Best Firmware For ASUS RT-AC68U?

[thm1223]

Hi guys,

I just bought a new cable modem and router to take advantage of the higher speeds Time Warner rolled out in NYC (I'm getting a great deal of 200 down/20 up for $35/month).

The modem was very easy to set up (Motorola SB 6183), except that calling Time Warner to tie the device to my account was a pain in the ass (typical). But that is neither here nor there.

The reason I made this thread is to see what you guys think is the best firmware for my new router, the ASUS RT-AC68U (I actually bought the RT-AC68W, which is just the white version). I did a lot of research, and it seems like it is a toss up as to whether the R7000 or RT-AC68U is a better device. More specifically though, if you guys could let me know what you think the best firmware for a) performance and b) features is, it would be greatly appreciated.

So far it seems to me that either Tomato or Merlin's firmware are the best two options and are superior to ASUS's default firmware. But maybe you guys have more nuanced advice?

Thanks!

 

[mgttr]

I'm running the latest Asus firmware (3.0.0.4.376.3626) in my RT-AC68U and it works fine. Before that I was using one of the recent Merlin builds (RT-AC68U_3.0.0.4_376.47_0 I think) and that worked great too. For my simple configuration (one wired PC, about a dozen wireless devices, no special features used) there was no performance difference between the two. Merlin's firmware does offer more features though and it may have something you want/need.

There is a forked version of an older Merlin build (374.43) that has higher RF power if you are having reception problems - see sticky at this page: http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/forumdisplay.php?f=42 All current Asus and Merlin builds have RF power capped at 80% IIRC.

I'm not familiar with Tomato so I can't offer any advice on that. You can find lots of good info on Merlin builds and the RT-AC68U in general at the SmallNetBuilder forums.

The latest Asus firmware increases the firmware partition size in preparation for incorporation of new features in future releases - be aware that Merlin's builds don't do that. You could always flash the Asus firmware first, then load a Merlin build though.

 

[thm1223]

I'm running the latest Asus firmware (3.0.0.4.376.3626) in my RT-AC68U and it works fine. Before that I was using one of the recent Merlin builds (RT-AC68U_3.0.0.4_376.47_0 I think) and that worked great too. For my simple configuration (one wired PC, about a dozen wireless devices, no special features used) there was no performance difference between the two. Merlin's firmware does offer more features though and it may have something you want/need.

There is a forked version of an older Merlin build (374.43) that has higher RF power if you are having reception problems - see sticky at this page: http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/forumdisplay.php?f=42 All current Asus and Merlin builds have RF power capped at 80% IIRC.

I'm not familiar with Tomato so I can't offer any advice on that. You can find lots of good info on Merlin builds and the RT-AC68U in general at the SmallNetBuilder forums.

The latest Asus firmware increases the firmware partition size in preparation for incorporation of new features in future releases - be aware that Merlin's builds don't do that. You could always flash the Asus firmware first, then load a Merlin build though.

Thanks for the input! Pardon my ignorance, but what does the term "forked version" mean?

Also, I may just stick with the latest ASUS firmware, as you have done, if they've increased the partition size in anticipation of new features. Is there any word on what those new features might be?

 

[mgttr]

Thanks for the input! Pardon my ignorance, but what does the term "forked version" mean?

Also, I may just stick with the latest ASUS firmware, as you have done, if they've increased the partition size in anticipation of new features. Is there any word on what those new features might be?

The forked version is an older Merlin build that somebody else took over development of. It retains the higher RF power but eliminates some vulnerabilities that existed in the original version.

I don't think anyone knows yet what these new features might be.

See Merlin's advice in this thread: http://forums.smallnetbuilder.com/showthread.php?t=20861

 

[Daxwax]

Using merlin on my ac66u simply because it's possible to turn off the LEDs
Merlin is not focused on adding features, however.

 

[mgttr]

Using merlin on my ac66u simply because it's possible to turn off the LEDs
Merlin is not focused on adding features, however.

RT-AC68U has an actual switch on the back to control the lighting :awe:.

I know Merlin's stated objective was originally to improve stability and performance versus added features, but it seems like Asus has most of the bugs worked out by now (except for the screwed up 3602 firmware they released recently and quickly followed up with the fixed 3626 version), so in reality it might be that the feature set is the main attraction of Merlin now.

For the OP: it's not hard to flash the firmware, so I'd say start with the latest Asus to get a feel for it, and then try Merlin and see if you like it.

 

[Engineer]

Tomato for ARM is very BETA right now and not all of the functionality works. I've used Tomato for years (if not a decade) and I'm not using it yet on my RT-AC68U. I've been using the Merlin Fork version 3 (not updated to 4 or 5 yet because 3 simply works pretty good - up for the last 36 days).

Asus is in the process of locking down their firmwares due to new FCC mandate to lock power levels (all routers in the US will have to do this). There may be a point in the future that you cannot put 3rd party firmwares on the router at all...sadly!

 

[stlc8tr]

How much did you get the 68U/W for? Was it a lot cheaper than the 68P?

 

[Engineer]

How much did you get the 68U/W for? Was it a lot cheaper than the 68P?

Me? I bought the $99 TMobile version of the RT-AC68U and then flashed the bootloader CFE to Asus version as well as Merlin's fork firmware (now reads like a RT-AC68U). If I had TMobile service, I could have gotten it for $25 (or in some cases $0) but would have to return it if I cancelled service.

The 68P has an A9 1GHz processor vs the 68U's A8 at 800Mhz (both dual core). They do share the same firmware though.

 

[stlc8tr]

Me? I bought the $99 TMobile version of the RT-AC68U and then flashed the bootloader CFE to Asus version as well as Merlin's fork firmware (now reads like a RT-AC68U). If I had TMobile service, I could have gotten it for $25 (or in some cases $0) but would have to return it if I cancelled service.

The 68P has an A9 1GHz processor vs the 68U's A8 at 800Mhz (both dual core). They do share the same firmware though.

That's a great price for the AC68U. Do you have a link?

Thanks!

Edit: Ah, found it. If you are a pre-paid customer, then you get the $99 price.

http://www.tmonews.com/2014/09/t-mo...cs-dual-band-1900-gigabit-wireless-ac-router/

 

[thm1223]

RT-AC68U has an actual switch on the back to control the lighting :awe:.

Aww yeah! Mine comes today and that will definitely be a nice feature

How much did you get the 68U/W for? Was it a lot cheaper than the 68P?

I paid $145 for mine from Newegg. They had it as a deal of the day for $159 and then I checked out with the Newegg app & Google Wallet to get an additional $15 off.

Sounds like I will start off with ASUS's most recent firmware and then see if Merlin is worth a shot. Glad to know though that the ASUS firmware is in good shape.

 

[Engineer]

That's a great price for the AC68U. Do you have a link?

Thanks!

Edit: Ah, found it. If you are a pre-paid customer, then you get the $99 price.

http://www.tmonews.com/2014/09/t-mo...cs-dual-band-1900-gigabit-wireless-ac-router/

When I bought it, there were no requirements to be a customer! :biggrin: