RT-AX56U vs RT-AX58U vs RT-AX3000

[L0nkFromPA]

I saw that rmerlin now supports these 3 models and they're all in about the same price range.

Apparently the 56U has a 4 core processor, but the 58U and 3000 have 3 cores?

Also, the 56U appears to be 2x2 and the others appear to be 4x4?

I'd like to hear everyone's opinions as to which of these is the best deal.

Any comments from rmerlin about how long they might be supported if there's any difference? I saw that the 58U and 3000 have the same SoC and the 56U has a different one.

 

[Bulls729]

The AX-58U/AX-3000 are also 2x2 it's the AX88u that's 3x3.

A majority of mobile devices will be 2x2 however, so look into what you'll actually have that would need 3x3.

To my knowledge the AX3000 and AX58U are exactly the same, just different per retail outlet, they use the same Merlin Firmware image. The AX3000 is cheaper than the 58U, and is as low as $159 right now.

 

[L&LD]

@Bulls729 actually the RT-AX58U and the RT-AX3000 are identical models with different names, but the 5GHz radio is a 4x4:4 design.

@L0nkFromPA at similar price points, ignore the RT-AX56U model (even with its 4 core CPU), the RT-AX58U/AX3000 is the better buy.

The benefit of the 4x4:4 RF design is not only higher maximum throughput, but also potentially higher throughput at a longer range too (depending on the WiFi environment and the client device too).

 

[themiron]

rt-ax56u: 2.4Ghz 2x2:2 5Ghz 2x2:2 @80Mhz, no 160Mhz support
rt-ax58u: 2.4Ghz 2x2:2 5Ghz 2x4 @80Mhz and @160Mhz
rt-ax3000 is another name of rt-ax58u
rt-ax88u: 2.5Ghz 4x4:4 5Ghz 4x4:4 @160Mhz

 

[RAH-66]

rt-ax58u & rt-ax3000 have only 1 USB3
rt-ax56u have Usb3 + USB2

1 pack rt-ax92 is better choise, but don`t support Merlin

 

[L&LD]

@RAH-66 no RMerlin firmware, no dice! No second USB port? No worries.

 

[lucluke]

via https://www.mbreviews.com/asus-rt-ax58u-review/ :

The Asus RT-AX58U and the RT-AX3000 are not identical hardware-wise and the difference can be seen on the PCB, where the latter has a couple of Skyworks front-end modules for the 2.4GHz wireless chipset

2.4GHz in RT-AX58U is non amplified (poor performance).

Update (thanks RMerlin!):
2.4GHz in RT-AX58U is using built-in amplifiers BCM6750, probably not as efficient as external ones used in RT-AX3000 and RT-AX56U, which would explain multiple reports of poor 2.4 GHz performance of RT-AX58U.

RT-AX3000 and RT-AX56U also have built-in amplifiers for 2.4 GHz, but are using the external ones (Skyworks highly integrated front-end modules). Attached photos of amplified RT-AX3000 and non amplified RT-AX58U.

https://xenforo.com/community/help/bb-codes/

 

[lucluke]

Asus RT-AX58U and the RT-AX3000 use dedicated 5GHz chip (same as in higher end models) bcm43684.

https://www.broadcom.com/products/wireless/wireless-lan-infrastructure/bcm43684

They’re both based on bcm6750

https://www.broadcom.com/products/wireless/wireless-lan-infrastructure/bcm6750

Asus RT-AX56U uses bcm6755 for everything
https://www.broadcom.com/products/wireless/wireless-lan-infrastructure/bcm6755

 

[RMerlin]

2.4GHz in RT-AX58U is non amplified (poor performance).

That is incorrect. The BCM6750 used by the RT-AX58U has built-in amplifiers:

https://www.broadcom.com/products/wireless/wireless-lan-infrastructure/bcm6750

So, they are simply using these instead of using external ones.

