RT-AC86U vs RT-AC5300

[Find the Door]

Hi all,

I currently have the RT-AC5300 but am wrestling with the idea of the AC86U. I'm tempted by the CPU discrepancy personally. I have a modest configuration with two wired clients (PS4 Pro, 4k HDR Smart tv) and three wireless clients (two phones, 1 other 4k HDR Smart tv)

The wired smart TV is a non-factor. The wireless one however is constantly streaming 4k content, and one of the phones is constantly streaming hi-res YouTube. I'd be interested in the 86U as I'd think the processor would better handle QoS implementations.


Would I be incorrect in thinking this to be the case? I just want to being that my network set-up is pretty modest I think that the 5300 is a bit overkill and that the third band isn't necessary. I know personally I'd rather sacrifice the 3rd band for better overall routing performance with the superior CPU.


I know the RT-AC5300 is supported by Merlin, how about the AC86U?

 

[psychopomp1]

Or you may want to forget Asus completely and go for the tri-band Linksys EA9500v2 - not to be confused with the inferior EA9500V1. The EA9500V2 uses a 64 bit 1.8ghz quadcore processor with 1GB ram and is more powerful than the Asus RT-AC5300 and the AC86U. Hardware-wise its almost identical to Asus' flagship GT-AC5300 but without the bugs.

Our internet is 300/30, like you we have a smart tv in our household which is streaming online content almost 24/7. We have dedicated one of the 5ghz bands on the EA9500v2 exclusively to the TV whilst all remaining devices share the other 2 bands and this works a treat. On the downside the EA9500V2 firmware is less feature rich than Asus routers (eg no OpenVPN) though stability on the router is great and does the basic things brilliantly - brilliant wifi coverage, router doesn't need rebooting and can cope with pretty much anything. Until recently the EA9500v2 was almost impossible to get hold of, however there are now a few sellers available on ebay.com who are also offering int'l shipping. Give EA9500V2 a try, you might be pleasantly surprised by it

 

[lukaszzsch]

Hi all,

I currently have the RT-AC5300 but am wrestling with the idea of the AC86U. I'm tempted by the CPU discrepancy personally. I have a modest configuration with two wired clients (PS4 Pro, 4k HDR Smart tv) and three wireless clients (two phones, 1 other 4k HDR Smart tv)

The wired smart TV is a non-factor. The wireless one however is constantly streaming 4k content, and one of the phones is constantly streaming hi-res YouTube. I'd be interested in the 86U as I'd think the processor would better handle QoS implementations.


Would I be incorrect in thinking this to be the case? I just want to being that my network set-up is pretty modest I think that the 5300 is a bit overkill and that the third band isn't necessary. I know personally I'd rather sacrifice the 3rd band for better overall routing performance with the superior CPU.


I know the RT-AC5300 is supported by Merlin, how about the AC86U?

I’ve been using rt-ac5300 for almost 2 years and recently ordered 86u. I had exactly the same reasons, i think that more powerful CPU gives more advantages that second 5ghz radio, especially i switched its off(5ghz2) and found out that overall stability of WiFi in my flat got improved.(use OpenVPN, ab-solution, skynet, dnscrypt)

We will see very soon when my 86u is delivered to me what is really worth. But I think is is a good way of upgrade.

 

[Find the Door]

I’ve been using rt-ac5300 for almost 2 years and recently ordered 86u. I had exactly the same reasons, i think that more powerful CPU gives more advantages that second 5ghz radio, especially i switched its off(5ghz2) and found out that overall stability of WiFi in my flat got improved.(use OpenVPN, ab-solution, skynet, dnscrypt)

We will see very soon when my 86u is delivered to me what is really worth. But I think is is a good way of upgrade.

My exact thoughts as well. I'm looking forward to it myself for the same reasons.

 

[maxbraketorque]

My exact thoughts as well. I'm looking forward to it myself for the same reasons.

