TP-Link Archer C5 router review
TP-Link introduced the Archer C5 router in 2014. It is powered by Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz chipset, 128 MB of RAM, and 16 MB of flash memory.
Curious if this TP-Link router is a real gem? You'll find out by the end of our article!
Table of Contents
- TP-Link Archer C5 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 TP-Link Archer C5, please let us know.
The Archer C5 supports dual-band Wi-Fi, offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. TP-Link is known for being a respected and well-known maker of networking equipment.
TP-Link Archer C5 specifications
| Brand | TP-Link |
|---|---|
| Name | Archer C5 |
| Type | C5 |
| Rating | |
| Launch | 2014 |
Body
| Dimensions | 243 x 160.6 x 32.5 mm |
|---|
If you plan to move a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. Otherwise, the size isn't too crucial.
System
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz |
|---|---|
| RAM | 128 MB |
| Flash | 16 MB |
| OS | TP-Link |
| Alternative OS | OpenWRT |
| Power supply | 12 V / 2.5 A |
The Qualcomm Atheros QCA9558 @ 720 MHz CPU provides processing power. Some router features and software work best when they have enough RAM to help them. OpenWrt offers many customization options. They let users change and tailor their router's functions to their needs.
Network
| Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
|---|---|
| LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
| Mobile network | no |
| VPN support | no |
The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. If you have a 1 Gbps or faster internet plan, you need gigabit Ethernet ports. The Archer C5 ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully.
Wireless
| Antennas | 2 x 5 dBi RP-SMA |
|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | yes |
| 5 GHz | yes |
| 60 GHz | no |
| Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Class | AC1200 |
| Speed | 300 + 867 Mbps |
| Transmit power | 23 dBm |
| Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
| Guest network | yes |
The router supports the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. 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. The Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) lets you join a safe wireless network with the push of a button or a simple PIN entry.
Connectivity
| USB ports | 2 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). By connecting a USB printer to the Archer C5 router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network.
Administration
| Default IP | 192.168.0.1 |
|---|---|
| Default username | admin |
| Default password | admin |
If you can't log in to your TP-Link router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your Archer C5 router. Do this after the initial setup.
Links
| Official site | https://www.tp-link.com/ |
|---|
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this TP-Link 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
- sufficient memory
- OpenWrt compatible
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- works on 5 GHz band
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- insufficient flash
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
TP-Link Archer C5 photos
TP-Link Archer C5 comparisons
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Updated: May 25, 2024
