC86U, and RT-AC5300
12. Yes this router is Tri-band (2.4Ghz, 5Ghz, and Gaming 5Ghz)
13. Yes it is a quad-core ARM based 1.8Ghz CPU and yes it may be faster than that overpriced Macbook you bought
14. Yes it is overkill for a regular home
15. Yes it is a gaming router with all the gaming prioritization functions that you will ever need
16. Yes this router has one of the best built-in array of security functions
17. Yes you can run a VPN through this router like OpenVPN or NordVPN
18. Gigabit LAN 8 ports, Gaming LAN ports 2, USB 3.0 ports 2, and WAN port
19. Yes it is huge and looks like a spider with 8 antennas and 4x4 802.11ac MU-MIMO
20. And finally, yes this is an excellent price for this router. The lowest it has ever been with Staples coupons was around $280 + ebates + CC cashback.

Good FAQ except number 12, gaming 5GHZ doesn't mean anything It should be 2.4 GHz+ 5.8 GHz + 5.3-5.7 GHZ (DFS band)

LeS91757 wrote: ↑ I almost convinced myself I need it.

Me every time I come onto this accursed website

LeS91757 wrote: ↑ I almost convinced myself I need it.

You need it mate, destroy all your neighbours with this beast.

Folks I really want a good router. Our house is 4000 SQ Feet. I need something for my smart home, YouTube, gaming etc. Should I wait for WIFI 6 or buy this beast ?

Need some pro networking response....

i wanna jump on this router... I currently have an Orbi AC3000. The Orbi suck balls in my home, I get lag spikes at certain edge of my home through wifi. It covers all the rooms but its like rated at 20-50mbps rather than my 250mbps when using wired signal.... my iphone always gets thrown around from 2.5ghz to 5ghz in weord ways, ie. close range I got thrown to 2.5 instead of 5, long range i got thrown to 5 instead of 2.5... major slowdown.

would this be a rational replacement?

taank wrote: ↑ Folks I really want a good router. Our house is 4000 SQ Feet. I need something for my smart home, YouTube, gaming etc. Should I wait for WIFI 6 or buy this beast ?

Unless you’re running a pr0n network, where you need to move files around with haste, you won’t need Wifi 6. Plus the AX version of this costs double as much.

I've had this router for about a year and a half and will echo the comments about how great it works. Range and reliability are top-notch. I can't recall ever having any issues or needing to reboot.

m9hrdad wrote: ↑ I don't use it only for gaming (Ps4 is plugged in using ethernet).

There are some useful gaming features even without using the 'dedicated 5 GHz band'. A wired connection is actually preferred for gaming as it will have lower latency and a more consistent connection. OP mentioned two of the 10 gigabit ports are dedicated to gaming. There is also QoS prioritization for gaming and support for the WTFast gaming network (there's a free option). The mobile app also has a mobile gaming mode for your phone.

Speaking of the mobile app, you can quickly change QoS settings on the fly from the app from gaming, streaming, work from home (VOIP), and file sharing (torrents). I find the router works well regardless of these settings, but sometimes use it for the placebo effect. I usually leave it on gaming.

While the router works well out of the box without too much tinkering, to really take advantage of the three bands, you would want to configure band-steering aka Smart Connect Rule. Because I'm using a 5 GHz band for my Xbox (no hardwire in that room), I have MAC filtering set for the 5-2 band to only allow the Xbox to connect. That would be the setup for someone wanting to use the 'dedicated 5 GHz gaming band.'

A more typical scenario would be to have devices jump between all three bands based on the quality of their connection (this setting has all three bands use the same SSID). This works seamlessly when configured correctly, and generally works out of the box. To better understand how to tinker with these settings, I recommend reading this:
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireles ... ing-manual

It's also worth using Wifi Radar to perform a site survey and see what channels are best to use for each band. Even more so if you can see your neighbours' wifi SSIDs within your home. Auto channels work fine, but I found setting channels based on the survey results increased the quality of my connections.

I'd say my biggest gripe is the documentation briefly glosses over some features and settings that could use more detailed explanations.

kchkwan wrote: ↑ Need some pro networking response....

i wanna jump on this router... I currently have an Orbi AC3000. The Orbi suck balls in my home, I get lag spikes at certain edge of my home through wifi. It covers all the rooms but its like rated at 20-50mbps rather than my 250mbps when using wired signal.... my iphone always gets thrown around from 2.5ghz to 5ghz in weord ways, ie. close range I got thrown to 2.5 instead of 5, long range i got thrown to 5 instead of 2.5... major slowdown.

would this be a rational replacement?

This router is severe overkill router for a house. You can not compare this to an Orbi cuz Orbi really sucks.

You should be able to pull between 300-600 mbps anywhere in a reasonably big house. Coverage is about as good as it gets without AiMesh, but of course you can always add nodes later.

Anikiri wrote: ↑ This router is severe overkill router for a house. You can not compare this to an Orbi cuz Orbi really sucks.

You should be able to pull between 300-600 mbps anywhere in a reasonably big house. Coverage is about as good as it gets without AiMesh, but of course you can always add nodes later.

I don't think I need nodes with this router, I just want to confirm I can get rid of the Orbi and call it a day with a good router that can maintain proper wifi speeds.
I was waiting for Wifi6E to hop on the new band to avoid interference from my neighbours... I don't think I can hold it any longer as I am running out of patience with the crap shiet Orbi... piece of junk... anyways I just hopped on it... with a Staples $10 off coupon... Thx for sharing OP.

I asked someone should I upgrade from Google OnHub Ac1900 to AC86U but someone said I should stay with Google OnHub Ac1900
because it has 1GB RAM, it's better than ASUS AC86U, it only has 512MB RAM

Is it true?

Thanks OP bought for in-store pickup had been looking for a good new router also used the $10 coupon.

Merlin doesn't has GT version firmware :< sad

jacky190424 wrote: ↑ Merlin doesn't has GT version firmware :< sad

Will future support be added?

jacky190424 wrote: ↑ Merlin doesn't has GT version firmware :< sad

The Asus firmware out of the box is already pretty decent. IMO you don’t need a Merlin build

Can I use this with bell fiber ?
Just switched to Bell from rogers, I was using Google Mesh system for extra coverage to the garage but apparently this doesn't play well
with their Home Hub 3000 and I barely get coverage out there now. I don't really want to pay them more for their pods.