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Answering TP-Link’s over-the-top November announcement on new Wi-Fi 7 hardware, Asus today unveiled two new flagship routers: the ROG Rapture GT-BE98 for gamers and the RT-BE96U for general consumers.
Both Wi-Fi machines share the same physical look and processing power but differ in colors, design details, network ports, and Wi-Fi specs. In any case, both are physically massive and powerful Wi-Fi broadcasters.
They represent Asus’s intention to embrace Wi-Fi 7 fully, albeit slowly. The company says it will release more hardware of the new wireless standard later in the year.
Update: The reviews of the GT-BE98 Pro and RT-BE96U are now available.
ROG Rapture GT-BE98: Asus’s first quad-band Wi-Fi 7 gaming router
The ROG Rapture GT-BE98 is similar to Asus’s previous quad-band Wi-Fi 6E router, the GT-AXE16000. It has one 2.4GHz band, two 5GHz bands, and one 6GHz band.
The most significant difference, however, is it supports Wi-Fi 7. Consequently, it has a much higher total wireless bandwidth—up to 25000Mbps—as you will note in the specification table below.
As a gaming router, the GT-BE98 has a striking look. Asus says the new Wi-Fi machine’s top is partly transparent to reveal some advanced circuitry and heatsinks on the inside—the stuff that supposedly makes the router powerful. On top of that, per Asus, “a bold graphic design communicates the ROG spirit,” whatever that means.
What’s most significant about the GT-BE98, however, might be the fact it’s the first consumer-grade router that includes three 10GbE ports, which sure will make fans of Multi-Gig happy.
Asus GT-BE98 vs. RT-BE96U: Preliminary hardware specifications
 |  | |
| GT-BE98/Pro | RT-BE96U | |
| Antennas | 8 x external antennas | 8 x external antennas |
| Operating Frequency | Quad-band: 2.4GHz, 5GHz-1, 5GHz-2, 6GHz | Tri-band: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz |
| Wi-Fi Data Rate | 2.4GHz: up to 1376 Mbps (4096 QAM) 5GHz-1: up to 5762 Mbps (4096 QAM + 160 MHz) 5GHz-2: up to 5762 Mbps (4096 QAM + 160 MHz) 6GHz: up to 11,525 Mbps (4096 QAM + 320 MHz) | 2.4GHz: up to 1376 Mbps (4096 QAM) 5GHz: up to 5762 Mbps (4096 QAM + 160 MHz) 6GHz: up to 11,525 Mbps (4096 QAM + 320 MHz) |
| Network Standards | IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11be, IPv4, IPv6 | IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11be, IPv4, IPv6 |
| Memory | Quad-core 2.6GHz CPU, 256MB Flash, 2GB DDR4 RAM | Quad-core 2.6GHz CPU, 256MB Flash, 2GB DDR4 RAM |
| I/O Ports | 1 x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN 2 x 10 Gbps LAN 4 x Gigabit LAN 1 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 2.0 | 1 x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN 1 x 10 Gbps LAN 4 x Gigabit LAN 1 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 2.0 |
| Hardware Buttons | Power Switch Reset Button WPS Button LED Control | Power Switch Reset Button WPS Button LED Control |
| DC Power Adapter | AC Input: 100~240 V (50~60 Hz) DC Output: 19 V with max. 3.42 A current; 19.5 V with max 3.33 A current | AC Input: 100~240 V (50~60 Hz) DC Output: 19V with max. 3.42A current; 19.5V with max 3.33A current |
| Package Contents | ROG Rapture GT-BE98 RJ-45 cable Power adapter Quick Start guide Warranty card | ASUS RT-BE96U RJ-45 cable Power adapter Quick Start guide Warranty card |
| Dimensions (with antennas) | 14.12 x 14.12 x 8.77 in (358.6 x 358.6 x 222.8 mm) | 13.8 x 13.8 x 8.57 in (350.6 x 350.6 x 217.59 mm) |
Asus RT-BE96U: A powerful tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router
On the other hand, the RT-BE96U router is a tri-band Wi-Fi 7 router that reminisces the RT-AX7800 (or maybe the GT-AX11000).
