RT-AC68U / RT-AC68P / RT-AC1900 / RT-AC1900P

[wouterv]

This post is a little wrap up of lot of post regarding the RT-AC68 and RT-AC1900 series router.

Below tables are compiled from currently available information I have:

FW => .380 indicates 3.0.0.4.380 or higher with an updated SDK is required.

For further reference, here a comparison of popular Asus 802.11ac routers:

For those who can't decide, here is some good information about router-number madness.
An opinion about MU-MIMO is written here.

Post revisions:

1. W suffix added: U = Universal, R = Reseller, W = White case
2. Amplifier type for A1 and A2 corrected.
3. E1 CPU added, 802.11ac router comparison table added.
4. Both tables updated based on the RT-AC1900P review.
5. RT-AC68A added.
6. RT-AC68A firmware note added.
7. GT-AC5300 added in the router comparison table.
8. TM-AC1900 added.
9. Updated info RT-AC68P and TM-AC1900.
10. RT-AC66U-B1 added (RT-AC68U in a "flat pack", a really enhanced version of the original RT-AC66U).
11. MU-MIMO link added.
12. RT-AC68U hardware B2 added (awaiting more details).
13. AiMesh and Smart Connect support added to the second table.
14. RT-AC1900U added (awaiting more details).
15. TM-AC1900 Clock speed corrected.
16. RT-AC68U hardware B2 updated.
17. RT-AC1900U details added.
18. RT-AC68U_V4 added, some details are here and about EOL (End Of Life).
19. Details of RT-AC68U_V3 and V4 added in the table.
20. Back to basics.
21. RT-AC1900U and RT-AC66U-B1 details added.

Resources and related posts (much more was written):
http://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac68u-reporting-1-ghz-cpu.29183/
http://www.snbforums.com/threads/upgrade-from-ac68u-to-ac5300-worth-it.35675/#post-290781
http://www.snbforums.com/threads/should-i-upgrade-from-my-rt-ac87u-go-with-the-rt-ac1900p-v3.34748/
http://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac68u-not-bad.35615/
http://www.snbforums.com/threads/have-any-body-heard-of-this-model-asus-rt-ac68a.31354/page-12
http://www.snbforums.com/threads/as...ireless-ac1900-gigabit-router-reviewed.36368/
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/rt-ac66u-b1-difference-between-hw-ver-a1-and-b1.38418/
ASUS Router EOL (End Of Life) overview.

Various wireless connect, disconnect and speed issues get solved by one or the other of the below settings which are Enable by default, make those setting changes in case of wireless issues:

• Advanced Settings - Wireless - Professional - 2.4 GHz
  • Modulation Scheme: Up to MCS 7 (802.11n)
  • Airtime Fairness: Disable
  • Explicit Beamforming: Disable
  • Universal Beamforming: Disable
• Advanced Settings - Wireless - Professional - 5 GHz
  • Airtime Fairness: Disable
  • Universal Beamforming: Disable

Around March 18 2024 the RT-AC68U is declared End Of Life (EOL) by ASUS.
End-of-life product list
Expand "Wireless Routers" and find:

When a product is end-of-life, it means:

• It is no longer manufactured
• Its certification will not be renewed
• Its firmware, utility, website, DM, QSG and manual will not be updated
• It may be replaced by a new product with updated hardware and similar functions

Disclaimer:
The given information in this post is all informally, to my best knowledge compiled from public domain information, and not confirmed by Asus.

 

[Pierino]

Should be a sticky.

 

[BrewWizard]

And there is also the "W" suffix, which appears to be the B1 version.

 

[wouterv]

To my

And there is also the "W" suffix, which appears to be the B1 version.

To my understanding the RT-AC68W is the White model (the U / R / P variants have a black case).
I assume the RT-AC68W comes in all known hardware versions.

 

[BrewWizard]

To my

To my understanding the RT-AC68W is the White model (the U / R / P variants have a black case).
I assume the RT-AC68W comes in all known hardware versions.

You are right on the first part (white). However, the place I've seen this router is Amazon - the version questions asked of users always come back B1 and 1 GHz. So I assume it is like the U 1GHz model. The f/w downloads are the same, as they should be.

 

[Roy2001]

I bought a Tmobile TC-AC1900, any idea it is a A1 or A2 or other version? The CPU is 800Mhz.

 

[Ah-Pin-Kor]

<nitpick mode>
It's 5023L, not 50023L.
</nitpick mode>

 

[elgar]

I have RT-AC68U revision C1. Is it possible to flash Tomato by Shibby firmware?

 

[sm00thpapa]

What's the latest version of the AC1900P? My local best buy has the V3 version on the shelves.

 

[wouterv]

I have RT-AC68U revision C1. Is it possible to flash Tomato by Shibby firmware?

When Tomato Shibby has a version compatible with Asus firmware 3.0.0.4.380 or newer (with new SDK) I assume yes.

 

[thiggins]

When did the RT-AC1900 first appear? It's available from third-party sellers on Amazon.

I apologize if the following is repeat information.

The attached FCC DoC letter (6/5/14) says the FCC ID MSQ-RTAC68UV2 applies to RT-AC68U/R/W/P, TM-AC1900 and RT-AC1900. But it does not list RT-AC1900P.

The 12-19-16 Class II change letter changes the radio chip from BCM4360KMLG to the BCM43602KMLG and adds the RT-AC68U V2 model #. The BCM43602KMLG has the on-chip CPU and is the same as used in AC 3200 class products.

The 3-29-16 Class II letter adds the RT-AC68 U V2 model (again) and also the RT-AC1900P. It also changes low noise amplifiers, CPU clock rate from 1.0 to 1.4 GHz and other miscellaneous changes.

