RT-N66U or RT-AC56U for 5GHz?

[Poseidon]

(Note: typo on the subject title)

I've narrowed my wireless router choices to between the RT-AC56U and the RT-AC66U and I would like some recommendations as to which model to purchase.

My main concern is 5GHz wireless - so I need the one that performs better on that band and also that can handle netflix/gaming/facetime/ better as well.

The RT-AC66U is about $50 more expensive than the RT-AC56U. Is it worth spending that extra cash or is there not that much difference?

 

[ozgurcnbyz]

I am one of those idiots that opted for the more expensive one. I've had no info about home routers so i just got an ac66u thinking that its more expensive and also 66 meant newer than 56. turned out i was completely wrong. one and only advantage of ac66u is its wireless range. Depending on where you locate your router that may not be a problem as well. ac56u on the other hand, has way better cpu and supports time machine backup which is really important to me. it also mounts drives that are ext4 formatted. bottom-line ac66u is just not worth it. and there is this ac68u which combines 56u and 66u. so if i were in your shoes i'd reconsider my decision and buy a 68u instead.
edit: 56u supports usb 3.0 but more expensive ac66u doesn't

 

[L&LD]

By better do you mean range or throughput?

The 3 external antenna RT-AC66U will offer better range at the extreme edges.

The internal antenna RT-AC56U is the newer model with support for the latest drivers. At medium range; it may be the better choice for it's USB 3 support, faster processor (depending on your ISP speeds and need for QoS or other features that disable HW acceleration).

But I agree with the poster above; the RT-AC68U is the model to choose today for best 5GHz performance.

Range comparison (download)
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/119-5-ghz-profile-dn

Range comparison (upload)
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/120-5-ghz-profile-up


Throughput Maximum (close range upload)
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/120-5-ghz-profile-up?see=MAX


Throughput Maximum (close range download)
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/router-charts/bar/119-5-ghz-profile-dn


Note that the two models you're considering are very close to each other at their close range (Maximum) tests.

The RT-AC68U is in it's own class with these Asus routers.

Also note that the RT-AC68U's results are shown and tested with a much newer firmware.

That identical firmware is available for the RT-AC56U but it's charts as shown here are with the original shipped firmware (much improved since then).


Best advice is to buy both RT-AC56U and the RT-AC68U and test both (separately) and keep the one that meets your needs for the least dollars.

 

[Poseidon]

Bit the bullet and purchased the RT-AC68R (from Best Buy). I assume this is the SAME version/model as the RT-AC68U.

After trying the other 2 AC1900 routers (Nighthawk & EA6900) and getting subpar results - I'm hoping that Asus doesn't disappoint.

I updated to the latest stock factory firmware and set the 5GHz wifi to 80 MHz and channel 161 + I upped the power transmit to 90 (from default 80).

Is there any other settings 'tweakage' that is recommended to get the best and fastest speeds from 5GHz wireless?

 

[L&LD]

http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showpost.php?p=102550&postcount=4

Try those links for some suggestions that work well for me.

 

[r00t4rd3d]

Stay away from internal antenna routers(RT-AC56U) unless you live in a small space. This is even more important if you want to stream stuff and use 5Ghz.

 

[Pierino]

@LukeRich, the ac56u and ac66u do not have the same cpu. The ac56u is an arm cpu running at 800mhz, the ac66u is a MIPS CPU running at 600mhz.

 

[gregsl]

I recently purchased an n56u and i am extremely impressed with the range and speed. I am in a 3 story duplex and i get above 250 mbps connection speed from all floors (Asus on middle floor).

I am the only one on the cul-de-sac with 5ghz so that might have something to do with it. Its a bit slower (~200 mbps )on 2.4 at all the same locations.

I'd recommend it to anyone and its super cheap to buy online.

 

[admiral2145]

@LukeRich, the ac56u and ac66u do not have the same cpu. The ac56u is an arm cpu running at 800mhz, the ac66u is a MIPS CPU running at 600mhz.

The ac56u is a dual core that can be overclocked while the ac66u is a single core non overclocking.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

 

[Lost Dog]

For those reading with same question - AC66U. Better yet, AC68U. I went with AC68U and love it.

As far as I know, AC56U, AC66U both have similar specs. Same CPU and 256mb RAM.

The AC66U uses a slower 600 MHz single core processor. Both the AC56U and AC68U use the same 800 MHz dual core. You get a much more power router with the AC56U as compared to the AC66U but the drawback is the internal antennas.

 

[Poseidon]

Tweaks? These are my settings...

Traffic Manager > Qos > User defined QoS rules > Add "DNS, Time... etc" from drop down menu. Set priority to highest. Apple

Thank you so much for posting your settings. Question about the Qos rules. I've read here that if enabled, it causes some slowing issues and other problems.

Is it recommended to enable Qos as you have it?

 

[Pierino]

Thanks! Guess I must've found bad info. Am I looking in the wrong place, or do ASUS just not list these specs on their site? I can't find a spec sheet with this info.

Here. https://wikidevi.com/wiki/ASUS_RT-AC56U