Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5000 router review
Netgear introduced the Nighthawk X8 AC5000 router in 2014. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4709C0 @ 1.4 GHz chipset, 512 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Interested to see if this Netgear router is a hit? Stick around until the end of our article!
Table of Contents
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5000, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The Nighthawk X8 AC5000 is a versatile router that offers more than basic functionality. It has advanced features and capabilities. It provides a reliable, fast network for homes and offices. You can connect supported USB devices to the router. Netgear routers are generally known for their user-friendly design and easy setup process.
Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5000 specifications
| Brand | Netgear |
|---|---|
| Name | Nighthawk X8 AC5000 |
| Type | R8300 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 316 x 264 x 61 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.68 kg |
The dimensions and design of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Routers with larger dimensions may have more space for internal cooling mechanisms. If you purchase a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the overall cost.
System
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM4709C0 @ 1.4 GHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 512 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Netgear |
| Power supply | 12 V / 3 A |
The Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5000 router has a Broadcom BCM4709C0 @ 1.4 GHz processor. Some router features and software need a certain amount of RAM. They need it to work well. More storage space comes from a larger flash memory. It can accommodate future firmware upgrades. Netgear often releases firmware updates. They improve the router's features, security, and bugs. They also add new features. The 12 V / 3 A PSU provides power to the router. If it breaks, you can replace it with a new one.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 6 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | OpenVPN |
The Nighthawk X8 AC5000 router has built-in security features. They protect your network and devices. The IPv4 is the fourth iteration of the Internet Protocol (IP). It is the most widely used version of IP on the internet today. The latest firmware supports IPv6. It provides a system to identify and locate computers on networks. If you have a 1 Gbps or faster internet plan, you need gigabit Ethernet ports. They are essential to use all the available bandwidth.
This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully. OpenVPN uses a certificate-based authentication system. This enhances security and provides a stronger method of identity verification.
Wireless
| Antennas | 4 x external 4 x internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC5000 |
| Speed | 600 + 2167 + 2167 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WPA WPA2 |
| Guest network | yes |
This router has 4 x external, 4 x internal antennas. Antennas are key parts of wireless routers. They send and receive radio signals to make wireless connections. The router supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The 5 GHz band offers better noise immunity and less interference. It also has more available channels. The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards.
Real-world Nighthawk X8 AC5000 router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. USB print servers let you connect a USB printer to your network. This makes it accessible to many devices. You can connect external storage devices such as USB flash drives or USB hard drives to your router.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | password |
If you can't log in to your Netgear router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your Nighthawk X8 AC5000 router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Netgear one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- generous memory
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- lightning-fast Wi-Fi connection
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- too weighty
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
- missing WPS support
Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5000 photos
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