Since the same FCC ID number is used for all models, current production of all models should all be functionally and spec equivalent.

The trick, of course, is knowing what vintage router you have.

I think the safe bet is that RT-AC1900, RT-AC1900P and RT-AC68U V2 are equivalent.

It's odd, however, that the internal photo file submitted with the 3/29/16 Class 2 change still shows BCM4360 radio chips.

 

[wouterv]

When did the RT-AC1900 first appear? It's available from third-party sellers on Amazon.

I apologize if the following is repeat information.

The attached FCC DoC letter (6/5/14) says the FCC ID MSQ-RTAC68UV2 applies to RT-AC68U/R/W/P, TM-AC1900 and RT-AC1900. But it does not list RT-AC1900P.

The 12-19-16 Class II change letter changes the radio chip from BCM4360KMLG to the BCM43602KMLG and adds the RT-AC68U V2 model #. The BCM43602KMLG has the on-chip CPU and is the same as used in AC 3200 class products.

The 3-29-16 Class II letter adds the RT-AC68 U V2 model (again) and also the RT-AC1900P. It also changes low noise amplifiers, CPU clock rate from 1.0 to 1.4 GHz and other miscellaneous changes.

Since the same FCC ID number is used for all models, current production of all models should all be functionally and spec equivalent.

The trick, of course, is knowing what vintage router you have.

I think the safe bet is that RT-AC1900, RT-AC1900P and RT-AC68U V2 are equivalent.

It's odd, however, that the internal photo file submitted with the 3/29/16 Class 2 change still shows BCM4360 radio chips.

My safe bet is as follows:

1. There are "vintage" RT-AC68 models with the 4708A or 4709 CPU and 4360 wireless chips, this seems to be the hardware versions A1, A2 and B1.
2. The first major upgrade is in 2014 with the new 43602 wireless chips "with CPU performance", this seems to be the hardware version C1.
3. The next major upgrade in 2016 with the 1.4 GHz CPU, the model name is for sure RT-AC1900P.

How the RT68UV2 relates to hardware versions (A1 to E1) is still vague. Maybe V2 is allready the B1 hardware variant.

 

[RMerlin]

HW rev C1 came out in early 2016. Asus sent me a sample in November or December 2015 ahead of launch (as firmware adjustments were required for it).

 

[thiggins]

Has anyone seen the RT-AC1900 (NOT P) in stores?

 

[wouterv]

When did the RT-AC1900 first appear? It's available from third-party sellers on Amazon.

I apologize if the following is repeat information.

The attached FCC DoC letter (6/5/14) says the FCC ID MSQ-RTAC68UV2 applies to RT-AC68U/R/W/P, TM-AC1900 and RT-AC1900. But it does not list RT-AC1900P.

The 12-19-16 Class II change letter changes the radio chip from BCM4360KMLG to the BCM43602KMLG and adds the RT-AC68U V2 model #. The BCM43602KMLG has the on-chip CPU and is the same as used in AC 3200 class products.

The 3-29-16 Class II letter adds the RT-AC68 U V2 model (again) and also the RT-AC1900P. It also changes low noise amplifiers, CPU clock rate from 1.0 to 1.4 GHz and other miscellaneous changes.

Since the same FCC ID number is used for all models, current production of all models should all be functionally and spec equivalent.

The trick, of course, is knowing what vintage router you have.

I think the safe bet is that RT-AC1900, RT-AC1900P and RT-AC68U V2 are equivalent.

It's odd, however, that the internal photo file submitted with the 3/29/16 Class 2 change still shows BCM4360 radio chips.

I looked at my RT-AC68U, H/W Ver A2, manufactured in 2016 and recently bought in the Netherlands/Europe.
The FCC ID is "MSQ-RTAC68U".
The documents shared by thiggins indicate "MSQ-RTAC68UV2", so I guess my new manufactured old style A2 is considered V1.
Funny thing is that my router front does not show it is the RT-AC68U (looking up pictures on Google I see that most routers do clearly show they are the RT-AC68U):

Regarding the RT-AC1900 (no P) it is at least advertised by Asus:
https://www.asus.com/Networking/RT-AC1900/

 

[thiggins]

The new Router Chart Search function will attempt to look up products that are not in the database. I'm amazed at the number of ASUS routers submitted that I had no idea existed.

I should note that I may not be correct in my assertion that all products with the same FCC ID perform the same. My ASUS contact tells me the TM-AC1900 (T-Mobile special) and RT-AC1900 are "similar", but the BestBuy exclusive RT-AC1900P is the only one with faster CPU and different PAs. I'm still trying to clarify. The RT-AC68U V2 and RT-AC1900P are "similar". But the AC68U V2 may not be released in the U.S.

 

[Pierino]

I have an rt-ac68uv2 h/w ver B1. In Ohio.
It has a 1ghz cpu.

 

[RMerlin]

The new Router Chart Search function will attempt to look up products that are not in the database. I'm amazed at the number of ASUS routers submitted that I had no idea existed.

Over the last year, Asus released no new flagship (aside the BRT-AC828 coming out in the next couple of weeks), but a crazy number of under-the-radar models and revisions. Like the RT-N300 and RT-N600 which are kinda replacing the RT-N12 and RT-N66U.

http://www.asus.com/Networking/Wireless-Routers-Products/

It's so many, I'm not sure how their development team even manages to deal with all of these.

 

[doczenith1]

I have an rt-ac68uv2 h/w ver B1. In Ohio.
It has a 1ghz cpu.

I have the exact same model purchased in February 2016 with Mfg. year 2015.

 

[thiggins]

I have an rt-ac68uv2 h/w ver B1. In Ohio.
It has a 1ghz cpu.

I know this is confusing. But that is not an RT-AC68U V2 model, even with the FCC ID it carries.