AC66U, AC68U, AC68P, AC87U

[gobtron]

I bought the AC66U because there was a good deal on it. I got it for 115$ CAD. Now I see the AC68U at 170$ CAD and the AC68P and AC87U at 160$. When I bought the AC66U, I didn't consider the other models I mention because they were quite expensive, but now I started considering them seriously. Is it really worth the extra money?

I do use a VPN right now and intend to setup a NAS too. Will I see a performance drop if I use the VPN client on my computer instead of the router? I do see performance drop with my old D-Link DIR-601 running an OpenVPN client on my computer. It sure would be nice to have a VPN client and server on the router though.

Is the usb 2.0 really a big bottleneck if I watch movies from a usb drive connected to the router? And do the AC66U can sustain fluidly this kind of activity along with online gaming and regular internet use at the same time?

I should mention that my Internet connection is 15 mbps and I don't plan to upgrade to those ultra fast internet 100 mbps speed soon. I sure do some online FPS gaming, so it's nice to have a reliable connection when the roommates are streaming movies.

The idea is to invest in a router that will last for 5 years or so. So it needs to be kind of futureproof, capable of supporting a potential growth of the network size. I think of it as a mid-long-term investment. And maybe I should stick with the RT66U for 2-3 years and get an even more powerful router then...

Stability, reliability and compatibility with third party firmware (Merlin, DD-WRT, Tomato, ...) are very important for me.

 

[Darcy]

I can run 3 xbox one, 4 phones, 2 laptops, printer, 3 smart tvs and stream 4k video to my tv at the same time with no lag from my AC66R. You should be fine.

 

[sm00thpapa]

No router is future proof and why stick with old technology for 5 years when a new router comes out yearly. My old WRT54GL supports 4K video. Your best bet right now is an AC1900 router. Try to catch a sale some where. I hooked up a TP-Link TL-WR841N N300 router and it played 4 streams of 4K video simultaneously and the router only cost me $16.99 on sale at Amazon. Don't believe that marketing junk about this router supports 4K video cause any router from 10 years ago can also.

 

[gobtron]

I can run 3 xbox one, 4 phones, 2 laptops, printer, 3 smart tvs and stream 4k video to my tv at the same time with no lag from my AC66R. You should be fine.

You're a very busy man to run all these devices at the same time!

 

[Darcy]

Lol, my kids will be gaming on their laptops and jump on xbox one to play with me and leave everything on. Printer, phone's and smart TV's are always connected. I need a nuclear reactor to run all this stuff.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Lol, my kids will be gaming on their laptops and jump on xbox one to play with me and leave everything on. Printer, phone's and smart TV's are always connected. I need a nuclear reactor to run all this stuff.

Same here we are a family of 5 and we have over 45 devices connected to my AC68P. I do have a 200Mbps down connection. With me watching a 4K video on my 4K 3D HDTV and my kids and wife on the their cell phones, tablets, laptops, PS4, PS3 and Xbox 360 all running simultaneously there is no lag what so ever.

 

[Darcy]

I will say I have the urge to get a new router but the reviews for the new ones are not swaying me. ..

 

[Darcy]

You really do need a nuclear reactor! Lmao

 

[sm00thpapa]

I will say I have the urge to get a new router but the reviews for the new ones are not swaying me. ..

Same here none are worth the money. If the AC66U is serving you well just stick with it.

 

[Darcy]

Same here none are worth the money. If the AC66U is serving you well just stick with it.

Wow, that didn't take long for you to change your mind. I read on another thread you ordered a 88u with a straight up trade on Amazon.

 

[Darcy]

Same here we are a family of 5 and we have over 45 devices connected to my AC68P. I do have a 200Mbps down connection. With me watching a 4K video on my 4K 3D HDTV and my kids and wife on the their cell phones, tablets, laptops, PS4, PS3 and Xbox 360 all running simultaneously there is no lag what so ever.

What's the difference between the AC68U and AC68P?

 

[Pierino]

What's the difference between the AC68U and AC68P?

Rt-ac68p has a 1ghz cpu, the ac68u an 800mhz cpu.

 

[Darcy]

Thanks

 

[gobtron]

What's the difference between the AC68U and AC68P?

Yup, apparently, it's the AC68U with better processor and a shielded USB 3.0 port resulting in better performance there. I think I will take my chance on a refurbished one for 160$. I have heard nothing but good words about the AC68U (speed, reliability, etc) and the dual-core 1ghz should be more appropriate over time than the single core processor.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Yup, apparently, it's the AC68U with better processor and a shielded USB 3.0 port resulting in better performance there. I think I will take my chance on a refurbished one for 160$. I have heard nothing but good words about the AC68U (speed, reliability, etc) and the dual-core 1ghz should be more appropriate over time than the single core processor.

The 68P has the 1Ghz processor not the 68U. An AC1900 router is your best now and for the foreseeable future until the higher routers become more reliable and stable.

 

[sm00thpapa]

Wow, that didn't take long for you to change your mind. I read on another thread you ordered a 88u with a straight up trade on Amazon.

I got the 88U as an equal trade that's the only reason why I got it. No money out my pocket.

 

[Darcy]

I got the 88U as an equal trade that's the only reason why I got it. No money out my pocket.

Did you keep your 68P?

 

[sm00thpapa]

Did you keep your 68P?

Yes the 68P will never leave my home as it is the most stable and reliable router I own.

 

[Darcy]

Yes the 68P will never leave my home as it is the most stable and reliable router I own.

I have the AC66R and never had an issue with it. I would guess getting a 68P would not make a big difference correct? Also , the 68P is $200 at best buy so why not just spend another $79 and get the 88U. Seems like the updated FW has been good.

 

[gobtron]

Yes the 68P will never leave my home as it is the most stable and reliable router I own.

Good thing!