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ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 Dual-Band Router (EU Stock) $276.83 Delivered @ Amazon DE via AU

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Was looking for a new router as my trusty Asus RT-AC68U is acting up due to low NVRAM and stumbled upon this GT-AX6000. From my quick search, this seem like all time low however do note it takes about 6 weeks estimated delivery from Amazon DE. Local stock seem to be around the $600 mark and historical deals around the $400+ mark.
Note this is only WiFi 6 which is more than sufficient for my needs.

Note: EU stock.

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 Dual-Band WiFi 6 Extendable Gaming Router, Dual 2.5G Ports, Triple-level Game Acceleration, Mobile Game Mode, Aura RGB, Subscription-free Network Security, AiMesh Compatible

High-Efficiency WiFi 6 - Ultrafast WiFi 6 dual-band router boosts speed up to 6000 Mbps, with 160 MHz channels for better efficiency and throughput
Dual 2.5G Ports - Traffic via 2.5G ports has top priority; flexible WAN/LAN network port configurations
Extreme Quad-Core CPU Power - High-performance 2.0 GHz quad-core 64-bit CPU takes computational capabilities to the next level
Expanded coverage - The exclusive ASUS RangeBoost Plus improves signal range and overall coverage
Triple-Level Game Acceleration - Accelerate game traffic every step of the way from device to game server
Included components: rj-45 cable, power adapter, quick start guide, warranty card

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

Related Stores

Amazon AU
Amazon AU
Marketplace
Amazon Germany Store
Amazon Germany Store

closed Comments

  • +4

    Wow, great router and this price seems amazing.

  • Pretty sure I paid around this for a refurb…. Top tier bargain.

  • Paid sub 500 12 months ago…

  • Any issue with German routers like the UK ones?

    • +16

      Yes. Lower power.

      @Te2k cancel your order

      • +1

        How low? The ones at home are powered down by one notch to "good".

      • If the specs on this thing is the same as what the au one is, what is it that gets compromised? Is it the coverage range only or anything else?

        • If the specs on this thing is the same as what the au one is

          They aren't the same.

        • +5

          They are talking about maximum transmit power allowed by country. Will try to provide more info in a table. Generally, EU regulation is tougher. Thing is, while AU is much better (in terms of max power for certain band(s), it is still not the best).

          • @netsurfer: UK is about half as AU… just Googled. Assuming itn will transmit into effective range in practice.

      • @justtoreply Thank you for the advice however after reading the information from @donfandango below, I am willing to take the risk and go the Asuswrt-Merlin route. Will test and report back :)

        • Make sure you understand that github page completely. Ideally, you would hope the one that enables all countries will work.

          • +3

            @netsurfer: @netsurfer: Merlin does not allow you to change to regional settings that are not in the original firmware, power levels and channels are locked at assembly. I have one of these from AU stock, would love another at this price, but not going to risk the missing channels.

            • +1

              @Bludger: That's Merlin's official position (and you can understand why, since Merlin's firmware is based on Asus firmware). However, donfandango reported some success in changing the region. Merlin won't help people break that restriction.

        • +2

          Merlin firmware doesn't unlock the channels and Tx power. It's the SSH commands that do however as far as I know it doesn't survive a router reboot.

          • +2

            @Twix: The commands used alters the nvram. Technically, it should be possible. T-Mobile (AC-1900) can be flashed to become RT-AC68U and support AiMesh. It's a painful and annoying process though.

          • +3

            @Twix: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/15233189/redir

            The instructions linked here show you how to save the changes into init / startup files so that they do survive reboots.

            • +1

              @bonezAU: Ok so it seems they have found a way around it. I still wouldn't recommend it unless you know what you're doing. If you stuff it up you could end up with a bricked router.

              • +4

                @Twix: It is risky for people who are not familiar with merlin firmware and/or linux. However, from a brief look, my Asus router (which is running merlin firmware) appears to have a very conservative wireless LAN max power setting (basically the max transmit power is set to EU max value, despite the region is NOT in EU).

                I have now checked with my spare Asus router (running Asus firmware) with zero firmware update done yet. That router is 100% AU stock (purchased from a legit AU retailer with AU power supply). It has the same max wireless transmit power rating as my main router running merlin. The setting is basically the same as max allowed for EU. There are probably more channels allowed than EU. In short, Asus router for AU region doesn't really push to the max Tx power AU specs allowed (far from it actually).

                It is possible Asus actually lowers the Tx power for EU model. I don't have an EU router to test.

  • +3

    It's also missing channels to comply with EU regs.

