Alright, which ASUS 1900 do I ACTUALLY want?

[HerkyTP]

So there's SO MANY versions of this badboy I can't figure out which one is the latest, greatest, and most stable. Do I buy the normal one off amazon and hope to get a c1 or better version for ~155? Do I go to the BestBuy and spend 180 for the AC1900 new version? Or maybe do their clearance version of the AC68P? I really have no idea, but I'd like input on which version is the "BEST" version. That means higher processor speed, stability, etc. I plan on installing Merlin as soon as I get it.

Thanks in advanced!!

 

[RMerlin]

The RT-AC1900P is the latest, with the new faster CPU.

 

[HerkyTP]

The RT-AC1900P is the latest, with the new faster CPU.

Wow, THE Merlin..

Would you say that it's the best value, as in worth the extra $40 vs the Amazon AC68U? Obviously I wouldn't know if I got a good one or not until it shows up. Thanks for the quick response, though! Also, thanks for your work on all of this, too. I can't wait to upgrade!

 

[RMerlin]

Wow, THE Merlin..

Would you say that it's the best value, as in worth the extra $40 vs the Amazon AC68U? Obviously I wouldn't know if I got a good one or not until it shows up. Thanks for the quick response, though! Also, thanks for your work on all of this, too. I can't wait to upgrade!

Depends on your specific needs. The faster CPU will make a difference with CPU intensive tasks such as VPN or very fast WAN connections. It will have next to no impact on wireless performance.

 

[L&LD]

Agree with RMerlin.

A few further thoughts. With the RT-AC68U 'original' being almost 3 years old, the latest iterations will (hopefully) have all that Asus has learned over the last few years, in addition to the latest and most capable hardware.

http://www.techhive.com/article/208...-router-on-the-market-priced-accordingly.html

$40 extra to 'upgrade' to 3 years worth of progress is an easy decision (particularly as it is still less than when it originally launched). The icing on the cake is that the RMerlin firmware is directly usable on this new hardware with no workarounds needed.

Depending on your network requirements and use today, the RT-AC1900P may be 'more' router than you need.

But, that will not be true when old father time takes it's toll over the next few years.

Not only will you and your devices/clients increasingly demand more of the router you buy today, but the firmware itself will too as it is constantly beefed up with security and usability features that may get you to re-evaluate what you expect your router to do for you.

Something I'm curious about, what router do you have now?

 

[HerkyTP]

Agree with RMerlin.

A few further thoughts. With the RT-AC68U 'original' being almost 3 years old, the latest iterations will (hopefully) have all that Asus has learned over the last few years, in addition to the latest and most capable hardware.

http://www.techhive.com/article/208...-router-on-the-market-priced-accordingly.html

$40 extra to 'upgrade' to 3 years worth of progress is an easy decision (particularly as it is still less than when it originally launched). The icing on the cake is that the RMerlin firmware is directly usable on this new hardware with no workarounds needed.

Depending on your network requirements and use today, the RT-AC1900P may be 'more' router than you need.

But, that will not be true when old father time takes it's toll over the next few years.

Not only will you and your devices/clients increasingly demand more of the router you buy today, but the firmware itself will too as it is constantly beefed up with security and usability features that may get you to re-evaluate what you expect your router to do for you.

Something I'm curious about, what router do you have now?

Thanks for the great reply!

A few things to clarify on MY end..

I see the different revisions in another thread a little ways down, about C1 and how they upgraded the processor and whatnot. Also trying to learn the differences between the 68A,U,P, etc. Which one is the best bet/bang for your buck? I have no problem with bumping to the BestBuy ac1900p either, I just want to stretch my dollar.

My CURRENT network situation is a mess. I temporarily moved in with my GF who is running some Linksys garbage. I loaned my older Buffalo DD-WRT N router to my little brother since I moved. We just bought a house and close soon so I need to get something to support a split level solidly built house. Needless to say, I'm ready to be in control again.

It's been a while since I've been in the FOSS router domain and I'm looking forward to some VPN, network level adblock, and QOS and just want to make sure I stretch that dollar. I've also looked into Ubiquiti and running router/switch/AP too. For what it's worth, I'm a Telephony Admin so I know my way around networking a little bit.

 

[L&LD]

Thanks for the great reply!

A few things to clarify on MY end..

I see the different revisions in another thread a little ways down, about C1 and how they upgraded the processor and whatnot. Also trying to learn the differences between the 68A,U,P, etc. Which one is the best bet/bang for your buck? I have no problem with bumping to the BestBuy ac1900p either, I just want to stretch my dollar.

My CURRENT network situation is a mess. I temporarily moved in with my GF who is running some Linksys garbage. I loaned my older Buffalo DD-WRT N router to my little brother since I moved. We just bought a house and close soon so I need to get something to support a split level solidly built house. Needless to say, I'm ready to be in control again.

It's been a while since I've been in the FOSS router domain and I'm looking forward to some VPN, network level adblock, and QOS and just want to make sure I stretch that dollar. I've also looked into Ubiquiti and running router/switch/AP too. For what it's worth, I'm a Telephony Admin so I know my way around networking a little bit.

