Help I Purchased RT-AC86U Should I return it? Also Need to set up network configuration

[ender84]

Ill keep that in mind, i shall post an update on friday, probaly havent a clue what im doing

You'll be fine. Setting up AiMesh is a snap.
At this point, having an AX network and an AC network in the same house is not going to affect much. After seeing your device list, I wager that your mobiles and maybe your laptop might be the only things taking advantage of AX.
A good philosophy is that if you can use ethernet, do it. Heck, I even wired my Firestick so my local media streams better.
After you get your stuff physically laid out and configured, go use the site survey tool and make sure you are on as unique of a channel mix as you can be. I don't know where you are located, but frequencies are getting pretty crowded.
If you want to get real fancy, don't name your 2.4g and 5g networks the same and sequester your lesser devices and IOT stuff to the 2.4g.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt as my own network is a mess lol.

 

[Tech9]

So 2 x AX68U would be the sweet spot?

You're making me nervous now. Yes, for about the same money 2x AX68U will be better than 1x AX68U + 1x AC86U. Why better? Because the routers are the same model, support the same Wi-Fi standards, they'll run the same software, be updated at the same time, they are newer model and longer support and more features are expected when the new Asuswrt RC3 becomes available. Sweet spot, G-spot - I don't know. Good enough for the price you pay.

 

[L&LD]

Did you read the link above? 1 RT-AX68U was superior to 2x RT-AC86Us in their environment.

If you can get away with 1 router, do so.

 

[KevyMatts]

Thank you everyone for there input greatly appreciated it , One more question once i recieve the router should I run stock Asus latest firmware or a merlin version for AX68U?

 

[Hawk]

Thank you everyone for there input greatly appreciated it , One more question once i recieve the router should I run stock Asus latest firmware or a merlin version for AX68U?

This is rather subjective, it really depends on you main use of router. If you intend to run VPN, scripts, selective routing and similar features than merlin variant of firmware, if just core functions then you can use stock as well. My advice try both and see what you like.

 

[KevyMatts]

Yes ill tinker around with it would like to look into VPN for my gaming PC at some point. But would like to have the best stability

 

[Tech9]

Yes ill tinker around with it would like to look into VPN for my gaming PC at some point. But would like to have the best stability

The more you tinker the less stability you'll have. Not sure VPN for gaming is a good idea - increased latency. Run stock Asuswrt, update to latest version available. Make sure the network runs as advertised and the routers are good units. If you need something else later on, look at Asuswrt-Merlin options.

 

[L&LD]

You don't train for a marathon by (only) biking to work. You train by doing the thing you want to excel at (i.e. You run).

Flash the RMerlin firmware right away and do a full reset (fully and properly) to get the maximum benefits of the hardware you bought.

The above is true whether you use any additional/advanced RMerlin features or not.

Asus is cooperating with RMerlin, but RMerlin is the lead here.

 

[Tech9]

Don't run too fast on non familiar paths, @KevyMatts. You may get lost before you know it.

From experience - AiMesh is easier to setup and runs more stable on stock Asuswrt, especially if you mix routers. Some may disagree, but this is what I know from my AiMesh tests with different Asus routers. Many folks run stock Asuswrt on nodes for this very same reason. Read the threads around and go slowly one change at a time. Start with what Asus suggests first using Asus provided guides.