[Maylyn's Review] ASUS RT-AC87U

[Number9]

Thanks for some of the suggestion folks have given me. Finally, I figured the problem. It turns out mobo software that shapes traffic was causing some hindrance, so I removed it. I'm getting an average 780Mbps which is decent I suppose.

Found another problem: I hooked up router to the aztech homeplugs 1200mbps, which gave me about 80-90 mbps. Guess my house circuits are not up to standard. I will need to get 20m cat 6 wires to pull it to my room. Anybody know where I can get a good deal?

 

[dfran1]

First , I want to thank Asus on here for caring , this is something not found everywhere if at all today!
!!!!THANK YOU!!!!!

This is absolutely the best firmware to date from you !!!!!! Thank you!!

Now , my findings .......

1. Wifi is great !!!
2. I received my NAS and took my USB off the router, I have perfect playback (I have not tested the routers USB and don't plan to).
3. No PS4 lag with UPNP
But if you turn off UPNP and then DMZ to the PS4, I get lag ( just so you know , not that I care much) is there a reason for that?

I have not turned on the guest network yet.

Thank you !!!

All this took 8 months
A lot of complaining.
A lot of criticism from a few.
A lot of asus reading our complaints ( especially in the past 3 months)
A lot of asus going out to create our problems so they can duplicate them ( ex....buying a PS4)
.........
Just thank you for careing soo much
You have restored my full faith in your products

Outstanding
Can't wait for the rest of fixes , of course beam forming is most likely not your problem but the 5GHz Chip's driver.
But now we know you are on the right track, please don't give up on us
Thank you asus !!!!!!

Come on people and thank asus , it's not that often a manufacturer participates , they deserve that ..

 

[Jong99]

Yes, 4950 is great. Thanks Asus and thanks jk, for supporting a great beta programme.

 

[arsene]

My Asus RT66U just conk out and I bought a Asus AC87 as replacement. Just wanted to check if I upgraded the firmware to the latest, do I still need to check the factory default from CTF-2 to CTF1 in order to use the SingTel - MIO TV preset? I am on a Singtel Fibre 200 mbps plan. Your help is much appreciated as I hope to set up my router tonight.

 

[kendrick272]

If i do some torrenting, does ac87u suits me or i need to get the ac3200?

I have 4 mobile devices, 1 tablet and 4 pcs at home. Im still pondering to get ac87u or ac3200.
I did some reading but still indecisive. In terms of performance, ac87u still rocks but for the ac3200, it can auto switch the device to the lower band so that it will not affect the rest.

Oh ya, 1 more thing. Between these 2 devices, who has a better range of wifi?

 

[renfred89]

My Asus RT66U just conk out and I bought a Asus AC87 as replacement. Just wanted to check if I upgraded the firmware to the latest, do I still need to check the factory default from CTF-2 to CTF1 in order to use the SingTel - MIO TV preset? I am on a Singtel Fibre 200 mbps plan. Your help is much appreciated as I hope to set up my router tonight.

No you dont have to, in fact in the latest firmware, you cant choose ctf 1 or 2,but only disable or auto.

Leave it to auto is the best..

 

[renfred89]

If i do some torrenting, does ac87u suits me or i need to get the ac3200?

I have 4 mobile devices, 1 tablet and 4 pcs at home. Im still pondering to get ac87u or ac3200.
I did some reading but still indecisive. In terms of performance, ac87u still rocks but for the ac3200, it can auto switch the device to the lower band so that it will not affect the rest.

Oh ya, 1 more thing. Between these 2 devices, who has a better range of wifi?

Torrenting performance is not dependant on the wireless performance.. At least, not directly.

Smart connect on ac3200 is not working right for what it is intended for. The firmware resolving this should be out soon..

If u have the luxury of money, go for ac3200..

 

[kendrick272]

Torrenting performance is not dependant on the wireless performance.. At least, not directly.

Smart connect on ac3200 is not working right for what it is intended for. The firmware resolving this should be out soon..

If u have the luxury of money, go for ac3200..