You're welcome.

The BestBuy Asus RT-AC1900P is the best iteration of the RT-AC68U to date. The other versions just confuse the issue needlessly.

The current 'best' pro sumer routers are the RT-AC3100, the RT-AC88U and the RT-AC5300 and the additional hardware offered by those arguably 'better' routers (namely, double the ram of the RT-AC1900P (all), an additional stream/antennae (RT-AC3100), 4 more LAN ports (RT-AC88U) and an additional 5GHz radio (RT-AC5300) is not something that it seems you need.

Best bang for your buck is the AC1900 class of routers, overall. With the RT-AC1900P router giving over 80% of the much more expensive routers hardware while still capable of using RMerlin's (or the forks thereof) firmware. If I were buying a router today, the search would have ended at a BB now (and, I'm not a BB fan).

Looked at another way, 40% to 75% more performance (1GHz 'P' models or the slower 'original' 800MHz models, respectively) for 16% more cost is how good this buy is today.

 

[HerkyTP]

You're welcome.

The BestBuy Asus RT-AC1900P is the best iteration of the RT-AC68U to date. The other versions just confuse the issue needlessly.

The current 'best' pro sumer routers are the RT-AC3100, the RT-AC88U and the RT-AC5300 and the additional hardware offered by those arguably 'better' routers (namely, double the ram of the RT-AC1900P (all), an additional stream/antennae (RT-AC3100), 4 more LAN ports (RT-AC88U) and an additional 5GHz radio (RT-AC5300) is not something that it seems you need.

Best bang for your buck is the AC1900 class of routers, overall. With the RT-AC1900P router giving over 80% of the much more expensive routers hardware while still capable of using RMerlin's (or the forks thereof) firmware. If I were buying a router today, the search would have ended at a BB now (and, I'm not a BB fan).

I had a feeling that BestBuy would be where I'm headed. Thanks for another great response! I was hoping to hop on Amazon and get it, being as how I do have some credit I'd like to use. Ah well, just means I get to buy another toy! Thanks again and I'll be thumbing through this site to make sure I'm fairly up to date on my soon-to-be purchase. Looks like there's a pretty great community here!

 

[L&LD]

I had a feeling that BestBuy would be where I'm headed. Thanks for another great response! I was hoping to hop on Amazon and get it, being as how I do have some credit I'd like to use. Ah well, just means I get to buy another toy! Thanks again and I'll be thumbing through this site to make sure I'm fairly up to date on my soon-to-be purchase. Looks like there's a pretty great community here!

It is a great community! More toys are not necessarily bad either.

 

[baddog]

I suspect you will be very happy with the RT-AC1900P. I purchased one about three weeks ago. Replaced a very capable Apple Extreme ( actually two ). It has worked seamlessly for me with the Merlin s/w and the learnings from many of the wise folks on this Forum.

For perspectives sake, household has an AppleTV, a mix of Ipads, Macbooks, iPhones, Windows 10 laptop, HUE devices, NEST devices, Synology NAS, Devialet 400, OOMA, and Amazon Echo ( about 20-30 devices total ) with a combination of both wired and wireless devices. Worst case if it doesn't work out I believe you can return it within 15 days.

FWIW.

 

[Darcy]

Will the 1900P be enough to cover 3 floors? Router on middle floor with an upstairs and a basement. Or would the AC3100 have better coverage?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[L&LD]

Will the 1900P be enough to cover 3 floors? Router on middle floor with an upstairs and a basement. Or would the AC3100 have better coverage?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It depends on the specific (RF) environment, of course. How central it can be located to the required coverage areas (in '3D'). And, the construction of the walls, floors, etc. of the home.

The RT-AC3100 offers potentially more throughput (not really 'range') with it's 4 streams/antennae design. But how much more in real life? I would say not enough that a single router at almost double the cost would be better than two routers used in router/AP (wired) mode (two RT-AC1900P's, of course).

 

[Darcy]

I'm upgrading to the 1900P today from an ASUS RT-AC66R. I will not have room to place the 66R next to the 1900P and plug it in. Is there anything else I can do with the RT-AC66R?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Darcy]

Just bought the ASUS RT-AC1900P. Can't wait to get home with my new toy...lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dlandiss]

Is there anything else I can do with the RT-AC66R?

Make it an access point upstairs?

 

[L&LD]

I'm upgrading to the 1900P today from an ASUS RT-AC66R. I will not have room to place the 66R next to the 1900P and plug it in. Is there anything else I can do with the RT-AC66R?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Donate it to a deserving family.

 

[Darcy]

Make it an access point upstairs?

Sounds good just not sure how to go about that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dlandiss]

Sounds good just not sure how to go about that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The "Bridge" chapter 4.1.3 of the manual has details.

 

[Darcy]

Can I set that up after I set up my 1900P?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dlandiss]

Can I set that up after I set up my 1900P?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can set them up in either order but the access point will not perform until there is a main "gateway" router to feed it.