Question 1

does it have an integrated modem?

Accepted Answer

NO this is a high performance router and you will still need something to convert it from the data provider to ethernet input.

Question 2

Do I really need this? I need longer stronger WiFi reach for cell phone use, gaming is done from a Desk top and my ISP speeds run at 150/150 and steady on FIOS. My only gaming is WOW and Diablo 3

Accepted Answer

I can't answer if you need this or not, but I can tell you the WIFI signal of this router is much greater than any other router I have used even my old Asus AC68R routers range is about half of the range of this router.  I like the fact it has 2 5 ghz bands and a seperate 2.4 ghz band also for legacy devices and extra range.  I was able to set up my old AC68R router 2 houses away for a neighbor as a repeater on a guest network set up on the 2.4ghz band on a guest network for him to get limited internet at his house using my internet connection.  I am happy with the upgrade and purchase.  I just wish it supported DD-WRT like the RT-AC5300, but the hardware and software are different and the GT-AC5300 does not support DD-WRT yet.  Other than that I have no complaints about this router with the latest firmware.  Hope this helps.

Question 3

will this router improve performance with satellite internet?

Accepted Answer

The inherent issue with satellite Internet is the unavoidable latency of sending/receiving packets from a satellite orbiting the earth.  I do not know of any method of reducing that latency except by connecting to the Internet by other means (microwave, fiber, cable, ADSL, etc). Those are not available everywhere though and satellite is available almost anywhere, which is one of its strengths

Question 4

Has anyone had a problem with wifi speed?

Accepted Answer

So far so good.  I've only tested mine with Speedtest, but my 250mbs connection was reading in at 290mbs with my MS Surface Book.  I also get over 200mbs with my 20 month old Sony Z5c phone.  Haven't tested internal network speed yet as my NAS isn't hooked up yet (and haven't had an opportunity to see if the link aggregation works).

This thing is huge... but it did update to the 15May firmware automatically and I didn't notice (nor did I have to reboot my modem).

Question 5

When was the lase firmware released? is it still suffering from disconnect or packet lost?

Accepted Answer

The latest Firmware is version 3.0.0.4.384_20308-gead790e dated 2-1-2018.  They fixed several bugs in this version including port aggregation.  I can now connect to my switch using 2 aggregated 1Gb ports, where I could not before, however it seems to be dropping those ports intermittently and I need to reboot the router to resolve.  Falling back to using a single port to my switch works flawlessly though and I have not noted any disconnects or packet losses except as mentioned above.

Question 6

Which router is the best? ASUS ROG GT-AC5300 or Netgear Nighthawk X10 Wireless AD7200 Router

Accepted Answer

I have both and each has its benefits and draw backs. Unfortunately, the draw backs on both have forced me to put my RT-AC5300 back into service. Both are fast and have basically the same range. The Nighthawk doesn't play well with other network devices (bridges, switches, etc). Oddly enough, the problem is worse if those devices are also Netgear. You will basically lose a wireless band as there are no 802.11ad adapters. The GT does play well with network devices but has been unstable. Asus has been SLOW with firmware updates with the last being about 5 months ago at the time of this writing. Personally, I would go with an RT-AC5300 and load up Merlin's firmware.

Question 7

How much RAM does this router have?

Accepted Answer

It has 4 GB of ram.  It is not in any specs, but it is on the box.

Question 8

Can this router be configured to reboot automatically at certain times? If so, what are the intervals (daily, weekly, monthly)?

Accepted Answer

I do not see a way to do an automatic reboot.

You can reboot the system remotely and possibly with an echo device.

Question 9

How many wireless clients are supported per 5ghz network?  I have about 30 devices I'd like to connect.

Accepted Answer

Although I have not connected that many 5 GHz devices to my rROG AC5300, I do not know of a twchnical limitation why it could not connect to 30 devices.  I have about 30 devices in all connected to my router over wireless, but I have segregated them between the two 5 GHz bands and the one 2.4 Ghz band based on device type and use.  2.4 GHz I use for general purpose devices like smoke alarms, thermostats, doorbell,  phones, laptops, etc.  One 5 GHz band I use for streaming devices, and the other 5 GHz I use for laptops or PCs that require high high bandwidth to wired devices like my NAS.

Just keep in mind what you will be using the 30 devices for and remember all of the devices connected to each wireless network are sharing the bandwidth on that wireless network with each other.

This is a nice router since it provides you with two 5 GHz networks, one 2.4 GHz network, two 5 GHz guest networks, and one 2.4 GHz guest network. Clients on the guest networks only have access to the Internet and do not have any access to devices connected to the main wired or wireless networks.

I hope this helps.

Question 10

Will this connect to our RV park's WiFi? We live in an RV park and I just need something that will connect automatically because I don't have any control over the settings of the wireless here. You know, to use it like a repeater. Thanks.

Accepted Answer

No, this wouldnt work as an extender or repeater to my knowledge. You would want to get something dedicated for that purpose. You could use this router to extend if you were hard lined into the primary router. You would also likely need to make a few settings changes inside the router though as well. To set this router up as more of a switch.

Questions & Answers