But you need strong wifi in order to torrent properly right? Cos the AP will be at 1st floor whereby my pc is at 2nd level.

What about wifi range, who has the upper hand? Or i should get ac87u + rp-ac52?

 

[renfred89]

But you need strong wifi in order to torrent properly right? Cos the AP will be at 1st floor whereby my pc is at 2nd level.

What about wifi range, who has the upper hand? Or i should get ac87u + rp-ac52?

But the performance between this 2 routers are negligible in difference..

 

[yukita]

I'll go for AC68 and load John9527 Fork anytime.

I happen have own both routers.
87u have got more range....no doubt about it.

One more factor useful to consider is stability.... and 87u is not exactly a finished product in my own option. Feature for example beamforming is still beta-ish at best. Problem with devices auto dc is rampant with this router. To be far, asus is working proactively to resolve our complaints here. No guarantee how this router will turn out with future firmwares.... am keeping my fingers crossed.

thanks for the info ... so the additional $50 to get AC87 worth it?
actually whether i can spend either $249 or $299. just trying to get better value for money.

i read somewhere 4 antennas on AC87 only 3 works at a time for a band, if multi band then only 4 antennas is better. so is that means 3 antennas on AC68 is good enough if i just use lets say 2.4ghz?

i still not sure if i should get AC87 as seems like this products got issue here and there... although i didnt really read much on this thread (too long). but from what posted of intermittent disconnection aka stability issue.... i think i should go to AC68.
but will that be a good choice ?

 

[kendrick272]

But the performance between this 2 routers are negligible in difference..

If able to afford, go for the ac3200?
Cos challenger selling at $389 and $419 respectively, difference of $30.

Singtel gonna setup the fibre for me next week. They provide Aztech FG7003GRV(AC), is it good? Or should i get the ac3200 first and ask the singtel guys to setup for me. And keep the aztech as backup?

 

[renfred89]

thanks for the info ... so the additional $50 to get AC87 worth it?
actually whether i can spend either $249 or $299. just trying to get better value for money.

i read somewhere 4 antennas on AC87 only 3 works at a time for a band, if multi band then only 4 antennas is better. so is that means 3 antennas on AC68 is good enough if i just use lets say 2.4ghz?

i still not sure if i should get AC87 as seems like this products got issue here and there... although i didnt really read much on this thread (too long).

AC87U is a 4x4 router. Since the wireless clients on the market right now are all 3x3 and below, AC87U will only work at 3x3 maximum. In time to come, there may be 4x4 devices surfacing and you'll know the difference when u use them.

Most of the core wireless features are working right now, and the latest firmware is stable enough for non power users.

By the looks of your post, i dont think u will encounter any of the fatal flaws ac87u has at the moment as these problems will only surface when u push the router way beyond reasonable usage.

Of cos, the usual dc for ios devices is still present.. Do note.

 

[trichard]

In market what wireless client is 3x3 ?

 

[renfred89]

If able to afford, go for the ac3200?
Cos challenger selling at $389 and $419 respectively, difference of $30.

Singtel gonna setup the fibre for me next week. They provide Aztech FG7003GRV(AC), is it good? Or should i get the ac3200 first and ask the singtel guys to setup for me. And keep the aztech as backup?

By protocol the technicians will not bother to set up for you any 3rd party routers. But some experienced ones will help u out of goodwill, but they wont be responsible for any technical problems you encounter. Likewise, if u call 1688 for technical help, they wont provide any assistance for ur ac3200.

If ur house has 2 stories or higher, forget abt 7003. Esoecially if u have fish pond above at 2nd floor, good luck to you. It wont sustain a decent connection besides the ground floor..

Using ac3200 or ac87u, u still have a decent chance of sustaining decent connection at upper floors, but not a full speed and best coverage.

You need to fall back on LAN cables..

 

[renfred89]

In market what wireless client is 3x3 ?

Hahas u always disturb me.. Asking something u alr know!

 

[trichard]

Hahas u always disturb me.. Asking something u alr know!

