ASUS RT-N66U vs N56U for Virgin (SuperHub)

lmfy2k · 27 Nov 2012 at 09:52

so been using superhub on 100mb line and the wireless is pants

been looking at new routers and the Asus is what im going to get

but not sure which one, N56U or N66U?

id like best wifi performance but read the n56u has best throughput

will i be missing this throughput if i was to opt for the n66u?

does the n66 have VPN, QOS and guest wifi all via the official firmware?

also any issues with either of the Asus routers with superhub being in modem mode only?

Thanks

Avathar77 · 27 Nov 2012 at 10:01

I have the N56U since couple of weeks now.
Good so far, very strong signal, never dropped even once(have 12 wireless devices so far).
But I am bit stumped by the Guest network and QOS!
Guest network is available via custom firmware, but no QOS.
QOS is available via official firmware, but no Guest Network!

KIA · 27 Nov 2012 at 10:05

lmfy2k said:
will i be missing this throughput if i was to opt for the n66u?

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...n900-gigabit-router-reviewed?showall=&start=2
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wire...t-wireless-n-router-reviewed?showall=&start=1

Not unless you're going to get an insanely fast connection.

ChrisD. · 27 Nov 2012 at 10:18

Just go for the RT-N56U unless you need insane wireless distances.

lmfy2k · 27 Nov 2012 at 10:21

Code:

Test Description 	RT-N66U 	RT-N56U
WAN - LAN 	732 Mbps 	802 Mbps
LAN - WAN 	729 Mbps 	862 Mbps
Total Simultaneous 	810 Mbps 	1269 Mbps
Maximum Simultaneous Connections 	34,925 	34,925
Firmware Version 	3.1.0.3.90 	1.0.1.2

thanks for the guys

hmm, could do without the guest network

does the 56u do vpn ok ?

tbz_ck · 27 Nov 2012 at 11:47

lmfy2k said:
Code:

Test Description RT-N66U RT-N56U WAN - LAN 732 Mbps 802 Mbps LAN - WAN 729 Mbps 862 Mbps Total Simultaneous 810 Mbps 1269 Mbps Maximum Simultaneous Connections 34,925 34,925 Firmware Version 3.1.0.3.90 1.0.1.2

thanks for the guys

hmm, could do without the guest network

does the 56u do vpn ok ?

With the latest new official firmware the 56u does VPN just fine.

lmfy2k · 27 Nov 2012 at 12:28

thanks 56u ordered

hope its good!

tbz_ck · 27 Nov 2012 at 12:59

lmfy2k said:
thanks 56u ordered

hope its good!

It is. I'm delighted with mine

SidewinderINC · 22 Dec 2012 at 13:56

MilanoChris said:
Just go for the RT-N56U unless you need insane wireless distances.

Is it just distance, or also strength?

I have 3 structural walls (that appear to be filled with lead) between my current router (D-link DIR-615 that came with VM) and the bedroom and I rarely get wireless signal in there.

I'm looking to set up a small home server too, will the N56 perform well for that, and does the N66 have any additional features / user settings that would be of benefit in this case?

Broken Hope · 24 Dec 2012 at 12:37

Since the newest firmware update I think the only thing the N66 has over the N56 is guest network and 3rd party firmware supports this I believe.

SidewinderINC · 24 Dec 2012 at 13:10

Sweet, done deal! Ta muchly

Buckster · 24 Dec 2012 at 14:41

I bought N66 -very happy with it

I thought N66 had slightly better wireless performance ?

Rroff · 24 Dec 2012 at 14:46

n66u has really good range and strength on wifi but I found that out the box I had to flash it to the latest merlin firmware to get the best stability (partly due to the number of people here refreshing server lists playing games online and/or torrents) with the merlin FW its been 2+ week stable without a reboot with the official FW even latest it was requiring regular reboots under that type of use.

However the n66u seems to have some problems with wifi even on the merlin FW thats dropped back to the 220 radio code - some clients will start to see slow degredation of stability over time with either increasingly slower speeds or increasing frequency of disconnections and afaik theres no current way to solve it (seems to depend on the chipset on the client side).

IvanDobskey · 25 Dec 2012 at 12:37

My RT-N56U should be with me on the 27th from overclockers. Sick of the dire wifi performance on the virgin super hub. That thing is not fit for purpose!

kmetek · 6 Jan 2013 at 10:30

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/31963-asuswrt-merlin-reviewed

londonbairn · 17 Jan 2013 at 09:47

I ordered a n66u to replace the n56u I have. Not because the n56u has disappointed me, but because I want extra bit of range. I tried extenders but they were useless and caused instability on many devices.

Hoping the aerials on the n66u will give me an even better range. I will keep the n56u to run another wlan next to the consoles so they are maxed out connection wise.

Anyone tried using even bigger aerials on their n66u? I'd love to push my WLAN out further outdoors

tbz_ck · 17 Jan 2013 at 09:57

londonbairn said:
I ordered a n66u to replace the n56u I have. Not because the n56u has disappointed me, but because I want extra bit of range. I tried extenders but they were useless and caused instability on many devices.

Hoping the aerials on the n66u will give me an even better range. I will keep the n56u to run another wlan next to the consoles so they are maxed out connection wise.

Anyone tried using even bigger aerials on their n66u? I'd love to push my WLAN out further outdoors

Please report back on this when you have it set up. I used an n56u to replace the superhub + Netgear Wifi Range Extender because I wasn't happy with the cut in bandwidth through the extender. The signal quality is ok throughout the whole house with the n56u but on the poor side at the extremes of the property.

All in though, the n56u with the superhub acting as a modem is miles better. It really is an excellent router.

londonbairn · 17 Jan 2013 at 16:32

Will do, hopefully will install tonight

londonbairn · 19 Jan 2013 at 07:58

Installed last night, wireless range is definitely better versus the 56u. Where the 56U was near dropping, this is still 4 of 5 bars.

Keeping the 56U to run one of our printers and to have a strong 5g coverage in one of the rooms.

Happy with it

FerretBoy · 19 Jan 2013 at 17:28

I just upgraded from 56u to 66u (sold my 56u to a mate) and I cannot see any difference in wireless range/strength. It still drops in my toilet ><