ASUS ROG RAPTURE GT-BE98: FEATURES.

The majority of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers are equipped with tri-band Wi-Fi, which utilizes the 2.4GHz, 5.0GHz, and 6.0GHz frequency bands. However, the GT-BE98 goes a step further by incorporating an additional 5.0GHz band, resulting in quad-band Wi-Fi 7 that boasts an impressive maximum speed of 24.4Gbps.

This is further supported by advanced wired connectivity, as the GT-BE98 features 10Gb and 2.5Gb Ethernet ports. These ports can be utilized for high-speed broadband connections (WAN) or wired connections to a laptop or other devices (LAN).

In addition to the primary 10Gb LAN port, there is also a secondary one specifically designated as a ‘gaming port’. This port takes precedence over all other ports, guaranteeing optimal performance for your gaming setup. Furthermore, there are three extra 2.5Gb ports available for LAN connections, along with a single Gigabit Ethernet LAN port that handles less demanding tasks such as email and work. Additionally, two USB-A ports are provided for connecting external storage devices, such as hard drives, to your network.

The Asus application may benefit from some adjustments. Despite being connected to my laptop and streaming the BBC News channel without any issues, the app failed to identify the GT-BE98 device.

In the end, I resorted to traditional methods by utilizing an Ethernet cable to establish a connection between the laptop and the router, followed by configuring the router through its web browser interface.

After completing the setup process, the Asus application successfully established a connection with the GT-BE98 and operated smoothly. Nevertheless, Asus should consider updating the app to make it more user-friendly for beginners, eliminating the need to deal with Ethernet cables and the somewhat unfriendly browser interface.

The application offers several beneficial features, with a particular emphasis on complimentary parental controls that encompass scheduling options and content filters designed to restrict access to different types of inappropriate content.

Furthermore, unlike its competitors, Asus does not impose an additional fee for these functionalities (Netgear, take note). Users can choose to prioritize gaming for optimal performance or allocate resources for other activities like video streaming or file transfers.

Additionally, Asus AiMesh technology can be utilized to incorporate the GT-BE98 into a mesh Wi-Fi system. Furthermore, the Asus application allows for the allocation of bandwidth to establish ‘virtual’ networks tailored for distinct purposes, like setting up a kids’ network or an IoT network for smart devices like lights within your household.

Once more, the application appears somewhat unwieldy in this context, requiring a significant level of technical expertise from the user. Therefore, enhancing the user-friendliness of the app is still an area that requires attention.

ASUS ROG RAPTURE GT-BE98: PERFORMANCE.

The GT-BE98’s performance is commendable, although the initial setup process could be improved for a smoother experience. Our office router, which operates solely on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, faces difficulties in handling our 150Mbps office broadband connection. Nonetheless, we have no complaints about the GT-BE98’s performance.

Our office router is capable of reaching speeds of 80Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 120Mbps on the 5.0GHz band even when transmitting to devices in close proximity. The Ookla Speed Test results reflect this, as well as the speeds of 40Mbps and 100Mbps for the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands respectively when downloading from Steam.

Nevertheless, we possess an office situated at the rear of the establishment where the Wi-Fi signal from our previous router scarcely extends, compelling us to depend on Powerline connectors in order to establish a dependable wired connection.

The GT-BE98 performed admirably in both office settings. Despite being on the slower 2.4GHz band, it was able to increase the Ookla test speed to 145Mbps for devices in the vicinity, and maintained a consistent 80Mbps connection in the back office where Wi-Fi signal is usually weak.

The download speed of Steam on 2.4GHz increased significantly to 75Mbps for devices located in close proximity, and the GT-BE98 consistently maintained that speed even in our back office. Considering the prevalence of smart devices like lights and security cameras that operate on the 2.4GHz band, it is advantageous to have this speed improvement if you intend to establish an IoT network using the Asus app.

However, it is worth noting that the GT-BE98 supports four frequency bands, with the 2.4GHz band being the slowest. It came as no surprise that the GT-BE98 achieved a seamless maximum speed of 150Mbps in both of our test locations when utilizing its additional 5.0GHz and 6.0GHz bands.

Similar to the majority of Wi-Fi 7 routers, the GT-BE98 may be excessive for the average home user. However, it offers a competitive price in comparison to similar models from other brands, making it an excellent choice for gamers who seek to gain an edge during online battles.

BENCHMARKS.