Asus TUF AX3000 (V1 and V2), RT-AX58U (V1 and V2), RT-AX3000, RT-AX3000P, RT-AX57, RT-AX56U, RT-AX55, RT-AX53U, RT-AX1800HP, RT-AX1800U

[xiaofan]

For higher end and mid-range Asus router, please go to the other thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...-rt-ax5400-tuf-ax5400-and-tuf-ax4200.6315347/

Note: I do not recommend lower end Asus ZenWiFi series like ZenWiFi 4/5/6 (okay as mesh node after a powerful router like TUF-AX6000, RT-AX86U, RT-AX86U Pro or GT-AX6000) as they seem to have multiple issues as reported in this forum, especially when the main node is also the main router.

If you want to upgrade from the list of Asus routers here, you can consider TUF-AX42000 at around S$249 in September 2023.

For the routers covered in this thread. All of them have relatively weak CPU BCM6750/6755/6756, similar to the CPU in RT-AX82U V1/V2 and TUF-AX5400 and ZenWiFi XT8/XD6.

1. The following routers are more recommended compared to the lower-end ones as the main router.
Mid-low end (512MB RAM, USB port): TUF-AX3000 V1/V2, RT-AX58U V1/V2, RT-AX3000, RT-AX56U (EOLed by Asus)

2. The following routers are more recommended as AP or AImesh node, not as main router.
Low end (256MB RAM, no USB port): RT-AX3000P, RT-AX57, RT-AX56U, RT-AX55, RT-AX53U

Notes:

1) China version of RT-AX56U V2 is similar to RT-AX55, not the same as RT-AX56U.

2) Chipset info for reference (not always correct)
http://en.techinfodepot.shoutwiki.com/wiki/List_of_802.11ax_Hardware

3) TUF-AX3000 V2 has a 2.5G WAN port. All the others in this thread do not have 2.5G port.

4) Merlin FW Support

RT-AX58U V1 is officially supported by Merlin FW, but not RT-AX58U V2.
RT-AX56U support has been dropped from Merlin since Asus has EOLed the model.
TUF-AX3000 V1 is supported by gnuton Merlin fork but not TUF-AX3000 V2.
The other models are not supported (including TUF-AX3000 V2 and RT-AX58U V2).

5) OpenWRT support
RT-AX53U and RT-AX1800: officially supported since version 22.03.
TUF-AX4200: snapshot release
RT-AX54HP (it seems to be similar to RT-AX1800HP): snapshot release

Reference:
https://openwrt.org/toh/views/toh_available_16128_ax-wifi

6) M1 RT-AX3000P (or previously RT-AX55) vs TP-Link Archer AX72 (FAQ)
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/threads/which-router-is-better-asus-or-tp-link.6952537/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Edit: remove RT-AX82U from this thread as it is more mentioned in the RT-AX86U/RT-AX82U thread.

 

[xiaofan]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Asus RT-AX82U and TUF AX3000

Three Asus models (AX82U, AX58U and TUF AX3000) actually share the same Broadcom BCM6750 CPU. Major difference is the wifi spec. RT-AX82U is AX5400 rated and the other two are AX3000 rated.

It is said that TUF AX3000 has pretty much the same HW as RT-AX82U and can potentially unlock the capability to become the same AX5400 grade (4T4R AX 160MHz on 5GHz band).

Chinese Router website acwifi.net has come out with the test of a new FW of TUF AX3000 which unlocks 4T4R.

Ref:
https://www.acwifi.net/11751.html

Not sure if the SG version of TUF AX3000 has the unlock FW available. Some time ago it was on offer for S$229. RT-AX82U promotion price is at S$329 and normally at S$359.

If this hack works, then no point to buy the RT-AX82U already.

TUF AX3000 v1 review 1
https://www.blacktubi.com/review/asus-tuf-ax3000/

Review 2

 

[xiaofan]

Acwifi tear down of TUF AX3000
https://www.acwifi.net/8294.html

BCM6750 + BCM43864 for 5GHz 160MHz support, SKY85743-11 high power 5GHz FEM, same as RT-AX82U

Before the new FW hack, normally it is 2T4R as per ACwifi.
https://www.acwifi.net/11648.html

You can use Google Translate if you do not understand Chinese.

 

[klilynwong]

I have TUF AX3000, may I know does it compatible with Lyra AC2200? Thanks

 

[xiaofan]

I have TUF AX3000, may I know does it compatible with Lyra AC2200? Thanks

It should be better if using as a Single router.

Lyra AC2200 is triband do it will be better as a Mesh solution if you do not have Ethernet ports and need to use wireless backhaul.

If you have Ethernet backhaul, then TUF AX3000 is also good with AIMesh.

But it should be compatible with Lyra as well in AImesh mode. I think you need to have Ethernet link between the main Lyra 2200 to the TUF AX3000 to have better performance.

Ref: Asus FAQ, adding Lyra to AImesh
https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1038071/

 

[klilynwong]

Yes. I wish to use the Lyra AC2200 as AI Mesh.

 

[xiaofan]

BTW, past AX82U discussions are covered a bit in the RT-AX86U and RT-AX82U thread. But majority of the interests are toward RT-AX86U there.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...-clinic-4/asus-rt-ax86u-rt-ax82u-6315347.html

Past RT-AX58U discussions are mainly in the RT-AX58U vs TP-Link Archer AX50 AX3000 thread.
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...outer-asus-rt-ax58u-tp-link-ax50-6231279.html

 

[xiaofan]

Asus router 11.11 offer

TUF AX3000 at S$229 is a pretty good offer.

