Question I need a new router, what do you guys recommends me: quad-core cpu with 128mb ram or dual-core with 256mb ram?

[demlasjr]

Hello everyone!
I need to decide between this two routers:

https://www.asus.com/Networking/RT-AC65P/overview/
https://www.asus.com/Networking/RT-AC58U/overview/

The maximum speed isn't a problem for me since I don't have more than 300mbps symmetrical speed.
But what's more important? RAM or CPU?

RT-AC65P have
CPU1: MediaTek MT7621AT (880 MHz, 2 cores)
FLA1: 128 MiB (Macronix MX30LF1G18AC-TI)
RAM1: 256 MiB (Winbond W632GG6KB-15)

RT-AC58P have
CPU1: Qualcomm IPQ4018 (710 MHz, 4 cores)
FLA1: 128 MiB (Winbond W25N01GVZEIG)
FLA2: 2 MiB (Macronix MX25L1606EM2I-12G)
RAM1: 128 MiB (Nanya NT5CC64M16GP-DI)

Thanks in advance!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Those are pretty low-end. Any chance that you could find a router based on a Broadcom platform, even if it is refurbished?

 

[demlasjr]

Those are pretty low-end. Any chance that you could find a router based on a Broadcom platform, even if it is refurbished?

Low-end?
Those are kinda the most expensive for their category (1200Mbps-1900mbps). The others are all 2400Mbps-3200Mbps.
I checked TP-Link, Asus, D-Link, Linksys etc and all of them gives you 1 core cpu and 64-128 mb ram for the price of this ones.
Those Broadcom are 150% more expensive. And all are 2-core and 128/256 ram memory

Thanks for reply

P.S: I'm thinking about this one: https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RT-AC86U/

 

[VirtualLarry]

yeah, the AC86U is a good choice.

Broadcom was the original OEM platform builder of the Linksys WRT54G. They have a long history of stable firmware and router platforms. Plus, they are the platform most targeted (supported by) by third-party firmware. (This is a GOOD thing.)

Companies like MediaTek, churn out cheapo SoCs, that some companies put into budget-oriented routers. Much like RealTek, there's not much in the way of third-party firmware, and not much to write home about their routers.

Qualcomm-Atheros, they've had their hits and misses. Their claim to fame was early-on hardware support for QoS offloading in the chipset, so it could be done more-or-less at line rate.

 

[SamirD]

I wouldn't worry so much about the processors and other specs versus what reviews show those units doing what you most likely will do with them.

All consumer routers have drawbacks and flaws--you just need to find the one with the least issues for your use case.

 

[demlasjr]

yeah, the AC86U is a good choice.

Broadcom was the original OEM platform builder of the Linksys WRT54G. They have a long history of stable firmware and router platforms. Plus, they are the platform most targeted (supported by) by third-party firmware. (This is a GOOD thing.)

Companies like MediaTek, churn out cheapo SoCs, that some companies put into budget-oriented routers. Much like RealTek, there's not much in the way of third-party firmware, and not much to write home about their routers.

Qualcomm-Atheros, they've had their hits and misses. Their claim to fame was early-on hardware support for QoS offloading in the chipset, so it could be done more-or-less at line rate.

I kinda not trust Mediatek either, as a phone repair tech I know the trouble they give. But this is a new world for me (routers cpu) and I don't know how much cpu influences speed. In youtube reviews, I've seen low load, but those routers having 128mb have like 90mb in use.

I wouldn't worry so much about the processors and other specs versus what reviews show those units doing what you most likely will do with them.

All consumer routers have drawbacks and flaws--you just need to find the one with the least issues for your use case.

Yeah mate, but if I'll spend $100 or over, I want a good one to have it many years... Future proof. Since everyday we have more devices in our home, I don't want one to get slow, drop connections or die.
I tried last say a Xiaomi Mi Router 4A and was pretty cool, but then I found there is no vlan config and I need it to replace a fiber modem. And I already got 2 devices with "Limited connection" and until I reboot the router, I couldn't get them back in business. That was weird...

Removed Tapatalk sig.
Moderator Aigomorla

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah mate, but if I'll spend $100 or over, I want a good one to have it many years... Future proof.

