Thank you for the feedback.

Please disregard my earlier comments.

Just realized I was using the wrong speed test. The servers are in India. So the speed not reflective of Malaysian traffic.

I will update the results with OOKLA Speedtest.

Monday blues.

Regards,

This is the best I can get using DIR-868L converted to AC68U on 5ghz. My phone is 1x1 antenna. So link rate is 433mbps.

Unifi 500 down | 100 up. Distance about 3m with 1 brick wall in between. Going nearer doesn't make much difference.

Dear fisherman10,

Looks like DIR-868L could support maximum 300 DL/50 DL Mbps plan. Higher plans require better router.

Alternatively, you can get a higher plans but use the limitation as traffic bandwidth limiter from each node.

Basically, DIR-868L is good for 100 Mbps and 300 Mbps internet plans. Suitable for typical Malaysian families (4-6 people).

Regards,

I think the limitation is my phone. My phone is only 1x1 antenna. DIR-868L is 3x3 5g antenna. Max link rate of 1300mbps. Real life best speeds usually around 50% of 1300.

So technically it can max out my Unifi 500mbps if my phone/laptop/wifi adapter has 3x3 antenna config.

2.4 GHz WiFi performance Tenda 6 and Tenda 11.

In the past, I did not pay much attention to 2.4 GHz WiFi performance because I will always choose 5 GHz in my phone.

Based on what DIR-868L users saying about the 2.4 GHz mediocre performance, I decide to check other brand routers at my disposal in my workplace.

The results could be use as comparison with DIR-868L 2.4 GHz performance.

We are having Tenda AC6 and AC11. Both are AC1200 class budget routers. 

Internet connection is capped to 100 Mbps DL/100 Mbps UL.

Attached performance table of my short testing.



First value is UL and second value is DL in Mbps. dB is signal strength from 2 m from Oppo F1 Plus phone.

2 m reading is inside same room. 15 m reading from outside room with 2 gypsum board walls.

Interestingly, Tenda AC11 are delivering better 2.4 GHz speeds at 2 m and 15 m.

Tenda AC6 2.4 GHz performance almost same like DIR-868L.

However, Tenda AC6 is better at 5 GHz.

DIR-868L 2.4 Ghz performance definitely mediocre. 

Regards,

That is true too.

I remembered that AiMesh router and node is connected at close to 600 Mbps regardless AiMesh or Repeater mode.



They are connected 3x3 @ 5 GHz channel 36.

But most everyday people are having 1x1 antenna phones.

Those can afford expensive phones surely will not even consider DIR-868L as their router.

We are here in this forum to share our internet hardware experience, good and bad.

Just helping everyday people to get the most performance from their home internet hardware without spending too much money.

Regards,

Looks like your repeater/node is placed a bit too far from the main router. My 2x2 repeater placed upstairs can maintain at the best theoretical rate 867mbps.
For my DIR-868L with 3x3, can't get max of 1300mbps. Can get 1000+ or around 900

This is my previous setup. Asus AC55UHP as repeater. Since it's a 2x2 antenna WiFi, 867mbps is the best link rate.

Just to clarify, those speed test on ac6 & ac11 are only for stock firmware correct?
Not flashed with ac66u (if available)

Just to clarify, those speed test on ac6 & ac11 are only for stock firmware correct?
Not flashed with ac66u (if available)

Dear members,

I finally managed to purchase a WiFI6 router during the Shopee 4.4 Megasale.

A TP-Link AX50 for less than RM250 after seller discounts (Regular price is RM299).

Initially I was thinking to get TP-Link AX20 (On sale for RM229) but during the sale the difference between them is not much, so AX50 it is.

TP-Link AP73 was also available at RM359. This model is overkill for my house.

However, I do not have any WiFI6 devices yet so only WiFi4 and WIFi5 testing for now.

WiFi5 only marginal improvements. You really need WiFi6 devices to see a big difference.

WiFi4 is another story.

I can actually getting at least double (almost triple) on the second floor in comparison to DIR-868L(Asuswrt-Merlin firmware).

Now this is what you call progress!

BTW, it is true that AX50 is a little hot but not as hot as DIR-868L. So my AX50 is being cooled using my simple cooling setup.

Regards,

Can you see what's the link rate for WiFi4 on your device? Based on specs, AX50 is 2x2 antenna for WiFi4 whereas DIR-868L is 3x3 antenna for WiFi4.

And are you comparing with fixed DIR-868L or before the 2.4g fix?

TP-Link AX50 Updates:

I managed to do some quick tests with my Oppo HP (1x1 radio). My internet is 300Mbps DL/ and 50Mbps UL.

Measurement taken from my kitchen blocked by one brick wall and partially blocked by a fridge. Distance about 5 metres.

The fastest speed so far. At least better then what I got from DIR-868L.



Mixed reading for 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Link connection @ 5GHz = 433Mbps and Link connection @ 2.4GHz = 72Mbps.

OOKla Speedtest. Each from different server.



I must admit, a bit disappointed with the 5 GHz performance.

I guest I have to wait when we upgrade to WiFi6 devices or to 500 Mbps DL/100 UL plan (overkill for our needs).

On the other hand, 2.4 GHz performance, improved a lot compared to DIR-868L. Can stream FHD at 2.4GHz.

BTW. The simple cooling setup (80x80mm USB cooler) worked well for the TP-Link AX50. No overheating.



Regards,

Updated 17 April 2021

misk94
I’ve successfully flashed my 1st unit, but I’m having some trouble with 2nd one.
I’m on the last step to upload firmware on asustek cfe page, but i would either get timeout issues (within 1 minute) or just page unresponsive before firmware fully uploaded. I can see the upload progress going to 50-60% before timeout

Any solution for this?

Last step ip should be 192.168.1.1,  not 192.168.0.1. If its 192.168.0 1, that means you have not clear nvram properly.  Need to use wps + power on, after internet led blinks for 10 secs,  release the wps button.

If you still can not get in done in miniweb screen,  easiest is to to asus firmware restore,  download from ac68u firmware page,  fast and  easy.  Just make sure your pc is set to static ip like 192.168.1.3 etc

I cleared a few times on the nvram (on the miniweb page)
Seems like timeout too soon before complete upload

Followed your second step with using asus firmware restore with ac68u first, later flashed with ac66u which worked for me.
If i use the ac66u firmware directly it just resets at 87% 😅

Another issue found

Nvm, physical nvram fixed the wifi issue

Next follow my guide at post #98 to fix 2.4G wifi. Choose the AC66U_B1 version

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/5079525/+80#