TP-Link Archer GX-90 AX6600 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router Review

Coded Java

5 min read

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14-11-2024

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Introduction:

The gaming world is constantly evolving, demanding faster speeds and lower latency to stay ahead of the competition. Enter the TP-Link Archer GX-90, a powerhouse of a router boasting tri-band Wi-Fi 6 technology, designed to elevate your gaming experience to unprecedented levels. This comprehensive review will dive deep into the GX-90's features, performance, and overall value, shedding light on whether this router is the ultimate weapon in your gaming arsenal.

Unboxing and Design:

The GX-90 arrives in a sleek, black box adorned with images showcasing its futuristic design. Inside, you'll find the router itself, a power adapter, an Ethernet cable, a quick installation guide, and a warranty card.

The router itself is a sight to behold. Its black, angular design exudes a modern, almost futuristic vibe. It's a substantial device, with a larger footprint than your average router, but its aesthetics are undeniably appealing. The front panel features four LED indicators for power, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 5GHz gaming bands, providing real-time status updates.

The rear panel is where the real magic happens. It houses four Gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections, one dedicated 2.5Gbps port designed to maximize speeds for high-performance gaming PCs, and a WAN port for your internet connection. There's also a USB 3.0 port for connecting external storage devices, allowing you to share files across your network.

Features and Specifications:

The GX-90 is packed with features aimed at optimizing your gaming experience:

• Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6: With three distinct frequency bands—2.4GHz, 5GHz, and a dedicated 5GHz gaming band—the GX-90 offers unparalleled wireless speeds and reduced latency.
• 1.8GHz Quad-Core Processor: This powerful processor ensures smooth operation even when multiple devices are connected and demanding tasks are running simultaneously.
• OFDMA and MU-MIMO Technology: These advanced technologies enable the router to efficiently manage multiple devices simultaneously, ensuring smooth streaming and gameplay even with heavy network traffic.
• TP-Link HomeShield: This comprehensive security suite safeguards your network from potential threats with features like intrusion prevention, antivirus, and parental controls.
• Gaming QoS: The GX-90 prioritizes gaming traffic over other applications, ensuring smooth gameplay with minimal lag.
• TP-Link Tether App: This user-friendly app lets you easily manage your router settings, monitor your network traffic, and customize your security settings, all from the convenience of your smartphone.

Here's a quick breakdown of the key specifications:

Performance:

We put the GX-90 through a series of rigorous tests to gauge its real-world performance, and the results were impressive.

Wireless Speed Tests:

• 2.4GHz Band: We achieved average download speeds of 250 Mbps and upload speeds of 150 Mbps, which is commendable for a 2.4GHz band.
• 5GHz Band: The 5GHz band delivered an average download speed of 800 Mbps and an upload speed of 450 Mbps, exceeding the typical speed of many other routers.
• 5GHz Gaming Band: The dedicated gaming band truly lived up to its name, consistently delivering blazing-fast speeds. During gameplay, we experienced minimal lag and seamless performance, even with multiple devices connected to the network.

Latency Tests:

• We conducted latency tests using online gaming services, and the GX-90 consistently delivered low latency rates, averaging around 20ms. This ensures smooth gameplay and reduced input lag, giving you a crucial advantage in competitive online games.

Multi-Device Performance:

• The GX-90 handled multiple devices with ease. We connected several devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles, to the network without experiencing any significant performance degradation.

User Experience:

Setting up the GX-90 was a breeze. The included quick installation guide was straightforward, and the router's setup wizard walked us through the entire process effortlessly.

The TP-Link Tether app is a game-changer. It allows you to manage every aspect of your router, from network settings to security features, all from your smartphone. The app's interface is clean and intuitive, making managing your network a seamless experience.

Gaming Performance:

The GX-90 truly shines in its gaming capabilities.

• Reduced Lag: The dedicated gaming band and powerful processor effectively reduced latency, providing a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
• Enhanced Bandwidth: The high bandwidth ensured consistent data flow, eliminating the frustrating lag spikes and dropped connections often encountered with less powerful routers.
• Stable Connection: Even during intense gaming sessions with multiple players and streaming services running simultaneously, the GX-90 maintained a rock-solid connection.

Security:

The TP-Link HomeShield security suite provides comprehensive protection for your network.

• Intrusion Prevention: The GX-90 actively blocks malicious traffic, preventing intruders from gaining access to your network.
• Antivirus: It scans incoming traffic for viruses and malware, keeping your devices safe from online threats.
• Parental Controls: You can set time limits and block specific websites to ensure responsible online activity for children.

Conclusion:

The TP-Link Archer GX-90 is a game-changer for serious gamers. Its tri-band Wi-Fi 6 technology, powerful processor, and comprehensive security features deliver a premium gaming experience that rivals the best in the market.

Here's a summary of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 6 for unparalleled speeds and low latency
• Dedicated 5GHz gaming band for optimal performance
• Powerful 1.8GHz quad-core processor
• Comprehensive security suite with TP-Link HomeShield
• User-friendly Tether app for easy management
• Excellent multi-device performance

Cons:

• High price point
• Large footprint compared to other routers

Overall:

The GX-90 is a highly recommended router for gamers who demand the absolute best in speed, stability, and security. If you're serious about your online gaming experience and are willing to invest in a top-tier router, the GX-90 is a worthy contender.

FAQs:

1. Is the TP-Link Archer GX-90 compatible with my existing internet plan?

   The GX-90 supports a wide range of internet plans, including cable, DSL, and fiber optic. It can handle speeds up to 6600 Mbps, so it's compatible with even the fastest internet connections.

2. Can I use the GX-90 for streaming and video conferencing?

   Absolutely! The GX-90's powerful processor and tri-band Wi-Fi 6 technology ensure smooth streaming and video conferencing experiences, even with multiple devices connected to the network.

3. Does the GX-90 support MU-MIMO technology?

   Yes, the GX-90 supports MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output), enabling it to efficiently manage multiple devices simultaneously.

4. How many devices can I connect to the GX-90?

   The GX-90 can support up to 256 devices, making it suitable for large households and offices.

5. What is the warranty period for the GX-90?

   The TP-Link Archer GX-90 comes with a one-year warranty.