    • +1

      EU sticks their big noses into literally everything.

      • +12

        Don't be anti-big nose people.

        The EU tries to fight for their populace,
        eg. standard phone charging port, right to repair, GDPR, Google / Microsoft anti-trust, etc.

        • The EU tries to fight for their populace,

          The EU fights for relevance. Inventing problem after problem to justify their existence to their populace.

          standard phone charging port

          Locking the EU and consequently the world into a single standard is short sighted. Sure, USB C is the best option now. But they’ve stifled innovation for future options. Apple were dragging their feet, but eventually the market would have forced them to move on from Lightning Cables. Would have Apple invented something better than USB C? We’ll never know now.

          • @PainToad: When we look at the specs on the Web (and if you want, the linux kernel setting config for WiFi), you do feel the EU specs are too strict. However, as I have just checked, Asus AU routers appear to set the Tx power to 100(mW) anyway. So, if you really want to boost that (since our specs allow higher Tx power), you still have to do some hacking.

            Higher transmit power isn't exactly good for our health. Also, doubling that power doesn't mean double the coverage. For example, when you double the Tx power to 200, the dBM only increases by 3 (from 20 to 23).

          • @PainToad: On Apple lightning cable. It is known Apple prolonged it (wanted to keep it for as long as possible) because of the licensing fee they can charge from cable makers (that amount is substantial).

            Apple knows USB-C really well (unfortunately too well). The forced move to USB-C made Apple released USB-C to USB-C cables without e-marker chip. Clearly, it is a business decision. Such move from Apple is really annoying. As I have a Macbook Pro, I will have to decide when I eventually upgrade my iPhone or my family members' iPhones to USB-C ones, do I opt for Apple cheaper cables and avoid using them on my Macbook Pro or still get ones with e-marker chip.

      • +1

        I'm not necessarily against what they're doing. Truth is we're not informed on the matter.

        But if it wasn't going to cover my house adequately (big house, so this is a risk) I wouldn't buy it.

        • It's not ideal for people who are not tech savvy or there is no tech savvy person in the household. Just to repeat my comment above, after a check on an Asus router purchased locally. In terms of transmit power, Asus sets AU routers' max WiFi router to the max allowed by EU. However, I don't rule out Asus actually lower EU routers transmit power so AU routers still have higher Tx power.

          The setting for Asus AU router I have is 100 and I reckon that's 100mW.

  • +15

    I own this exact router from Amazon Germany.

    In its default state you will have missing channels and lower transmit power (due to EU regulations which are much stricter than AU).

    It is possible to flash the router to Asuswrt-Merlin and if you are familiar with some SSH and config you can get the router to unlock all the channels and return transmit power back to normal levels. I would recommend following the thread here: https://gist.github.com/francoism90/3dede7973354d067c41bff5e…

    I have confirmed this doing range testing (with Wifiman on different phones) with the stock firmware and modded firmware.

    It's a good price for a nice piece of kit if you get it working.

    • +1

      Did it come with the adapter with multiple plug types and has the AU plug type? Or, it is one of where it is fixed adapter type for EU?

      • +1

        Mine only came with the EU plug. Had to use an adapter for it to fit AU sockets.

      • Asking all the right questions 👍

    • Thank you for the info. Is the flash permanent or temporary, and reset about reboot?

      • +1

        In newer models you lose the settings on a reboot. You can get further details in the whirlpool Asus networking thread.

        • Hmmm… might be time to cancel that order.

          • +1

            @sp1rit99: I have, as it is not worth wasting my times in going through this procedure with every reboot.

      • +4

        From what I understand, the point is to override some of the memory values that are set at boot. If you simply set them, they will disappear on reboot.

        However, if you use the script it will automatically run each reboot. As such, I've rebooted the router on a daily basis and the settings have persisted.

      • +3

        To make the changes persistent, make sure to add them to the jffs/scripts/wl script.

  • -1

    better off with a xiaomi wifi 7 router off AE

    • +1

      Only if you really know WiFi 7 well. The cheap one is not really a true WiFi 7 router, in fact it only supports 2.4 and 5GHz. It's just like WiFi 6 where router makers can call a router WiFi 6 router if it implements some of the features.

      P.S. I didn't neg your comment. I don't neg comments.

      • +2

        just going off my personal experience, it outperformed my ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 on my wifi 7 equipped pc

        • +2

          On 5Ghz band? Could you please provide some result? A mate has WiFi 7 enabled PC as well. I technically have a WiFi 7 card, but haven't installed it into my Intel PC.