 

[carey]

Asus router 11.11 offer

TUF AX3000 at S$229 is a pretty good offer.

Strange, i thought the TUF AX3000 is better than the normal AX3000 (which I bought a few months ago at S$229) and yet they are offered at the same price

 

[xiaofan]

Strange, i thought the TUF AX3000 is better than the normal AX3000 (which I bought a few months ago at S$229) and yet they are offered at the same price

Yes this is interesting.

The S$229 offer for TUF AX3000 is still on today.
https://shopee.sg/product/68909495/6732511649?smtt=0.190081821-1606087012.9

Supposedly today is the last day though as per the Asus poster.

 

[Kaltong]

Need advice here. TUF-AX3000 or RT-AX58U, which model should I get? Not a gamer.

 

[xiaofan]

Need advice here. TUF-AX3000 or RT-AX58U, which model should I get? Not a gamer.

If you want to use Merlin FW, get RT-AX58U. Merlin is popular 3rd party FW for Asus routers. It does not support TUF gaming routers.
https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/wiki/Supported-Devices

If you want to stick to Asus Stock FW, get TUF AX3000.

Personally I will recommend TUF AX3000 which is higher class product. But I myself have bought the China version of RT-AX82U during 11.11 from Taobao.

BTW, there is an alternative FW for TUF AX3000 from Chinese hackers.
https://koolshare.cn/thread-179968-1-1.html

 

[Kaltong]

If you want to use Merlin FW, get RT-AX58U. Merlin is popular 3rd party FW for Asus routers. It does not support TUF gaming routers.
https://github.com/RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng/wiki/Supported-Devices

If you want to stick to Asus Stock FW, get TUF AX3000.

Personally I will recommend TUF AX3000 which is higher class product. But I myself have bought the China version of RT-AX82U during 11.11 from Taobao.

BTW, there is an alternative FW for TUF AX3000 from Chinese hackers.
https://koolshare.cn/thread-179968-1-1.html

Many Thanks

 

[lotusnotes]

If you want to use Merlin FW, get RT-AX58U. Merlin is popular 3rd party FW for Asus routers. It does not support TUF gaming routers.

Personally I will recommend TUF AX3000 which is higher class product. But I myself have bought the China version of RT-AX82U during 11.11 from Taobao.

isn't AX58U and TUFAX3000 the same except for the latter has a delicate "gaming" port? if so, why it is higher class leh?

 

[xiaofan]

isn't AX58U and TUFAX3000 the same except for the latter has a delicate "gaming" port? if so, why it is higher class leh?

Not really. It is said TUF AX3000 has 4*4 AX just like the AX82U (4T4R)

Ref:
https://www.acwifi.net/11751.html

But then I am not sure if this only applicable to the China version of TUF AX3000 or not.

Ref:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/the-story-on-rt-ax58u-rt-ax3000-rt-ax82u-streams.64245/

It could be all three are the same 4T4R capable but then Asus uses software control to create 3 different SKU.

****
Tim: Why use a four stream device if only two streams are used?

ASUS: Recently we will launch another new model RT-AX82U which support 2.4GHz 2X2 & 5GHz 4X4.
RT-AX58U/RT-AX3000/RT-AX82U these three models share the same layout design, same chipset platform so that we can put them in the same FCC certification report.

Tim: Are four streams being used for receive and 2 streams for transmit for 5 GHz?

ASUS: Yes. For RT-AX58U and RT-AX3000, the 5GHz band become 2T4R due to software control.
****

 

[lotusnotes]

Thanks Xiaofan. I nvr see this when doing my homework so i bought ax58u.

 

[miloaisdino]

Not really. It is said TUF AX3000 has 4*4 AX just like the AX82U (4T4R)

Ref:
https://www.acwifi.net/11751.html

But then I am not sure if this only applicable to the China version of TUF AX3000 or not.

Ref:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/the-story-on-rt-ax58u-rt-ax3000-rt-ax82u-streams.64245/

It could be all three are the same 4T4R capable but then Asus uses software control to create 3 different SKU.

****
Tim: Why use a four stream device if only two streams are used?

ASUS: Recently we will launch another new model RT-AX82U which support 2.4GHz 2X2 & 5GHz 4X4.
RT-AX58U/RT-AX3000/RT-AX82U these three models share the same layout design, same chipset platform so that we can put them in the same FCC certification report.

Tim: Are four streams being used for receive and 2 streams for transmit for 5 GHz?

ASUS: Yes. For RT-AX58U and RT-AX3000, the 5GHz band become 2T4R due to software control.
****

can convert one model to the other by "crossflashing", koolshare has the instructions

 

[xiaofan]

can convert one model to the other by "crossflashing", koolshare has the instructions

Yes it was so tempting to buy the cheaper RT-AX58U/TUF AX3000 at S$229 (local version with 3 year warranty) and then flash it to RT-AX82U which is much more expensive. I almost bought the local version of TUF AX3000 from Lazada myself on 11.11.

But in the end I decided to buy just the China version RT-AX82U proper as it is still cheaper than S$229, with the risk of no local warranty.

 

[RLWZ21]

can convert one model to the other by "crossflashing", koolshare has the instructions

seems like this koolshare has done quite a number of hacks to make most router into asus

 

[porky_88]

From what i see RT-AX58U/AX3000 and RT-AX82U are the same except for the led stuff. But TUF-AX3000 has two additional skyworks FE on the 2.4G.

RT-AX58U

RT-AX82U

TUF-AX3000