 

[lucluke]

That is incorrect. The BCM6750 used by the RT-AX58U has built-in amplifiers:

https://www.broadcom.com/products/wireless/wireless-lan-infrastructure/bcm6750

So, they are simply using these instead of using external ones.

You're right, updating I'm guessing built-in amplifiers are not as efficient as external ones? This would explain multiple reports of poor 2.4 GHz performance of RT-AX58U?

RT-AX3000 and RT-AX56U also have built-in amplifiers for 2.4 GHz, but are using the external ones (Skyworks highly integrated front-end modules). Attached photos of amplified RT-AX3000 and non amplified RT-AX58U.

https://www.broadcom.com/products/wireless/wireless-lan-infrastructure/bcm6750
https://www.broadcom.com/products/wireless/wireless-lan-infrastructure/bcm6755

 

[lucluke]

Source: I'm looking for Asus router with a better range than my RT-AC68U.
Don't care too much about max speed (most of my devices are 2x2), have 1 Gbit up/down link, don't want to use multiple routers/mesh.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Asus_routers

I was initially thinking about RT-AC86U (as everyone recommends it), ordered and cancelled RT-AX92U (liked tri-band and small size, but uses very old chip for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz-1 BCM4352, 2 small internal antennas).

Deciding between RT-AX56U and RT-AX3000 (not RT-AX58U due to weak internal 2.4 GHz amplifiers).

Like the extra core of RT-AX56U and that everything is controlled by a single newer bcm6755 .
On the other hand it doesn't seem to be getting as many firmware updates.

RT-AX58U gets updates updates more frequently (maybe because it uses bcm43684 as most of the current AX lineup), uses bcm43684, has 4 amplifiers for 5 GHz, could potentially be modified to be used for 4800 mbps (5400 combined).

GT-AX11000 has everything I'm looking for (long range, tri-band, modern radios bcm43684) but is too big to be placed in a living room (that's why I initially liked AX92U).

 

[Deleted member 22229]

Glad to know you were incorrect. But for me it don't matter 2.4 GHz is and always will be Disabled.

 

[K-2SO]

I'm looking for Asus router with a better range than my RT-AC68U.

None of my router upgrades over years improved 2.4GHz significantly. Throughput is actually worse now due to band congestion.

 

[lucluke]

Glad to know you were incorrect. But for me it don't matter 2.4 GHz is and always will be Disabled.

I was correct, meant the external amplifiers, see above
I’m deciding between these 3 (now 2) routers, need 2.4 GHz with far range for my IoTs (security cams, sensors etc.).

 

[lucluke]

None of my router upgrades over years improved 2.4GHz significantly. Throughput is actually worse now due to band congestion.

Thanks, this is helpful

I’m looking also for range improvement on 5 GHz ac (ax features sound great, by only my iPhone would be able to use them).

 

[K-2SO]

Deciding between RT-AX56U and RT-AX3000 (not RT-AX58U

I believe @thiggins already answered this question:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/r...n-for-ac-only-client.63717/page-2#post-578975
RT-AX3000 and RT-AX58U are the same device with the same FCC ID. Get AX3000, sounds better.

 

[K-2SO]

need 2.4 GHz with far range for my IoTs

Extra wired AP is the only guaranteed solution.

 

[Deleted member 22229]

Can't answer for the AX3000. But i can tell you the AX58U for the money is hands down the best AX router on the market for it's price point. Best bang for the buck in the new AX world. I would not spend more until 6E routers hit the market.

 

[lucluke]

Awesome, thank you, getting AX3000

RT-AX3000 and RT-AX58U are the same device with the same FCC ID. Get AX3000, sounds better.

I've got the external amplifier screenshot from the FCC filing (attached), I'm kinda surprised that they were allowed to remove it (and only in AX58U).

 

[lucluke]

I believe @thiggins already answered this question:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/r...n-for-ac-only-client.63717/page-2#post-578975
RT-AX3000 and RT-AX58U are the same device with the same FCC ID. Get AX3000, sounds better.

Thanks for this link, awesome