There is none other than AC87 --- AC87 ........

Tio bor ?

By the way 4x4 come .... already AC89 or 90 or 99 ....

 

[kendrick272]

By protocol the technicians will not bother to set up for you any 3rd party routers. But some experienced ones will help u out of goodwill, but they wont be responsible for any technical problems you encounter. Likewise, if u call 1688 for technical help, they wont provide any assistance for ur ac3200.

If ur house has 2 stories or higher, forget abt 7003. Esoecially if u have fish pond above at 2nd floor, good luck to you. It wont sustain a decent connection besides the ground floor..

Using ac3200 or ac87u, u still have a decent chance of sustaining decent connection at upper floors, but not a full speed and best coverage.

You need to fall back on LAN cables..

I got no choice, hard wiring is not an option for me which is why im still on adsl. Finally signed up fibre over the weekend as there are many devices and users.

In my case, either ac3200/ac87u + a wireless extender should reach 3rd floor with decent speed?

 

[renfred89]

I got no choice, hard wiring is not an option for me which is why im still on adsl. Finally signed up fibre over the weekend as there are many devices and users.

In my case, either ac3200/ac87u + a wireless extender should reach 3rd floor with decent speed?

Haahs u have the option to lay cables if u pay..

No point using wireless extender, because the speed will decrease likely by a quarter.

Eg: if u get a 500mbps extender. 250mbps is alr taken up to communicate with router and 250mbps is available for usage. In reality, the speed u achieve is close to half of the 250 or less. Which is 125 or less. With 125mbps speed u tell me how do u torrent? Hahas

You have no choice but to use cables. With cables, u can install access points and its good for big houses. If not, there is no way u can utilise the maximum potential of ur speed plan just by using wireless extender or home plugs.

Another option is to use sineoji 1800mbps home plugs, but u gotta be sure ur power lines are in top condition, if not the home plugs are just white elephants..

 

[kendrick272]

Haahs u have the option to lay cables if u pay..

No point using wireless extender, because the speed will decrease likely by a quarter.

Eg: if u get a 500mbps extender. 250mbps is alr taken up to communicate with router and 250mbps is available for usage. In reality, the speed u achieve is close to half of the 250 or less. Which is 125 or less. With 125mbps speed u tell me how do u torrent? Hahas

You have no choice but to use cables. With cables, u can install access points and its good for big houses. If not, there is no way u can utilise the maximum potential of ur speed plan just by using wireless extender or home plugs.

Another option is to use sineoji 1800mbps home plugs, but u gotta be sure ur power lines are in top condition, if not the home plugs are just white elephants..

I cant do hard wiring as this is my parents' house. They dont allow me to do so as its ugly.

So wireless extender is pointless?

Im getting a 500mbps fibre connection soon compared to my current adsl 15mbps. Even if wireless extender, 125mbps sounds good enough to me tho


Homeplugs works only if the electric circuit is linked throughout the whole house. Currently, it works for 2nd and 3rd level but for level 1, it doesnt work well.

Headache

 

[renfred89]

I cant do hard wiring as this is my parents' house. They dont allow me to do so as its ugly.

So wireless extender is pointless?

Im getting a 500mbps fibre connection soon compared to my current adsl 15mbps. Even if wireless extender, 125mbps sounds good enough to me tho


Homeplugs works only if the electric circuit is linked throughout the whole house. Currently, it works for 2nd and 3rd level but for level 1, it doesnt work well.

Headache

Hahas.. First world problems..
I
Anyway, hard wiring can be done discreetly and in minimal dust.. All u need to do is to engage a decent contractor and yes, it will be a few hundred dollars for big houses like you.

But the price is worth since such cables can last for at least maybe 5yrs or more..

Wireless extender works but if u intend to do heavy torrenting and gaming, it is confirm not gonna be a gd experience.

I overcome all problems when i finally laid the cables..

Maybe u wanna consider 200mbps plan instead of 500. 200mbps can uograde anytime while 500mbps cannot be downgraded during contractual period..