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
- Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5000 specifications
- Body, dimensions, weight
- System, chipset, RAM, flash, power supply
- Network, protocols, WAN and LAN ports
- Wireless, antennas, speed, security
- Connectivity
- Administration, user interface, login information
- Links
- Verdict, Pros and Cons
- Photos
- Comparisons
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. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5000, please let us know.
The Nighthawk X8 AC5000 is a versatile router that offers more than basic functionality. It provides a fast network for homes and offices. Netgear provides good customer support services through their website.
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 of a router can impact its cooling capabilities. Larger routers have more room for internal cooling. If you buy a router online or have it shipped, the weight may affect the total 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 work best when they have enough RAM to help them.
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 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. The Nighthawk X8 AC5000 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 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 |
The router supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The 5 GHz band offers better noise immunity and less interference. The AC Wi-Fi router is backward compatible with older Wi-Fi devices that support 802.11a/b/g/n standards. 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. 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.
Links
| Official site | https://www.netgear.com/ |
|---|
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. 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
Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5000 comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