As you might have noted in the table above, the new router has three distinctive bands (2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz) with a combined bandwidth of 1900Mbps, thanks to its support for Wi-Fi 7.
Apart from having one less 5GHz band than the GT-BE98, the RT-BE96U also has one fewer 10Gbps port. Still, with two 10GbE ports, it’s ready to create a true Multi-Gig network with a Multi-Gig switch.
Pricing and availability
The ROG Rapture GT-BE98 and RT-BE96U are still in the early development stage. Asus says the two will be available sometime in 2023, with the pricing being unveiled then. Rest assured, they will not be the last Asus Wi-Fi 7 routers you’ll hear about this year.
And there’s no rush. Like previous standards, Wi-Fi 7 has little impact when available only on the broadcasting side. Consumers likely have to wait until the end of the year, possibly even later, before getting their hands on a Wi-Fi 7 device. Only then will the effect of Wi-Fi 7 be real.
While it generally doesn’t hurt (other than your wallet) to get a Wi-Fi 7 router as soon as it becomes available—it supports all existing clients—it only makes sense to do so when you can take advantage of the new wireless standard. And for that, you generally need the hardware on both ends of a connection.
In any case, check back for more information on these two new exciting pieces of hardware and, when possible, their in-depth reviews.
Update: The reviews of the GT-BE98 Pro and RT-BE96U are now available.
enyone tested ai mesh with ROG Rapture GT-BE98 (Main) and a tri-band like the AX-92U(Nodes) curious to know if it work well.
also enyone know if the GT-BE98 would be sold in canada? only the pro version is available.
Only thr Pro is available in North America for now, Olivier. More in the review. As for the combo, check out this post.
Hi Dong,
We’re in the “later this year”. Any inside info you got on when these bad boys will be released?
Thanks!
Later this year, Arian. 🙂
Thank you for the info Dong! And thank you for always being super responsive. Reading your articles and asking you questions has helped guide me to make the right decision for myself. Just getting anxious for these to finally release 🙂
They’re available now on the asus website. I’ve got one.
What! Where? Do you have a link? I can’t find a buy link anywhere.
GT-BE96U is out now available at Best Buy, Amazon etc….
I’ve been testing one. I generally takes my time in testing, just FYI. 🙂
There’s no rush by the way. Wi-Fi 7 is not yet ready.
I saw that. Waiting for the GT-BE98 though. Hopefully it will be really soon now that the GT-BE96U is available 🙂
Looks like all the major players (Linksys, Netgear, Asus, TP Link) have already listed their bleeding-edge Wifi 7 routers for sale on Amazon. Unfortunately, there are barely any Wifi 7-capable clients to use the routers with, aside from some smartphones. Hope PC makers will incorporate the Intel BE200/202 Wifi 7 cards into their 2024 desktops and laptops soon…
Hi,
when will it be available in shops?
I just received the GT-AXE16000 and my current one is the Asus “spider” looking model, which is ok, but lacking, especially on software side and multigig.
The thing is i don’t care about wifi, but seeing as the new one has 10Gb WAN port is something i actually need, right now i have 2.5gb fiber, but they already offering 5gb, not my ISP but competitors so my ISP will have to offer it soon.
This one port is difference between buying 10Gb 4 port switch or not since i have unraid server and need two 10Gb ports for local Ethernet.
feels like a loser right now
P.S. Do you plan to review the relatively cheap Xiaomi 10000 router? it has x4 2.5gb ports and x2 10gb ports and its half price vs ASUS high end models like that AXE160000, you can find it on ali and im sure other sites too.
Thanks
You have to ask Asus the first question — your guess is as good as mine. For your needs, you can check out the TP-Link Archer BE800 or Deco BE8 (single unit). I only review hardware approved for the US market, Xiaomi is not, likely for good reasons.
Amezing routers and amezing design.. Asus please send me one of these.. will love to rock them hard.
