Virgin Media Community

[Husk24]

Hi all

just upgraded, what max wifi speed can I get with ASUS router RT-AC88U with virgin 1gig internet on modem mode ?

I seem to be getting 545 max download, I don’t know much about routers but the router specs state 3167? it is not a wifi 6 router.

thanks

[Andrew-G]

Should be seeing around 550-650 over wifi, and around 940 to a device on a wired connection.  The theoretical wifi speeds laid down in standards mean nothing, but that 550-650 Mbps is about the top end of what you'd expect in the real world, using a decent client device.  Put walls in the way, competing wifi signals, noise from other electrical devices and speeds will rapidly drop off, as well as dropping off rapid with distance.

[Husk24]

Would it improve if I invested in a wifi 6 router.?

[carl_pearce]

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@Husk24 wrote:
Would it improve if I invested in a wifi 6 router.?

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Do you have WiFi 6 devices?

The 3167Mbps value in your router's specs is based on adding the throughput of the 2.4Ghz (1000Mbps) and 5Ghz (2167Mbps) bands combined.

So if you have a device connected to the 5Ghz band you have upto 2167Mbps, however the device itself must be capable of 4x4 MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output):

https://www.duckware.com/tech/wifi-in-the-us.html

Most devices are 2x2 MIMO.

THEN you have to consider the external factors:

• Distance from the Router.
• Interference from objects.
• Interference from other wireless networks.

[Andrew-G]

Would it improve if I invested in a wifi 6 router.?

Well, your wired speed will still be limited to 940.  You might up the speed to a Wifi 6 device to around 850 Mbps in optimal conditions, but whether it's worth paying the extra for Wifi 6 to get another 200 Mbps on top of 650 (like for like optimal conditions) only you can say.  

[Husk24]

I’ve restarted the modem and my router. On 500 meg I was getting 545 speed on 5ghz on my iPhone every single time but since yesterday after upgrading to 1gig and restarted it I have been getting consistent 380-400 speed! Thought I had upgraded not downgraded!! 

[legacy1]

its a egress curve and buffer thing for the wifi how fast thing are going till you get to the rate limit so being 1Gb is faster as you download you ask for more and the faster the packets come which going to a buffer for the wifi and the wifi being slow to send it reliably starts to drop packets so you slow and speed up and down. So why was you getting more speed on 500Mb? because the rate limit and egress curve was slowing it to the buffer for wifi and so the drop packets to slow and speed up and down is not as bad.

sure someone could write a paper on this.

So downgrade your speed to M500 see what happens

[SonarUK]

Still receiving updates from asus - Version 3.0.0.4.386.46065 - 2022/01/25
https://www.asus.com/us/Networking-IoT-Servers/WiFi-Routers/ASUS-WiFi-Routers/RT-AC88U/HelpDesk_BIOS...

Is still supported by Asus-Merlin
https://www.asuswrt-merlin.net/download
https://sourceforge.net/projects/asuswrt-merlin/files/RT-AC88U/

Wifi Settings tweak (scroll to the last post)
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/ac88u-wifi-performance-issues.75198/

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The Upgraded AX version ASUS RT-AX88U (if you see it go on offer grab it) if money isn't a problem and you like running on the latest tech here the link.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-RT-AX88U-Wireless-AX6000-AiMesh-Gigabit-AiProtection/dp/B07JHFWZKN/

[Husk24]

Thanks il have a look, I’ve done a speed test few times this morning 6-7am on 5ghz on my iPhone 13 pro max and hitting 80 max download and 50 max upload. A complete joke! I got more with a 100 meg than 1 gig. Definitely not right. Il be contacting Virgin for sure.

[Adduxi]

Check you don't have any QoS turned on ?

Also post the power levels, configuration and network log tabs from the Hub.  Setup a BQM here www.thinkbroadband.com/ping 

Once done we can comment.