Asus RT-AC52U router review
The Asus RT-AC52U (RT-AC52U) router released in 2014. It is powered by MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash. The AC750 router is compatible with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards, and the maximum speed that you can get with RT-AC52U is 300 + 433 Mbps. The router has 1 x 10/100 Mbps WAN and 4 x 10/100 Mbps LAN ports.
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 Asus RT-AC52U, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The RT-AC52U supports dual-band Wi-Fi, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The USB connectors on the router add versatility to your network. They enable file sharing, printer sharing, and other USB functions. Asus has received recognition and awards for their networking products.
Asus RT-AC52U specifications
| Brand | Asus |
|---|---|
| Name | RT-AC52U |
| Type | RT-AC52U |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 187 x 145 x 25 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 270 g |
If you have limited space, like in a small apartment or office, the dimensions can determine if it can fit there. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
| Chipset | MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 128 MB |
| OS | Asus |
| Power supply | 12 V / 1 A |
The MediaTek MT7620A @ 580 MHz CPU is key. It, along with factors like RAM and firmware, decides how well the router works. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 128 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. Upgrading router firmware has become simple and user-friendly. The Asus provides the right power supply. It is 12 V / 1 A, this matches the router's voltage needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100 Mbps |
| Mobile network | yes, with USB dongle |
| VPN support | PPTP L2TP OpenVPN |
Like many modern routers, the RT-AC52U supports many network standards too. Most networking equipment, like routers and switches, supports IPv4. The RT-AC52U router is also compatible with IPv6. IPv6 has a much bigger address space. It also offers many enhancements and improvements over IPv4. Wired connections may bottleneck due to the limits of Fast Ethernet ports. Connect the 3G/4G USB dongle to the RT-AC52U router. Then, you can share the internet connection. You can share it with many devices on your local network.
OpenVPN is a full-featured SSL VPN solution. It uses OSI layer 2 or 3. It extends secure networks using SSL/TLS, an industry standard. The PPTP is an older VPN protocol. It was widely used in the past.
Wireless
| Antennas | 3 x 3 dBi internal |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC750 |
| Speed | 300 + 433 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 20 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The 3 x 3 dBi, internal antennas allow sending and getting many data streams at once. This boosts overall throughput and improves Wi-Fi performance. This router is 2.4 GHz capable. The 2.4GHz band refers to the portion of the radio spectrum between 2.400 and 2.4835 gigahertz. This router operates on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. It lets you connect devices to the best band for their needs.
Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster. Real-world RT-AC52U router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. WEP was the first Wi-Fi security protocol. But it is now seen as weak and easy to hack. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Print server | yes |
| File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). A USB print server adds print functionality. You can manage settings, watch queues, and control access from one place. The RT-AC52U router lets you schedule backups. You can back up to the connected USB storage device.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
If you can't log in to your Asus router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your RT-AC52U router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Asus 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
- lightweight
- sufficient memory
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- 3/4G USB modem capable
- supports OpenVPN
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- lack of Gigabit LAN
- Non-gigabit WAN port
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Asus RT-AC52U photos
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