          • +2

            @netsurfer: tested both routers on the 5.8ghz band i believe, the xiaomi for some reason got better speeds on local file transfers and on my gigabit nbn connection, often exceeding what my connection should be able to offer on wifi

            • @bart2: Do you have the performance result of local file transfer? Obviously, 2.5Gbps port has to connected to the PC sending file otherwise the test result would be wrong. AX-6000 tops out at around 1554.88 Mbps for WiFi (AX-6000 beats AX11000 in WiFi 6 top speed).

              I am keen to know what you can get with WiFi 7 2x2. I can only afford 2.5Gbps LAN setup, but my mate is 10Gbps LAN ready (he planned ahead) so he is properly WiFi 7 ready. I reckon 2.5Gbps LAN just isn't enough for WiFi 7.

              • @netsurfer: I bought the xiaomi one too. So far 2.5G LAN + Wifi 7 (on my mobile) seemed to go close to 2-2.4 Gbits/s under close to ideal conditions (not that far from the router and no other devices connected to WiFi) as I remeber.

                Later on I'm planning to use 2x 2.5G LAN aggregation to get the full WiFi 7 speeds - it's probably overkill but there's some comfort in knowing that the LAN isn't bottlenecking the WiFi.

                • @Schrodinger: Which one? There are multiple Xiaomi WiFi 7 routers. Xiaomi Router 10000?

                  Also, do you have any good info on link aggregation under Windows 11? A friend did it but despite Windows 11 says it is doing teaming, he found zero performance improvement (he has a 10Gbps switch).

                  • @netsurfer: It's the Xiaomi router 7000. With 10000, I'd have gotten the option of using the SFP+ port for 10G LAN (probably via a DAC cable).

                    As for static LAG (or LACP), I don't think you can use a dumb switch. In my case I'll be connecting the two links directly to the PC. If you need a switch, you need a managed switch with LAG support (which will probably be one that supports VLAN and some Web interface to control it too). I saw some on AliExpress with SFP+ and Eth ports for about 60 bucks.

  • Very happy with mine. The router now allow vlan. Which make seperation of network easy.

  • Is this a significant upgrade to DSL AX-82U?

    I have two Optus DSL-AX82U Meshed and the price seems to be very attractive.

    • +2

      No.

    • +1

      Not significant, combined wireless goes from ax5400 to ax6000. You do gain two 2.5ghz LAN ports and more ram/faster CPU. All the rest, aimesh and all the fancy stuff stays the same.

  • +1

    I’m guessing no au plug?

    • Correct.

  • So with low power restriction means less range and missing channels mean lower max speed achieved, right?

  • +1

    I just got Xiaomi 10000 :(. this is a good deal and can be flashed with Merlin firmware. take note this is the best dual band router in the market.

    • +1

      Is it as stable as Asus router?

      • It's been a week now so far its good.
        It has a commercial grade chip. Only downside of it would be wifi 7 being not implemented yet on the router and perhaps the software as it is chinese. However set up is a breeze on the app.

        • What do you mean by "commercial grade chip"

          • @utsc: It is still consumer grade WiFi chip from Qualcomm. It is the latest chip, that's all. There is growing pain as with every first gen router:

            https://xiaomi.eu/community/threads/mi-router-10000-bug.7147…

            The firmware needs time to iron out. Also, there is a need to run 10Gbps LAN if you go WiFi 7 to maximise the benefit (and that's why mainstream WiFi 7 routers provide 10Gbps LAN support). Basically, you need 10Gbps LAN to pump enough data to test WiFi 7 properly. In short, it is really for people with RTX 4090 or at least RTX 4080 type of budget.

  • Good price, a few weeks ago I would have jumped on it but since have bought a Flint 2 AX6000 - similar specs to this and come with a version of openwrt(like asus merlin firmware).
    As a long term Asus router owner, the flint 2 has been a good experience - better wifi stability with the VR etc
    https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CP7S3117

    • There is a difference. With OpenWRT, the router maker needs to ensure the proprietary hardware chipset network acceleration code is put in (because OpenWRT doesn't have access to hardware vendor specific / closed source code). Merlin firmware is based on Asus firmware so it retains that code.

  • How is this compared to AX88U ?

    • This one is better ;) unless its a AX88U pro.

    • +1

      AX88U has 8 gigabit LAN ports + 1 gigabit WAN port.
      GT-AX6000 has 4 gigabit LAN ports, 1 x 2.5 gigabit LAN port and 1 x 2.5 gigabit WAN port

      At 5Ghz:

      • If your devices are WiFi 6: GT-AX6000 is one of the top performing WiFi 6 router for 5GHz band
      • If your devices are mostly WiFi 5/AC, then AX-88U is one of the top performing router

      At 2.4GHz:

      • GT-AX6000 is a top performing WiFi 6 router (factoring overall performance). At short distance, there are a couple of routers which beat it. Also, at 2.4GHz, the max speed you can get pales in comparison to 5GHz.

