MSI Radix AX6600 WiFi 6 Tri-Band Gaming Router, AI QoS, 1.8GHz Quad-Core Processor, MU-MIMO, Gigabit Wireless, 8-Stream, High Speed Long Range

Good replacement for mesh system
I have a two story house about 2900 sq ft. I had a newer three node mesh system in place, but had many random issues with it. Found this router on sale and figured it was worth trying out. So far it works 100% better than the mesh system. I have it placed centrally upstairs with the antennas angled to face the main areas of the home. I am only using it as an access point, alongside a Mikrotik router. For this purpose, it has been great. Full coverage and great speeds. Way less hassle than with the mesh.

Good Hardware, Needs firmware/SW support.
This might get edited later on, but I’m quite enjoying what this offers for the sale price I paid. ($60 with tax shipped on sale)This router is basically a copy of a Synology RT6600AX with downgrades here and there. I say copy because they’re literally both OEM’d by EDIMAX in Taiwan. Contract EE design.Where they diverge is Flash RAM and total RAM.-Synology has 4GB of flash for its OS.. where the MSI is only 256mb flash.-Synology operates with 1GB, where the MSI is half at 512MB DDR4.Both use the same CPU and platform layouts. Qualcomm IPQ6018 1.8ghz A53 tied to a QCN5052 and QCN5022 for 2×2 + 2×2 config. The 4×4 main Radio is a QCN9024 which is like a gen 2 AX radio that has innate 4096 QAM (similar to current gen WIFI7 HW). Competitor WIFI6 Hardware is generally 1024 QAM.. so this is kind of unique given it’s still a WIFI 6 router.PROBLEMS:As others have mentioned, the firmware/Software is a little underdeveloped. The first thing I noticed is that you cannot set the premium QCN9024 4×4 radio to a lower 36-64 channel block.. Instead they LIMIT you to using 100+ channel config which is pure DFS when it comes to 160mhz bonding..**every other established manufacturer/brand has this working**The unfortunate circumstances are that I’ve already dropped signal due to DFS kicking me out. And since I cannot use the lower *Public + DFS* block of 36-64.. it makes 160mhz in the US region kind of of useless on this router.The 5G-1 (or 2×2) radio can operate from 36-64.. but there’s really no logic to that.. as that 2×2 radio doesn’t support 160mhz.. I think this is a complete oversight from MSI given use in other regions.Both bands should support the full 36-161 range of UNII blocks on 5G and overlap. I would argue for UNII-4.. like Synology has, but that would require a complete FCC recertification and change out of MSI.*I would rather them improve the FW/SW on this before divulging into that*So far this is the biggest issue I’ve come across within the first few hours… MSI really needs to update the firmware and allow this!PROS:The main 4×4 radio still performs exceptionally well relative to competitive hardware on market, even being limited to unii-3 at 80mhz bonding.. I’m actually impressed.GUI is snappy in default mode. Cant really complain.. Radios also load fairly quick.Has a 2.5G port. Entire HW package competes in the $150+ USD range.The $60 I paid is likely just BoM cost given the original MSRP of $250. Not sure why MSI is selling these cheap through supplier channels.NEUTRAL: I didn’t touch the AI QoS or alt software “GT Booster”.. but I think this is why people are having issues with this router. I really think MSI should just ditch that entire concept and just keep the basic manual QoS until they can start actually going hardcore..They’re not at ASUS (router) level yet where the software overrides the hardware in a lot of situations.It’s unfortunate that this router has SW/FW issues, because I think it’s an amazingly solid platform, but they also cut corners in the wrong areas.. IE: 1GB of total ram prob would have made the experience a tad better when running those extra layers…As a basic router without “GT booster” engaged, the 512MB is prob well more than enough and I’m currently only utilizing 40-45% of ram with 30 clients.OTHER:With the above in consideration, you shouldn’t expect this to compete with Synology’s on SW and optimization, but the radio performance is certainly going to be in the same ballpark when factoring “hardware” alone.I’m actually impressed for what was a $60 router…. Definitely one of the better options I’ve used/tried.. Current HW stack includes WIFI7 BE800, WIFI6 AX86U, WIFI5 GT-AC2900.I’ll prob end up selling my AX86U and GT-AC2900 and hopefully keeping this MSI as a backup.. but I need to figure out if there are any other glaring issues before that happens.OVERALL:Great hardware crippled by SW/FW not being as refined as it should. MSI should scrap “GT booster” and just make it an extremely stable platform before engaging in partnerships with other entities.I didn’t test USB/NAS performance yet, but I’ve read it isn’t the best.. and least relative to what the Synology version can do.If you can grab these for around $100 or lower.. it’s definitely better than whatever else is offered in this price range.. It’s like no contest due to the main QCN9024 “5G-2” radio having a REALLY good 4×4 design.WIFI6 4×4 main radio designs are usually at least $150 for a dual band… with much weaker overall platform/hardware with A7 main CPU (Broadcom).. and no 2.5G support… So you can definitely see where I’m coming from in that regard.$60 – Must buy.$80 – Tempting. Extreme value.$100- Good value, beware of SW problems. Best HW in this price range still.$150- Consider other 4×4 main radio models with established SW. This still competes (performance alone), but not seamless.$200 Go with another company 🙂

Impressive multi-tasking
Once set up. Im impressed in how it can multitask. I’m doing large file transfers using FTP. And it does not even bother it. Other devices are running really well. Also … almost no lag.

Good price no support
The price is great however the router hasn’t seen a firmware update since January 2024. Seems msi is no longer supporting this router and is a major security concern.First router was also busted as one of the band would not work but rma for a new one was pretty painless.Other than that there is so much potential for this router if only the software would just stay updated. I’m holding out hope for an open source firmware but can’t recommend this until then.

Le routeur est puissant et le wi-fi entre bien.

El router es estetico y las bandas funcionan bien,pero mucho ojo,si eres de Mexico,y tu isp solo maneja tu servicio por PPPoE,lamentablemente no podras conectarlo,ya que el firmware actual no soporta vlans personalizadas,solo las que vienen por defecto dentro del menu de configuracion del router.La mayoria son de Europa y Norteamerica.Lastima por parte de MSI.Espero les sirva, mejor busquen otras opciones.