Based on the SNB wireless testing results and my own experience with testing the AC86U against other ASUS routers, I think the RT-AC5300 will have better range. If range is not an issue, the the AC86U could be a good choice if you feel the need to upgrade. I'm wondering though if you really need to upgrade. Its not obvious to me that the more powerful processor in the AC86U will actually make its obviously faster than the AC5300 with QOS enabled. Also, do you really need QOS? Have you tried running without it? If your RT-AC5300 is buggy, then the AC86U may be a worthwhile upgrade. My AC86U has been rock solid.

 

[Find the Door]

Based on the SNB wireless testing results and my own experience with testing the AC86U against other ASUS routers, I think the RT-AC5300 will have better range. If range is not an issue, the the AC86U could be a good choice if you feel the need to upgrade. I'm wondering though if you really need to upgrade. Its not obvious to me that the more powerful processor in the AC86U will actually make its obviously faster than the AC5300 with QOS enabled. Also, do you really need QOS? Have you tried running without it? If your RT-AC5300 is buggy, then the AC86U may be a worthwhile upgrade. My AC86U has been rock solid.

I definitely need QoS as I have high demand streams that interferes with gaming.

 

[ASadani]

I have the AC-5300 and use VPN on it. I have been contemplating the upgrade myself. I am on a 100 Mbps connection and the AC-5300 can achieve almost up to 80 Mbps on UDP. However these days the ISP has blocked UDP and we have to resort to using TCP which gets only about 30 - 50 Mbps. I'm wondering if the upgrade will help with this speed boost as the 86u has a better processor.

 

[Find the Door]

I have the AC-5300 and use VPN on it. I have been contemplating the upgrade myself. I am on a 100 Mbps connection and the AC-5300 can achieve almost up to 80 Mbps on UDP. However these days the ISP has blocked UDP and we have to resort to using TCP which gets only about 30 - 50 Mbps. I'm wondering if the upgrade will help with this speed boost as the 86u has a better processor.

To my understanding for CPU reliant tasks like QoS and VPN you'd see a difference even if a small one. I'm personally for any ounce better I can get when considering and upgrade.

 

[ASadani]

To my understanding for CPU reliant tasks like QoS and VPN you'd see a difference even if a small one. I'm personally for any ounce better I can get when considering and upgrade.

That is true but I've heard the range is worse than the AC5300. The AC5300 has a range boost applied which is lacking with the new one.

 

[Find the Door]

That is true but I've heard the range is worse than the AC5300. The AC5300 has a range boost applied which is lacking with the new one.

I believe they both have range boost, but regardless I'd anticipate the 5300 to have better range regardless. In my set-up apartment I shouldn't notice a difference at worst and should notice the benefits at best.

 

[ASadani]

I believe they both have range boost, but regardless I'd anticipate the 5300 to have better range regardless. In my set-up apartment I shouldn't notice a difference at worst and should notice the benefits at best.

I meant something else by Range Boost. AC5300 natively also didn't cut it.

 

[Raphie]

I'm on a RT-AC5300 Using both 2.4gh and 5gh 1 & 2

I've got a 200/20 cable connection and the 5300 perfectly delivers full bandwidth
I run Skynet, AB-Solution and Pixelserv and have NO performance issues whatsoever.
My clients are
2 PC's (1 wired, 1 5G)
7 IOS devices (all 5G)
3 Smart TV's (2 with Chromecast) 1 wired, 2 5G
1 PS4 Pro (wired)
1 AC66u as accesspoint
1 Netgear GS108T switch
1 Chromecast Audio
1 Synology 12 bay NAS (1512 + expansion)

no performance issues whatsover, QOS NOT configured, Netflix 4k works just fine.
I'm tempted by the 86 as well, but being rational, I would not see or expect a measureable performance increase, I speedtest max bandwidth I pay for, get 10ms pings on WAN and have no coverage issues. I CAN spend the money but other than my CPU utilization MAYBE going from 10% to 8% or so, I would not expect to notice any difference.

