A high performance router is essential in every business with intensive internet demands. Finding one however, can get quite difficult especially if you do not know your way around router specifications, features. Both ASUS and Linksys carry a large selection of highly effective routers.

Specifically, the ASUS RT AC3200 and the LINKSYS WRT3200ACM are good options which promise great performance on enterprise networks. While they may have some similarities, these routers are wildly different in build and performance. Read on for more insight.

What are the differences between ASUS RT AC3200 and LINKSYS WRT3200ACM?

Asus RT AC3200 vs Linksys WRT3200ACM- What are the differences?

Design and build

Just by looking at them, you can tell that the ASUS RT AC3200 and LINKSYS WRT3200ACM are very different devices. The Asus RT AC3200 is a 11.42 x 7.40 x 2.28 in that comes in an all black design and 6 arachnid like antenna arms attached. Alternatively, Linksys’s WRT3200ACM comes is a blue and black hue with only 4 removable adjustable antennas attached. Since it measures 9.69 x 2.05 x 7.64 in, it is smaller in size compared to the WRT3200ACM. This allows for easy placement around your space. However, the difference in antennas gives the RT AC3200 the upper hand. With these this model will achieve greater coverage compared to the Asus RT AC3200 and its 4 antennas.

The Asus RT AC3200 has a better and more functional build compared to the WRT3200. While slightly larger in size, it offers 2 more antennas for improved coverage and comes in a uniform all black design that is easier to integrate into home/office décor.

Hardware

One of the major distinguishing factors between the ASUS RT AC3200 and the LINKSYS WRT3200ACM has to be their hardware specifications. The RT AC3200 comes with 1GHz processor with 256MB RAM and 128MB Flash memory. These are pretty standard and allow the router to run seamlessly. The LINKSYS WRT3200ACM on the other hand comes with a high-power processor and double the RAM and Flash available on the RTAC3200. With these, the WRT3200ACMexcecutes commands faster, and offers better memory performance.

The WRT3200ACM offers better RAM, 512MB with 256MB Flash which allow the router to operate more efficiently compared to the less equipped RTAC3200 model.

Connectivity ports

Both the RT AC3200 and WRT3200ACM from Linksys offer pretty much the same type and number of ports. Specifically, these routers feature 4 LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports, a single WAN Gigabit Ethernet pert and one of USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports each. However, the WRT3200ACM is equipped with a special ESATA port. While technically an older technology compared to USB, ESATA ports allow users to connect a high speed external hard disk on to the network easily.

In terms of connectivity ports, the WRT3200ACM by Linksys is the better option since it offers an additional ESATA port.

Speed

Ideally, both of these routers deliver the same speeds at 2.4GHz and 5GHz channels. However, this is not the case on real world performance. After various throughput speed tests, the RT-AC3200 delivered an average 86Mbps on the 2.4Ghz band, very close to some of the industry’s best 90Mbps when 5 feet away from the router. At 30 feet away, this model delivers speeds of 65.7Mbps. While on the 5GHz band, this router delivers 452Mbps on AC mode and 196Mbps on N mode in close proximity. When tested from 30 feet away, this router delivers 264Mbps over AC mode and 160               Mbps over N mode.

Alternatively, over the 2.4GHz band, the WRT3200ACM delivered 76Mbps in close proximity and 58.5Mbps when tested from 30 feet away. Over the 5GHz band, this router delivered throughput speeds of 569Mbps in close proximity and 238Mbps when tested from 30 feet away.

The WRT3200ACM offers better throughput over the 5GHz band compared to the RTAC3200 and speeds almost as good as the RT AC3200 while on the 2.4GHz band.

ASUS RT AC3200 vs LINKSYS WRT3200ACM

ASUS RT AC3200 Overview

"ASUS AC3200 Tri-Band Gigabit WiFi Router, AiProtection Lifetime Security by Trend Micro, Adaptive QoS, Parental Control (RT-AC3200)"

• Smart Connect automatically selects the fastest band for all devices individually, based on their demands...
• Built-in USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports for up to 10-times faster data transfers to USB storage devices1,...

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The RTAC3200 is a high performance tri-band router with a range of features for. It comes in an all black design and features not 4 but 6 removable adjustable antennas.  Basically, this tri-band router offers peak performance speeds of 600Mbps over the 2.4GHz band and 1300Mbps over both 5GHz bands. Overall, this device delivers great performance over high demand networks. The included beam forming capabilities ensure most if not all the users on your network will access the connection as necessary.

The Asus RT AC3200 is considered an intelligence device with smart features such as Smart connect for performance maximization on every wirelessly connected device.  These in addition to other management tools on the router make this device easy to manage and operate.

Feature like the media prioritizing tool, parental control among other features allow for easy use with seamless operation on your network. This 802.11AC compliant router delivers great speeds with low latency performance for high demand use and fast file sharing.  Setting up this router is quite easy considering all the management tools and features made available on the RT AC3200. In fact, the multimedia tools with a user friendly graphic interface help ease this process even further.

Pros

• Exceptional performance over 5GHz channel
• Good file transfer speeds
• Many integrated advanced features for great performance and easy use

Cons

• Expensive router

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Linskys WRT3200ACM Overview

Linksys WRT3200ACM: AC3200 Dual-Band Gigabit Wi-Fi Router, Beamforming Tri-Stream Wireless Signal, Ethernet Ports, MU-MIMO (Black, Blue)

• Fast wireless router provides Wi-Fi coverage for your home (works with existing modem)
• Open source firmware offers advanced customization; Certified operating systems: MacOS (10.X or higher),...

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The Linksys WRT3200ACM is an award winning router highly acknowledged as one of the industry’s best. This device is great for intensive home and even office use. With its enterprise class features, this router is well suited to deliver fast network performance even over multiple devices. Additionally, it  is powered using great hardware that improve on the efficiency on the model. This device operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands which together can sustain speeds of up to 3.2GHz.

Enabled with a 1.8GHz dual core processor, this router delivers top connection speeds with minimal latency issues. The exterior model is equipped with 4 removable external antennas that are also adjustable. With these, the WRT3200ACM router can accomplish great things on home or office networks. Since it is MU-MIMO enabled, this model allows for even faster performance on the networks, even for multiple devices or users.

A wide selection of connectivity ports available on this device ensure users can make wired and wireless connections quite easily.  Moreover, the Open Source firmware support allows easy customization on your router to serve your connection needs as needed.

Pros

• Developed using revolutionary hardware
• Good 5GHz throughput
• Well featured to deliver high performance on networks
• Exceptional file transfer rates

Cons

• Performance on 2.4 GHz band could be better

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Conclusion: So, which one is better: Linksys RT AC3200 or Linksys WRT3200acm?

Based on the performance and features on these models, the LINKSYS WRT3200ACM is clearly the winner. This device offers great throughput speeds, with better hardware inclusions. Overall, the WRT3200ACM model is better equipped to serve office networks compared to the ASUS RT AC3200.

FAQs 

How long do Linksys routers last?

Depending on the model and use, these routers can last anywhere from a year to 20 years.

What does ac3200 mean?

The AC on the SKU is used to indicate the networking standard supported on the device while the 3200 indicates the theoretical bandwidth the device can attain.

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