ASUS RT-N66 Max CPU Usage

[Litzner]

I have a Asus RT-N66 and when I download a file at around 80 Mbps (over a wired connection) it tops out the CPU on the router and causes everything else to move slowly. I updated to the latest Merlin firmware to troubleshoot this (380.69), I disabled the 5ghz radio thinking that it would make a small difference, but nothing. If I turn off QoS I can get down to 68% cpu usage (which I really like QoS). It doesn't matter if I use Merlin or Asus firmware, and a factory reset did nothing.

Is this router just too much of a turd to handle what I am throwing at it?

 

[ColinTaylor]

Is this router just too much of a turd to handle what I am throwing at it?

Yes. Using QoS disables hardware acceleration which means your speed is CPU limited. With hardware acceleration enabled you can download at over 700Mbps.

I had an RT-N66U and had the same problem, with 4 simple QoS rules the most I could get was ~110Mbps. That's why I upgraded to an RT-AC68U.

 

[joegreat]

The good old N66U allows a bit of overclocking - will not bring much but you can use it: Read this posting here.

But remember: it's an MIPS device and does not allow overclocking as far as the ARM ones do.

 

[heysoundude]

The good old N66U allows a bit of overclocking - will not bring much but you can use it: Read this posting here.

But remember: it's an MIPS device and does not allow overclocking as far as the ARM ones do.

the extra 10% over stock does help though... or can it be cranked up over 662?

 

[joegreat]

the extra 10% over stock does help though... or can it be cranked up over 662?

The MIPS chips have fixed clock rates and 662 CPU clock is the maximum.