RT-AC68u overclock - slow webui and browsing speeds?

[josh3003]

Hey there, I am running CFE 1.1.1.2 and 386.2 merlin on my rt-ac68u.
I recently upgraded to 225/25 internet and speeds seem to be a bit slow over the wifi. Just wondering if this is a limitation and aging router - even though I only purchased it 18mo ago for this internet speed.
I ran the ssh commands

nvram set asuscfeclkfreq=1200,666 && nvram set asuscfecommit=1
nvram set clkfreq=1200,666 && nvram commit && reboot

and still after rebooting the webui browsing appears/feels slower than before. Any ideas or tips? It still feels like a solid router but not sure if it is looking likely to upgrade to an ax router soon.

 

[ColinTaylor]

Check that your speed hack has actually done what you think it has.

# cat /proc/cpuinfo
Processor       : ARMv7 Processor rev 0 (v7l)
processor       : 0
BogoMIPS        : 2398.61

processor       : 1
BogoMIPS        : 2398.61

Features        : swp half thumb fastmult edsp
CPU implementer : 0x41
CPU architecture: 7
CPU variant     : 0x3
CPU part        : 0xc09
CPU revision    : 0

Hardware        : Northstar Prototype
Revision        : 0000
Serial          : 0000000000000000

 

[josh3003]

Alright, can you share what you did? Looks like we have the same revision though mines at 199 BogoMIPS lol.

Processor       : ARMv7 Processor rev 0 (v7l)
processor       : 0
BogoMIPS        : 199.06

processor       : 1
BogoMIPS        : 199.47

Features        : swp half thumb fastmult edsp
CPU implementer : 0x41
CPU architecture: 7
CPU variant     : 0x3
CPU part        : 0xc09
CPU revision    : 0

Hardware        : Northstar Prototype
Revision        : 0000
Serial          : 0000000000000000

 

[Wallace_n_Gromit]

What do you see when you enter SSH command:

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep BogoMIPS

Dang, ColinTaylor beat me to it.

Some RT-AC68U's can't be Overclocked. If yours can you can try a "safe" way offered by Ironclad: (that's the way I do it)

[Release] Asuswrt-Merlin 384.13 is now available

No it simply means that the PC in question has SMBv1 enabled. They probably just opened Windows Explorer and browsed the network. OK, but Windows Explorer open for 6-8 hours? Does not compute. I understand Windows can be aggressive with network traffic (I have a story about Windows 2000...) but...

www.snbforums.com

EDIT: Just searching for prior references to Overclocking/RTAC68U/CFE 1.1.1.2...

There have been prior attempts to overclock using that particular CFE version, which have failed. I think the prevailing thought on this forum (from prior posts) is that the CFE has been locked from being able to be overclocked on that particular version of the RTAC68U.

Attempts to revert to an earlier overclockable version of the CFE is risky (the broadcom chip version is different for the older CFE; and the older CFE won't run on the newer broadcom chip) and thus typically fails.

 

[ColinTaylor]

All the recent firmwares have checks for overclocking or invalid speeds and lock down the speed to 100 MHz if it detects it. Obviously that's why it feels so slow.

I don't know if there's a way around that. To be honest I've not looked into it because I runs John's fork which doesn't have this restriction.

 

[josh3003]

Ok well how do I get it back to factory speeds to begin with?

EDIT: Ok, just reset it at the wall. Back to 1998.84 BogoMIPS now.

 

[john9527]

I don't know if there's a way around that. To be honest I've not looked into it because I runs John's fork which doesn't have this restriction.

Actually, it can happen on my fork as well. I ran into this on a AC68U running my firmware with the newer cfe.

 

[josh3003]

Actually, it can happen on my fork as well. I ran into this on a AC68U running my firmware with the newer cfe.

So I am SOL if I am on Merlin and what to try OC on 1.1.1.2?

 

[john9527]

So I am SOL if I am on Merlin and what to try OC on 1.1.1.2?

AFAIK, yes....I'm not aware of any 'hacked' cfe.

 

[Lord Lovaduck]

Hey there, I am running CFE 1.1.1.2 and 386.2 merlin on my rt-ac68u.
I recently upgraded to 225/25 internet and speeds seem to be a bit slow over the wifi. Just wondering if this is a limitation and aging router - even though I only purchased it 18mo ago for this internet speed.
I ran the ssh commands

nvram set asuscfeclkfreq=1200,666 && nvram set asuscfecommit=1
nvram set clkfreq=1200,666 && nvram commit && reboot

and still after rebooting the webui browsing appears/feels slower than before. Any ideas or tips? It still feels like a solid router but not sure if it is looking likely to upgrade to an ax router soon.

Hi there guys...
I am considering overclocking one of my AC68U's. I am adding a cooling fan to take care of the temperature. I am running Merlin 386.4 on this unit, would like to test overclocking there.
I also have John's fork and can switch to it if needed... I read somewhere that it is easier to overclock?
How do you revert in case there are problems? Can I test without committing the NVRAM changes to the CFE?
Thanks!

 

[Tech9]

Hi there guys...

All the answers to your questions are in the posts above.

 

[Lord Lovaduck]

All the answers to your questions are in the posts above.

Thanks, I was coming back here to report I have found the answers in the posts above {facepalm}.
I shall do my homework more thoroughly.... thanks Tech9!
P.S. Actually got it all done, but I still don't believe the overclocking works!

 

[Lord Lovaduck]

Hi there guys...
I am considering overclocking one of my AC68U's. I am adding a cooling fan to take care of the temperature. I am running Merlin 386.4 on this unit, would like to test overclocking there.
I also have John's fork and can switch to it if needed... I read somewhere that it is easier to overclock?
How do you revert in case there are problems? Can I test without committing the NVRAM changes to the CFE?
Thanks!

Hello again! So I am back to report. I finished my little, for fun, OC project. I added a 12 volt fan taken from an old Intel CPU heatsink to my older AC68U router. It is now happily overclocked to (1200,800), temperature a steady 55 C with full load (it is connected to a 75 Mbps fiber and serves seven apartments).
I used an LM2596 Step-down module to feed the fan. It can be adjusted to the desired voltage, regulating the fan speed. I took power straight from the router switch. With a 6.6 voltage it is very silent and the cooling is perfect.
I cut a hole in the back of the case to place the fan. Glued it with epoxy. Not a great looking finish since the 10 minute curing time is too short for doing a nice work but it's solid. So far, so good!
Here are some photos...

 

[Tech9]

You f#%$! up a good router for no reason.

 

[DeepAnger]

Here are some photos...

No hole, no cut, no glue but no overclock.

 

[Lord Lovaduck]

You f#%$! up a good router for no reason.

And proud of it!
P.S.: Pure Fun has always been a good enough reason for me!!!!

 

[Lord Lovaduck]

No hole, no cut, no glue but no overclock.

Wow that's barely a fever!!! Looks good!!!