Does the ASUS RT-AC68U still have USB 3.0 problems?

[Lastlink]

I'm in the market for new router and I'm looking at the R7000 or the RT-AC68U, while researching I've seen that the RT-AC68U has external hard drive problems that interfere with the r/w speeds. Is this still an issue now, or has it been fixed already by either custom firmware or official updates?

 

[RampantAndroid]

I'm in the market for new router and I'm looking at the R7000 or the RT-AC68U, while researching I've seen that the RT-AC68U has external hard drive problems that interfere with the r/w speeds. Is this still an issue now, or has it been fixed already by either custom firmware or official updates?

It still has a switch to slow down USB3 as it can interfere with the 2.5GHz signal - I doubt that will get better (without going to an AC87 or other newer design).

USB3 speeds are GREATLY improved moving to one of Merlin's build (I'm on the 374 fork.)

 

[Lastlink]

Thanks for the info RampantAndroid, whats the speed on Merlin's build? can it compare to the Nighthawk R7000?

 

[john9527]

Here's a quick set of tests I had run on the Merlin fork....

AC68U overclocked to 1200,800
Monoprice switch
Going to desktop computer (Realtek PCIe GB)
Used an 18GB VHD for the test....speed measured at about 50% copied

5400RPM 2.5" drive in Vantec enclosure attached to USB2 hub to router USB2 port - formatted NTFS

HDD <-> USB2 HUB <-> ASUS Router <-> Switch <-> Desktop Write (Windows): 26.0 MB/s
HDD <-> USB2 HUB <-> ASUS Router <-> Switch <-> Desktop Read (Windows): 29.2 MB/s

Using a USB3 memory stick / router USB3 port

USB3 Stick <-> ASUS Router <-> Switch <-> Desktop Write (Windows): 43.6 MB/s
USB3 Stick <-> ASUS Router <-> Switch <-> Desktop Read (Windows): 65.5 MB/s

 

[RampantAndroid]

With my Seagate external USB3 drive, writing the Windows 10 ISO (multi gigabyte file) I was seeing writes of around 60MB/s on both wired and wireless. Before installing Merlin's build, I think it was closer to 20MB/s. The R7000 did OK, but didn't hit 60MB/s using the stock firmware.

 

[wuyanxu]

Here's a quick set of tests I had run on the Merlin fork....

With my Seagate external USB3 drive, writing the Windows 10 ISO (multi gigabyte file) I was seeing writes of around 60MB/s on both wired and wireless. Before installing Merlin's build, I think it was closer to 20MB/s. The R7000 did OK, but didn't hit 60MB/s using the stock firmware.

Is that with the "Reduce USB 3 speed" in 2.4 GHz settings menu ticked or unticked?

If unticked, any negative effect on the 2.4 GHz band?

I'm also running merlin build, but my speeds are usually 15 MB/s, I suspect it's due to my cheap USB 3 stick. But I do also have that option ticked.

 

[john9527]

Is that with the "Reduce USB 3 speed" in 2.4 GHz settings menu ticked or unticked?

If unticked, any negative effect on the 2.4 GHz band?

I'm also running merlin build, but my speeds are usually 15 MB/s, I suspect it's due to my cheap USB 3 stick. But I do also have that option ticked.

The 'Reducing USB 3.0 Interference' is disabled on the runs I did with the Merlin fork. Enabling it basically makes the USB3 port run as USB2. I never noticed any problems with the 2.4GHz band running this way.