Different Speed Tests Results Between Routers AXE-16000 and GT-AX6000

[Tech9]

Are you able to get 2 Gbps speed from what seems to be a USB to 2.5 Gbps Ethernet adapter

I don't see USB-to-Ethernet adapter mentioned in @Lotta Cox posts above. The Sabrent on USB 3.0 port is an external SSD/HDD enclosure and the Realtek RTL9210 on USB 2.0 port is USB to NVMe/SATA bridge controller or another SSD/HDD enclosure.

 

[Lotta Cox]

I don't see USB-to-Ethernet adapter mentioned in @Lotta Cox posts above. The Sabrent on USB 3.0 port is an external SSD/HDD enclosure and the Realtek RTL9210 on USB 2.0 port is USB to NVMe/SATA bridge controller or another SSD/HDD enclosure.

I do have a SABRENT USB C to 2.5 Gbps Ethernet LAN. It says it in that Networx speed graph in the screen shot above. (Realtek chipset) Works fine with AX6000. Maybe the 16000 don't like it?
Oh but even the wifi has the same gimped speeds on that 16000.

Very happy with the ax-6000 Super stable.

So in summary my upgrade path has been:
I wanted 2.5G ports or better for 2Gbps internet.
Upgraded from a AX 86U to a BE 98 PRO. Returned that.
A friend gave me a new AX 6000. Always works no matter how I set it. 80+ devices. 21 5G, 40 2.4G, and 15 wired. 2 USB SSD's.
Was going to give it back to him so I got a used AX 16000. We know how that is going. Not mad, just curious how is happening.

I am dying to try a new AXE 16000 just for fun

 

[Tech9]

I do have a SABRENT USB C to 2.5 Gbps Ethernet LAN

In this case exclude everything you see from this adapter in your testing.

I am dying to try a new AXE 16000 just for fun

If you have time and money to waste - go ahead. I wouldn't recommend this 2022 model Wi-Fi 6E router in 2025.

 

[Lotta Cox]

In this case exclude everything you see from this adapter in your testing. Not guaranteed to work with any router.



If you have time and money to waste - go ahead. I wouldn't recommend this 2022 model Wi-Fi 6E router in 2025.

But the wifi is slow too. Sometimes barely goes to ~500Mbps. Same on the wired.
It flies on the 6000.
I wouldn't keep the new 16000. Just test it and return it to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[Tech9]

GT-AX6000 (gaming GT version) and RT-AX88U Pro (almost the same hardware RT version) are better supported devices and you can find one new on affordable sale price. I believe this is the better upgrade path for you. For some reason all Asus Wi-Fi 6E products stuck on 3004 firmware and had large firmware release gaps. Also keep in mind none of the above has truly 10Gbps capable hardware inside, some just have 10GbE ports. The hardware inside is similar to Raspberry Pi and relies heavily on NAT acceleration. This means anything requiring traffic processing basically kills the WAN-LAN throughput to under 500Mbps. This is what the CPU can process.

 

[jzchen]

But the wifi is slow too. Sometimes barely goes to ~500Mbps. Same on the wired.
It flies on the 6000.
I wouldn't keep the new 16000. Just test it and return it to satisfy my curiosity.

Something was wrong when OFDMA/802.11ax MU-MIMO was enabled on the ASUS 6E routers (both AXE16000 and AXE11000 that I have owned purchased new) when attempting to connect Apple's first 6E MacBook, as well as Metal Quest 3 in one case someone complained about not being able to connect to 6 GHz (I believe that was an AXE7800). Not sure I'd advise wasting time on a new one as tester. Try to find and test the beta 9.0.0.6.102_4856 before you throw in the towel/if you're curious. I'm afraid it may not be safe to keep as main router firmware, but at least for Ethernet seems like it's running well. I have not made a determination on its WiFi performance....

 

[Tech9]

I see nothing on this screenshot. Blurry image of some text with red lines in between, Gear Acquisition Syndrome at the bottom.

 

[jzchen]

I see nothing on this screenshot. Blurry image of some text with red lines in between, Gear Acquisition Syndrome at the bottom.

Sorry I redid it just now ...

 

[jzchen]

Gear Acquisition Syndrome at the bottom.

Haha, after plastering the home with them finally WiFi is acceptable...

 

[Tech9]

I believe microwave ovens are cheaper and make popcorn faster.

Is this first tab in your screenshot about "How many people have died from Wi-Fi radiation overexposure?"

 

[Lotta Cox]

Something was wrong when OFDMA/802.11ax MU-MIMO was enabled on the ASUS 6E routers (both AXE16000 and AXE11000 that I have owned purchased new) when attempting to connect Apple's first 6E MacBook, as well as Metal Quest 3 in one case someone complained about not being able to connect to 6 GHz (I believe that was an AXE7800). Not sure I'd advise wasting time on a new one as tester. Try to find and test the beta 9.0.0.6.102_4856 before you throw in the towel/if you're curious. I'm afraid it may not be safe to keep as main router firmware, but at least for Ethernet seems like it's running well. I have not made a determination on its WiFi performance....

I tried that beta. Latest stock and Merlin with many resets.

 

[jzchen]

I tried that beta. Latest stock and Merlin with many resets.

Yeah stick with a router that works. The AXE16000 was once a $699.99 router and they have lowered the price significantly. It's usually a bad sign if someone's willing to let a typically expensive router go for cheap. There was someone across the pond (UK/England) with a second hand AXE16000 that wouldn't flash 388 firmware or something like that...

@Tech9 Part of the problem turned out to be UPS (simulated sine wave uninterruptible power supply) causing noise on 6 GHz. (Didn't leave it long enough to investigate if that included noise on 5 GHz). Of course it did not help when I learned node firmware updates can affect primary router function. I'll try to cook popcorn next to the Deco BE95 as it has the highest transformer output of 15 V at 5 A.

 

[Tech9]

You have Lotta Wi-Fi, @jzchen. I cover 6000sqft with 4x APs on low power...

 

[jzchen]

I could have sworn WiFi stands for Wi-reless Fi-delity. I'm definitely showing my Fidelity. (Had to look up the meaning of fidelity, to make sure I'm doing it right)...

Another router I see that seems to be flying off the shelves at a my local MicroCenter is the RT-AX5400. (May be the next RT-AC68U)....