Product Showcase

Product Showcase

So let us have a closer look at the product, packaging first of course. As stated, this is a stand-alone review, however, we'll test the AIMesh setup as well, ergo we have two GT-AC5300 routers to show you. 

So the ROG (ASUS) GT-AC5300 comes in quite a humongous package. Next, to the router, you'll see a CAT6 Gigabit Ethernet cable, power adapter, a manual, Instruction CD and no less than eight antennas.

Everything is packaged rather nicely there, hardly any chance of damage during transport and unboxing it is quite an experience all by itself. Interesting enough the router cannot be wall mounted, so there are no brackets or plugs to attach the router to the wall. 

Above you can see an overview of the hardware included. And yeah, that's a nostalgic ROG design alright. The router has been equipped with powerful hardware (for a router) such as a quad-core 1.8 GHz processor, 256 MB flash memory and USB 3.0 ports. The GT-AC5300 comes with 1024MB of DRAM memory. This much is needed among others for IPv6 - the IPv6 stack is likely loaded completely into memory. It's a small computer slash server on its own really. The GT AC5300 is Wi-Fi Certified for 802.11a,b,g,n and ac with a combo of dual-and tri-band as well. 

Unlike other 802.11ac routers the new unit is equipped with eight adjustable and removable antennas. The separate antennas are located on the outside of router, above a picture with the antennas in complete harmony.  

Crab, lobster, spaceships, whatever comes to mind! Love it or hate, the design I mean, but you are looking at one of the most powerful consumer routers on the planet anno 2018. Not only the hardware though, the software features are extensive as well. You can direct the antennas in any angle, to squeeze that last bit of performance in an upper floor corner. 

Dead in the center at the top, a mesh for venting, in the middle the ROG logo with a ROG pattern around it. And yes, I am waiting and even a little surprised here, no RGB LEDs ASUS? :-)