Briefly, I am currently using 2 RT-AC66U's, one as a router and the other as a repeater on a different floor. We have 300/21 internet from TWC and we get solid speeds. I am very happy with the 66U's-- they are steady, reliable, and fast. No lag, good throughput, steady file transfers, excellent streaming of Netflix, Crackle, NBA League Pass, etc. We are currently using about 15-20 devices in our home at any given point, including a variety of Windows 8.1 and 7 PC's, several FreeNAS boxes, a Windows 8.1 server, several Android phones, Surface tablets, a Chromebox, several printers, three SmartTV's, another WDMyACBridge which bridges to a SlingboxHDPro....etc.
I have the urge though to try a 68U as a router. Not sure why, but I am intrigued by the prospect of a dual processor unit vs. a single CPU in the AC66.
I've also read the articles here at SNB testing AC1750 vs. AC1900, and the general conclusion I draw from those articles is that I *might* see some modest improvement in the 5.0ghz range, but probably little, if any in the 2.4 ghz radio. Most of what I do in terms of streaming video and media utilizes the 5.0 band almost exclusively, and I've got great coverage in the 2.4 band everywhere on our property.
So I'm not sure whether I would see any benefit at all by upgrading the router to an AC68. Any advice or suggestions on this? What would you all do?
BTW, I'm not interested in buying an AC87U at this time. I do not believe the cost is justified by any performance improvements (over the 66U/68U) I might see. The 87 is a full $100 more than the 68, and all of my 5.0 band clients are using AC1200 adapters. Besides, from what I've read, there are no clients now that can actually take advantage of the 87U's 4x4 anyway.
And I probably should also mention that I have a 68U in my hands right now, but I haven't opened up the box, and am thinking of returning it. I can play with it for a few days, but before I do that, I'm interested in hearing from others about their experience with the 68's vs. 66's.
Any and all advice will be appreciated.
I have the urge though to try a 68U as a router. Not sure why, but I am intrigued by the prospect of a dual processor unit vs. a single CPU in the AC66.
I've also read the articles here at SNB testing AC1750 vs. AC1900, and the general conclusion I draw from those articles is that I *might* see some modest improvement in the 5.0ghz range, but probably little, if any in the 2.4 ghz radio. Most of what I do in terms of streaming video and media utilizes the 5.0 band almost exclusively, and I've got great coverage in the 2.4 band everywhere on our property.
So I'm not sure whether I would see any benefit at all by upgrading the router to an AC68. Any advice or suggestions on this? What would you all do?
BTW, I'm not interested in buying an AC87U at this time. I do not believe the cost is justified by any performance improvements (over the 66U/68U) I might see. The 87 is a full $100 more than the 68, and all of my 5.0 band clients are using AC1200 adapters. Besides, from what I've read, there are no clients now that can actually take advantage of the 87U's 4x4 anyway.
And I probably should also mention that I have a 68U in my hands right now, but I haven't opened up the box, and am thinking of returning it. I can play with it for a few days, but before I do that, I'm interested in hearing from others about their experience with the 68's vs. 66's.
Any and all advice will be appreciated.
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