This is, in a nutshell, why you would want a Broadcom-based router, because of the proliferation of third-party firmware for them. That way, they can live on, with third-party firmware, rather than become obsolete when factory firmware (security updates!) stop.

One reason why I like most Asus routers, that use Broadcom chipsets.

Recommended:
Asus RT-N12/D1 (Broadcom, only 10/100 WAN/LAN though)
Asus N66U
Asus AC66U
Asus AC68U (*my personal favorite)
Asus AC86U

 

[SamirD]

Yeah mate, but if I'll spend $100 or over, I want a good one to have it many years... Future proof. Since everyday we have more devices in our home, I don't want one to get slow, drop connections or die.

In the consumer router world, I don't think you'll ever find this. The hardware isn't designed to last forever and it isn't designed as mission critical gear so it will have bugs that will inevitably cause you to have to reboot it at some point depending on your usage patterns.

What you're talking about is what I needed years ago and found it in enterprise gear. But that's a step up in price. (Although it is a huge value add for what you're getting as enterprise gear deals with vlans, etc natively and with ease.) I'd consider upping your budget and taking the plunge if it's something you really want. I couldn't be happier with what we're running and would have uptimes in years if it wasn't for extended power outages.

 

[aigomorla]

i would honestly never buy a consumer router period.
I would always go the enterprise route, and build a Pfsense / Sophos box out of a otocom, and then use dedicated Access Points for Wifi.
But that is just me...

If i had to go something prebuilt and consumer line, i would look at ubiquiti, and still run dedicated access points.

Even ubiquiti USG + Cloud key + Access point is a much better route then anything even linksys has to offer let alone Asus.

 

[demlasjr]

That's why I was looking for Asus @VirtualLarry!
However, I like their firmware, so I'll probably use asuswrt-merlin, which is greatly improved than stock but try to stay original.
What I like about Asus is that it's impossible to brick and is extremely easy to change firmware or rollback to stock.

I know that enterprise is way better and I used Aruba for a while, but I need a family router with just normal settings and easy to set with a great wifi coverage without spending $500.

Before I also used TP-Link Archer device and I was pretty happy but the firmware was awful. Same about Linksys and I bricked it trying to flash it...

Removed Tapatalk Sig.
Moderator Aigomorla

 

[aigomorla]

have you considered an edge router?
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Edg...ti+edgerouter&qid=1565016312&s=gateway&sr=8-4

And a separate access point then?

i would still chose a ubiquiti brand over asus and linksys.

There are a lot of youtube videos in how to setup a edge router as well.

 

[demlasjr]

have you considered an edge router?
https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Edg...ti+edgerouter&qid=1565016312&s=gateway&sr=8-4

And a separate access point then?

i would still chose a ubiquiti brand over asus and linksys.

There are a lot of youtube videos in how to setup a edge router as well.

Yes...I've checked that option too, buying that one with a UAP-AC-Lite. I was even thinking to add a controller to my Aruba AP-205 and use it, but still, there are only 800 mbps in 5Ghz, a 6 years old device and all for a little more than the Asus one.

 

[aigomorla]

:\

Well i guess if its just for a small household, then a consumer line will be OK....
Personally i have way too many smart outlets and other stuff, which require internet to be stable all the time.

If limited by your choices, would then probably go with the 86U and not look back, as i have heard a lot of positive about it.

 

[demlasjr]

Yep, there is a lot of positive feedback about it. I have smart outlets and alarms, TV, business in the same building, 4 smartphones connected and so on....so...maybe 20-25 devices connected. I need stable connection, most for tv. I install for other businesses enterprise solutions by Ubiquiti but I don't want the hassle of NAT, UPnP etc on those professional devices. Also too many devices and cable since I read that ER-X SFP doesn't work in my network without adapter, which is in development. So it will be adapter or gpon + ER-X (for triple play: phone, tv and internet) + AP and all this for a one-floor house.

Also those Ubiquiti have 256+128 MB RAM and dual-core/single-core Mediatek/Broadcom cpus..

 

[mxnerd]

If you are so worry about the performance of the router CPU, then build your own x86 based router/firewall (like popular pfSense) then add access point.

There were vigorous discussions here.
https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/want-to-downsize-my-pfsense-box-netgate-sg-1000.2561731/

x86 solution lets you choose your own x86 PC and you can run a lot of add-ons.