The present and potential future needs will both include WiFi, so why not start by getting an all-in-one WiFi AP that also handles the present 200 Mbps ISP service routing needs?
Reliable OpenWrt WiFi pretty much rules out the WRT32x/3200/1900, etc., doesn't it? They make nice OpenWrt gateway routers, but their WiFi reliability is reported to be a bit questionable with OpenWrt.
An RT3200, used R7800 or just about any other used ipq806x device will handle everything today with a single low power device. Including VPN in the mix, I would pay a bit more for a new MT7622 based RT3200 (mediatek/mt7622: enable accelerated crypto drivers). If long range WiFi were a higher priority than VPN, I might look harder at used ipq806x options.
Options generally improve with time, so why rush into the 1 Gbps gateway router today?
If in the future an all-in-one AP like the RT3200 or R7800 is outgrown due to getting 1 Gbps ISP service, only then would I be looking at demoting it to AP only duty plugged into a new 1 Gbps capable gateway router. When that time comes, I do agree an ARM based SBC is the way to go over x86.
Linksys WRT3200ACM sucks at WiFi. It's just a fast router but wifi performance is terrible, small range and not stable. I would definitely never buy this device again. It caused a lot of headache.
and therein lies the problem. @NotAnExpert_yet says the wifi on the WRT3200ACM is bad. It's entirely possible he had a unit with bad wifi. Or maybe it's generally bad and you lucked into a unit that was at the good end of the spectrum.
Hence the reason i started this thread. i want to know what WORKS, not what's cheapest.
The routing is easier to get right (although you can have flaky digital hardware) but wifi is tough because it's harder to test and very much subject to the operating environment.
Hence the endorsements of RT3200 and ipq806x targets for all in one or future WiFi AP use with something like a NanoPi R4S if you later upgrade to Gigabit. It is merely a happy coincidence that ipq806x targets are inexpensive on the used market.
If the mini PC x86 option intrigues you, that will of course work too. ARM devices are generally lower power for an always on device is all. ARM works pretty well for speedy high end long battery life Apple silicon laptops these days too.
I have purchased and installed 3 WRT3200ACM in home locations and running openvpn client and no ads application on router. Wifi coverage has been exceptional and throughput excellent even with vpn client.
In my country ipq806x targets especially Netgear 7800 is the same price as RT3200 in the UK, from where I can import.
Which one should I choose?
Does RT3200 provide better speed compared to Netgear 7800?
If faster short to mid range WiFi (especially for WiFi6 clients), faster routing (e.g., to support future upgrade to half Gig ISP service) and faster OpenVPN are more important to you, then I would go with the RT3200, due to it having a better MT7622 CPU.
If faster long range WiFi is more important to you than above, I would lean toward the R7800.
I need faster Lan to Wifi Performance, want to run Plex on Laptop from Synology NAS / router attached SSD/HDD at a short-range like one wall and some 15feets.
Gigabit ISPs are still years away in this part of the world.
How about APU4 from PC ENGINES? i am using previous models and all i have to say is that it rocks. It is x86 64 bit architecture with 2, 3 or 4 ethernet ports, depending on the version.
At this point I'd look for faster, more modern hardware than the APU with its rather dated jaguar cores. Yes, these boards are rather unique, but they just barely manage to route 1 GBit/s on linux - and sqm would need a lot more steam than that (however if your WAN speed is lower and you can find a bargain for a used device, these might still be convincing, but not for full price).
i'm going to start with the R7800 and see how that does.
But the Netgear Nighthawk R7800 isn't available new. I don't mind buying refurbished (I just returned a brand-new ASUS RT-AC68U because no WiFi with OpenWRT ) but then I have to worry about dealing with a scammy Amazon/eBay seller. I wish manufacturers would offer refurbished product themselves.
There's one new Linksys WRT3200ACM in stock near me, but people in this thread criticize its WiFi performance.
MU-MIMO seems worthwhile and multiple antennae give me something to fiddle (I'm in two-storey house with metal beams, so WiFi isn't great). The TP-Link AC1200 (Archer A6 V3) has MU-MIMO for only $40, but no USB port. I occasionally use a network drive and it sounds like OpenWRT has a decent Samba/CIFS module instead of buying yet another cheap box to configure and manage.
➜ Is there a supported new-ish WiFi router as good as the Archer A6 with a USB port? In my research:
none of the current TP-Link "AX" series WiFi routers are supported by OpenWRT
none of the Netgear "AX" series WiFi routers are supported by OpenWRT
the Linksys MR8300 (Qualcomm IPQ4019) is supported, has USB, MU-MIMO, antennae to fiddle with. Supports Mesh which I don't need. But not available new; $200 refurbished.
anything else?
Many thanks in advance.
I think it would help to filter out old hardware if the OpenWRT hardware table had columns like "Available new?", "Date introduced", and "Replaced by model"/"Replaces model".
Don't know where you are, but I've bought a lot of used hw on ebay, and never been scammed.
Along with the three routers I currently use as APs.
TP-Link have an official store, at least on US eBay, and are selling refurb there. They used to have Archer C2600s for sale, but probably not anymore.
Netgears WAX206 should be supportable, since it's running the same MT chipset as the other currently supported AX devices.
It's sold as an AP, but there's a router mode, and it got a 2.5gbit uplink/WAN port.
FWIW, I've been running used ebay all-in-one boxes for years with never a problem. I wouldn't let "used" be a barrier. Sure, there is some risk you get a bad unit, but in many cases:
"used" just means it is past its infant mortality stage
if you accidentally brick it flashing OpenWrt, what would you rather do that to? A new expensive unit, or a used bargain
the sellers may accept returns,
original power supplies are lost or can fail; replacements are inexpensive and usually a higher class (more efficient) transformer. If it does not come with the OEM power supply, make sure to ask the seller for a picture showing the labeling to get the wattage it supplies (check it's the same or higher than the OEM) and ask how long the plug cable is.
The Linksys web site sells the MR8300 direct for $200, apparently new. Does anyone have feedback before I pull the trigger? Thanks everyone for your comments .