 

[ASadani]

I'm on a RT-AC5300 Using both 2.4gh and 5gh 1 & 2

I've got a 200/20 cable connection and the 5300 perfectly delivers full bandwidth
I run Skynet, AB-Solution and Pixelserv and have NO performance issues whatsoever.
My clients are
2 PC's (1 wired, 1 5G)
7 IOS devices (all 5G)
3 Smart TV's (2 with Chromecast) 1 wired, 2 5G
1 PS4 Pro (wired)
1 AC66u as accesspoint
1 Netgear GS108T switch
1 Chromecast Audio
1 Synology 12 bay NAS (1512 + expansion)

no performance issues whatsover, QOS NOT configured, Netflix 4k works just fine.
I'm tempted by the 86 as well, but being rational, I would not see or expect a measureable performance increase, I speedtest max bandwidth I pay for, get 10ms pings on WAN and have no coverage issues. I CAN spend the money but other than my CPU utilization MAYBE going from 10% to 8% or so, I would not expect to notice any difference.

The AC5300 is a superior unit. I still don't see the need to activate all three bands. I have the 2.4 Ghz and the 5 Ghz 2 band enabled. I have disabled one of the 5G Bands. The experience is difference (i believe) with the VPN's though as openvpn uses one core only. I have tried Entware and tested openconnect but that too is not fully optimized for the 5300. I have heard that there is entware 3x merge for the 86u for a faster speed etc. At the moment I haven't seen a valid reason to move to the 86u even though I am extremly tempted to. I also have the netgear x10 sitting in the box as the VPN setup on that is not as optimal as expected.

 

[Raphie]

That's the thing, I don't use VPN as a consumer as I don't do warez or reside on risky sites. On the business side VPN is provided. though very little used nowadays as most services and applications moved to cloud anyway.
If I would download a lot of copyrighted material and leech newsgroups 24/7 I would be more interested in VPN performance, but I don't see the usecase for "regular" usage

 

[ASadani]

That's the thing, I don't use VPN as a consumer as I don't do warez or reside on risky sites. On the business side VPN is provided. though very little used nowadays as most services and applications moved to cloud anyway.

Not everyone uses VPN for warez or reside on risky sites. Some countries have a lot of blocks which make it hard to live without. For example whatsapp, skype to name a few. For that, you would need such a solution.

Agreed for work you can have the vpn on your work pc but that is also elective as the drive to move to cloud is strong.

 

[Raphie]

True, I live in western europe though and access is not the issue, I've got freedom of speech and have no itch to logon onto UK or US netflix or any other localized services that use IP to control territory. So for me is it's just added complexity, overhead and cost without a usercase.
Appreciate things are different for others.

 

[ASadani]

True, I live in western europe though and access is not the issue, I've got freedom of speech and have no itch to logon onto UK or US netflix or any other localized services that use IP to control territory.

I moved from US and had my subs running perfectly well when I was there. They all continue to work with VPN. In short I've gone through multiple routers and have foudn the AC-5300 rock solid.

 

[maxbraketorque]

One thing I'll suggest to people wondering about whether other routers are better - why not buy and try? You can always sell one of the routers used, and if its the AC86U that you don't want, I'm sure that it can be sold for nearly your purchase price because they are so hot right now. I bought AC3100 and AC86U, decided I liked the AC86U better, and sold the AC3100 for $40 less than I bought it. I consider the loss a fair cost for piece-of-mind.

 

[ASadani]

One thing I'll suggest to people wondering about whether other routers are better - why not buy and try? You can always sell one of the routers used, and if its the AC86U that you don't want, I'm sure that it can be sold for nearly your purchase price because they are so hot right now. I bought AC3100 and AC86U, decided I liked the AC86U better, and sold the AC3100 for $40 less than I bought it. I consider the loss a fair cost for piece-of-mind.

Although traditionally what you have said makes sense in the US and a few countries, some of us live in places where there is minimal to no second source market. I have a Netgear X10 brand new in my closet only because there is no one willing to pay the price for it. I was offered about 80 USD for it because it has been opened. They would rather buy a brand new sealed basic model vs getting a used one even though it is defined as new.

 

[VANT]

That is true but I've heard the range is worse than the AC5300. The AC5300 has a range boost applied which is lacking with the new one.

Range Boost is only in new wifi chipset with E
Only GT-AC5300 and RT-AC86u have Range Boost.