Routers that might be around $50 that are decent for OpenWRT (I have an AP)

[xCyOfficial]

well thats strange the unloaded went up to 11 directly connected to the r5c but whatever
No SQM Directly to R5C with Ethernet

sqm is not on the cudy since I put it into ap mode unless it is but idk it shouldnt be but even without it i get 0ms so this is perfect

So anyways I guess the R5C Nanopi is the best router around $50 USD for $66 on amazon with a 5% discount. I also want to test another AP and I still later on will test the GL.iNet Marble when I get it but this is the best option and I don' t need sqm cause my modem is perfect also I ordered the LN1301 so ima test that wifi 6 triband router for $20

[xCyOfficial]

wild how this started 15 days ago but anyways I solved my problem. I will still test more stuff because I kinda sorta wanna for fun but also to provide other options that might be relatively good ig idk or should I stop

basically I sold my TP-Link AX3200 Wi-Fi 6 Tri-Band router (also regardless of triband it only got up to 1201mbps link speed and the cudy goes up to 2402 so and its cheaper) and got a Cudy WR3000 and a Nanopi R5C and have the cudy router in dumb ap mode and I am using the R5C to be the gateway router and it works well with my modem so theres no need for sqm

[xCyOfficial]

@xCyOfficial

whoops I was on my phone with the forum and was unable to send the pic thru there lol mb for the wait

this was directly to the modem with the router mode turned off and so the R5C gets basically the same thing without sqm so now I can connect a NAS and also customize the dns and have freedom over my router without ATT peeping into my stuff on their gateway

[xCyOfficial]

@eginnc

As has already been pointed out, your ISP service straight out of the modem is great and doesn't need SQM. If you still want to add a capable gateway modem, the NanoPi R5C with 2GB of memory for ~$70 shipped on amazon could be a good and easy option.

The R5C has CPU capability (quad ARM A55 efficiency cores at 2 GHz) equivalent to the much loved GL-MT6000 Flint 2, two 2.5 Gbps ports and plenty of memory and flash for whatever.

I recently tested my R5C and it seemed to top out around 450 Mbps with CAKE/layer_cake with my 570/23 ISP service. Different scripts or fq_codel may improve on that, but that works for me. If you need more CPU for faster SQM (which you currently do not need at all of course), the NanoPi R4S with a couple A72 performance cores on it would be a better option, but it does cost a little more.

A dual core Cudy WR3000 or the like running efficiency cores at only 1.3 GHz is going to be quite a bit slower. For slower ISP service or as a dumb AP, sure, but I would not be looking at one of those as an all-in-one gateway router for half Gig plus ISP service.

Unfortunately you've already acquired a collection of less than ideal hardware for OpenWrt. It happens. Most of us that tinker around with it have cast off hardware stored in our closets. Rather than remain attached to it, it might be better to rip off the band aid and start over.

You could try selling off your TP-Link all-in-one on ebay and picking up a GL-MT6000 Flint 2 instead if you want an all-in-one with a capable CPU that runs OpenWrt. That and your modem is all you would need in that case. Just a thought.

Best advice and I honestly like the freedom to upgrade the AP whenever needed since the R5C will handle the routing instead of an all in one

[eginnc]

Glad it worked out for you! The R5C I am of course familiar with, but based on your testing that Cudy WR3000 is a surprisingly good performer at any price. I would not have guessed the Cudy would handle as much SQM throughput as it does.

[xCyOfficial]

SQM over Wi-Fi with the R5C
Also I got docker on the R5C and I have a little minecraft server running and with sqm also enabled and this thing is giving me no latency its so awesome. Best purchase honestly. (fq_codel/simplest_tbf.qos I had no issues with cake but I saw a slight reduction in throughput with it so I tried this and I bet I could get more with a little more testing but I don't really need it. This never jumps or stutters past 15 on max latency for either DL/UL)

Also temps are great, I was considering getting a little cooling fan for it but it doesn't really need it

[LilRedDog]

@xCyOfficial

I just want sqm so that I can get the lowest latency possible

@eginnc

As has already been pointed out, your ISP service straight out of the modem is great and doesn't need SQM.

Set your QoS setting based on promised speed and not tested speed.

ISPs know when you test and inflate results in their favor.

[qunvureze]

Yup. Consider testing using less popular methods like iPerf or even Flent for some interesting graphs.

[stangri]

Revision 3 Sophos XG-1{1,2,3}5 devices, especially with the w suffix (kudos to @NC1 who made me aware of them) or better yet VMware Edge 620 (kudos to @frollic who made me aware of those). Both can be had on ebay for not that much more than $50, but they would offer RAM and storage (SSD or eMMC) much surpassing most other options, along with a decent 64-bit Intel Atom CPUs.

[xCyOfficial]

This has helped with getting +0ms consistently
Before it would fluctuate from +0ms - +7ms since I set it around 610mbps which 620mbps is usually my average tested speeds. I also tested my speeds with an app instead of an online test and I did notice Speedtest.net jumps up from 500mbps to 620mbps mid test whereas on my app it shows up as a consistent 508mbps great advice