Specification and Test Methodology
Linksys WRT32X Gaming Router Specification |
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|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Technology | Dual-band AC3200 MU-MIMO w/ MU-MIMO, DFS |
| Key Features | 802.11a 802.11g 802.11n 802.11ac |
| Wi-Fi Speed | AC3200 (N600 + AC2600) |
| Wi-Fi Bands | 2.4 and 5 GHz (simultaneous dual-band) |
| Wi-Fi Range | Very Large Household |
| Number of Ethernet Ports | 1x Gigabit WAN port 4x Gigabit LAN ports |
| Other Ports | One(1) USB 3.0 port One(1) Combo eSATA/USB 2.0 port Power |
| Antennas | 4x external, dual-band, detachable antennas |
| Processor | 1.8 GHz dual-core |
| LEDs | Power, Internet, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, eSATA, USB1 (USB 2.0), USB2 (USB 3.0), LAN 1–4 (activity/10/100 Mbps), LAN 1–4 (1 Gbps), WPS |
| Wireless Encryption | WPA2 Personal |
| VPN Support | PPTP IPSec pass-through |
| Storage File System Support | FAT, NTFS, and HFS+ |
| Easy Setup | Browser-based Setup |
| Certified Operating Systems | MacOS (10.X or higher), Windows 7, Windows 8.1 (Works with Windows 10) |
| Minimum System Requirements | Internet Explorer 8 Safari 5 (for Mac) Firefox 8 Google Chrome |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 245.87 x 193.80 x 51.82 mm (9.68 x 7.63 x 2.04 in.) without antennas |
| Weight | 798.32 g (28.16 oz) |
| Security Features | WPA2 128 bit AES link encryption |
| Regulatory Compliance | FCC class B |
| Other Certifications | FCC DFS Certified |
| Additional Information | Open Source ready for OpenWrt |
| Power Supply | Input: 100-240V ~ 50-60Hz; Output: 12V, 3.0A |
Comparison Routers |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Model | HEXUS Review | Reviewed Price | Product Page |
| Linksys WRT32X Gaming Router | November 2017 | £300 | linksys.com |
| Synology Router RT1900ac | January 2016 | £120 | synology.com |
| Synology Router RT2600ac | January 2017 | £210 | synology.com |
| TP-Link Archer VR900 | October 2015 | £140 | tp-link.com |
| TP-Link Archer VR2600 | October 2016 | £200 | tp-link.com |
Test Methodology
Evaluating the wireless performance of a router can be something of a minefield. The sheer amount of surrounding wireless broadcasts is such that the test environment is always subject to change, and performance will fluctuate as a result. With this in mind, please be aware that our performance results may not mirror your own and the following benchmark numbers should be viewed as theoretical.
To provide examples of real-world performance, the routers are installed on the ground floor of a three-storey house built in 2006. Routers with a built-in modem are connected directly to a BT Infinity line, whereas standalone routers are first connected to an external DrayTek Vigor 130 VDSL modem. Wireless performance on non-Killer routers is tested from a ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptop outfitted with a TP-Link Archer T4U dual-band wireless adapter. Killer-enabled routers are tested from an Alienware 15 R3 laptop equipped with a Killer Wireless-AC 1435 adapter.
Wireless performance tests are conducted at multiple locations. Location A is defined as a first-floor room directly above the router, representing a distance of roughly 15ft and one separating floor. Location B is on the ground floor at a horizontal distance of roughly 45ft from the router, with multiple separating walls. Finally, Location C is on the top floor at a vertical distance of roughly 40ft, with two-floor separation.
In each location, we test wireless performance by copying 2GB of data to and fro a Synology NAS wired to the network via a TP-Link TL-SG1024 Gigabit switch. For comparison's sake, we also run the same file transfer using a wired connection to the laptop, and we also test transfer speed to a router-attached storage device - an SK hynix Canvas SC300 SSD installed in a basic USB 3.0 caddy.