      If you do not have gigabit NBN and you have quite a few WiFi 5/AC devices, then AX88U is well suited (2.5 Gbps LAN, honestly, to use it properly, a 2.5 Gbps switch is required, 1 x 2.5Gpbs LAN port doesn't cut it). AX88U was released quite early so it had an older WiFi 6 wireless chipset. GT-AX6000 is a bit weird because it only supports dual bands. Other ROG routers are tri-band routers.

      • +1

        Other ROG routers are tri-band routers.

        I wish this GT-AX6000 was a tri-band one,
        because I'm tempted to get this, just for the price,
        and I don't mind waiting a month for it to arrive.

        Currently, I have the ROG GT-AX11000 and I'm not even a gamer.
        It's been awesome and running so smoothly,
        for the past 5+ years now, but it's about time that
        I need to start changing hardware because I swap out all IT stuff
        every 2-3 years anyway.
        and lower my "ROI" (

        • +1

          I'll gladly take your ROG GT-AX11000 so you can buy an even better router.

  • I have got the eu version. Best router ever, very stable. Dont care about missing channel. It just works fine.

  • EU spec. Avoid.

  • I was just about to pull the trigger on this,
    and checked the listing .
    but deal is gone now. Argh!

  • This is available though (via Amazon UK)

    ASUS TUF Gaming AX6000 — AU$ 335.44

  • The link says - product unavailable

    • Yes, it finished at 00:00 AEST (Monday 6/5).

      I was looking at it at 23:59,
      and then about to buy it, and it's gone.

    • It's available now, but at higher price now…

      ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX6000 via Amazon DE | AU$ 341.22
      - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09MG9MDB5

  • +1

    Decided to grab this last night, to replace my RT-AX56U which is now EOL (although Merlin is still releasing firmware for it for the time being). I'll try chucking Merlin on this and see how I go with the wifi. If there are any issues, I'll look at putting in the fix donfandango mentioned earlier in this thread. All of my main stuff is wired in though, so hopefully won't be too much of an issue. Will be nice to have an extra port as well.

    • Can you please show me where it says Merlin still supporting AX56U? It says version 3004.388.7 no longer supported on Merlin site.

      • +2

        https://sourceforge.net/projects/asuswrt-merlin/files/RT-AX5…

        Last update was 26/4. Ive got this version running on my 56U, no issues.

      • +1

        https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/changelog

        NOTE: RT-AX56U is exceptionally included in this release.

        However, Asus 3006 firmware has appeared. Majority of currently supported devices still haven't got that yet. It depends on whether the other routers which use 3004 will move to 3006. Merlin will probably still do bug fixes for 3004 for quite some time. It is very unlikely Asus will release 3006 firmware for RT-AX56U.

        On the other hand, if there is no more 3004 development from Asus, technically, Merlin could still support AX56U since the source code of the latest version of 3004 is available.

        • Yeah its why I'd prefer to upgrade to something else. But could potentially still use the 56U in AIMesh.

  • If Wi-fi strength isn't a concern for me, would these EU variants of 'higher' end routers be a better option than waiting for local supply to go on sale ?

    • +1

      Wifi strength is always a concern. As strength reduces, so does wifi performance.

      • I don't need strong wifi signal, I just need a decent router that can handle multiple LAN devices connected to it.

        I currently have a Telstra Gen 2, and it's ok for the most part, but the 5ghz band doesn't work anymore

        • Bascially anything will work better than ones from the ISP.

        • The ASUS wifi routers are great.

          Go for the AX series, as it uses the latest 802.1ax speeds,
          and if you're daring enough,
          you can flash it with the Merlin-WRT firmware too
          (check model list for compatibility).

  • +1

    Just thought I'd put an update here. Received this router last week. Flashed it with the latest Merlin, factory reset it and set up with same settings from my old router. Tested wifi range and speed and it was pretty similar to my older router (AX56U). Decided to try the script donfandango listed in the comments above. This unlocked the remaining channels on the router and also improved the range a bit as well (Tx power went from 12.5 to 28 according to the settings). Overall I'm very happy with the router so far. If you can work out how to flash Merlin and set up the scripts to unlock everything (I used Putty and WinSCP), it's easily worth getting at this price.

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