I think TP-Link is doing it right with the port selection. 1G LAN ports are ridiculous for WiFi-7. It is about time that 2.5G and 10G ports become the standard, especially for these high end routers. When spending big money on a router, you shouldn’t need to buy a separate switch to expand your port selection.
TP- Link is doing the same as Asus on this front, Mario.
Man, are ASUS designers aware that people have wifes? Those router are so ugly my wife would never approve having them anywhere.
I do think that these are outrageously ugly too. Not everyone is 16 and plays lol all day. 16 years old are probably not the target market anyway.
Could they just take those specs make something fat and white that you can hide somewhere?
They prolly are. There’s Wif in Wi-Fi, you know. But there are also some of us who can talk our ladies into *anything*. Something to think about, Chris. 🙂
This is the comment of the year 🙂
The year is still young! 🎆
I hide my routers in the attic, except for the primary AiMesh in my office. I don’t care how ugly as long as they work. I’m currently waiting for someone to put one of the AXE or BE quad-band ASUS routers on deep discount (30% or so) so that my RT-AC5300 for the detached garage (cement block!) can have both 5GHz bands active… even though I use wired backhaul.
does it support unii-4 for wireless mesh?
That info is not available at this time, Kevin. But generally, the significance of UNII-4 doesn’t apply in Wi-Fi 7.
Dog should tell us more about the cpu inside
That info is not yet available, Osman. But “Dog”, though?
Autocorrected. I thought Dong knew.
🐶
Reportedly Broadcom BCM4916 is used.
Yes, Cat. Or one of these.
BCM4398 – Low-power mobile devices and AR/VR devices
BCM43740/BCM43720 – Enterprise Wi-Fi access points Upcoming Ubiquiti UniFi AP’s
BCM67263/BCM6726 – Residential Wi-Fi access points, routers and repeaters and Service provider gateways like the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98/BE96
As mentioned here, Donaven.
Here’s to hoping the 10 gig ports and usb port have better performance than last gen. The CPU and the ram have a good bump in performance on paper, but that’s on paper.
I hope that is the case, Joseph, but generally, don’t expect a router to work as a real NAS server; get a real NAS instead. 🙂
Even a real NAS does not work like a “REAL NAS” these days with random limitations and upgrade blocks. So for the first time, I built my own NAS using Fractal Node 304 case with TrueNAS scale and could’nt be more happier. Ohh it was also cheaper.
True NAS is a real NAS solution. 🙂
I did. It’s a QNAP TS-453D 4 bay. Unfortunately one of the 4 exos drives already failed. Let’s see how Seagate handles the 5 year warranty. Fortunately I have backups.
Dong,
Noticed in the new specs that Wifi6e is not supported (802.11axe); does that mean that all those 6e client devices would revert to wifi6 with this new router ?
If you had this new router in a mesh with a slave GT_AXE16000 would you have 6e and 7 (near the routers)?
AXE is basically AX on the 6GHz band, Mario. If a router support BE, the support for AXE is implied. In any case, those are preliminary specs. NOBODY knows how Wi-Fi 7 will pan out yet. Nothing you read about Wi-Fi 7 right now is set in stone. Most of what you hear is marketing. (Hint: it’s bullshit to an extent 🙂 )
I just bought Asus ROG line of gaming routers and setup in an AIMesh as they call. Both routers have the 6GHz band.
I get that WiFi 7 enables 320MHz on 6, but besides that I can’t see why “6E” hardware can’t support part of the WiFi 7 standard. Just feels like they want to push us onto new hardware and more sales for them.
Your assessment is correct. Wi-Fi 7 basically unifies the use of the bands, and it will support existing standards on both sides of a connection. More in this post. I’d just get what works for me today.
Minor point but I do like the design of the led lights over the GT-AXE16000 , back to more traditional, easy-to-read indicators.
If it turns out indeed that way. 🤞
Other than the different in the extra 10GB port I dont see much of a difference hardware/chipset wise between the axe16000 and this, other than the obvious of 6e vs 7. Would be nice if you could do a comparison piece at some point. TY!
These new routers won’t be available until later this year and to take advantage of Wi-Fi 7 you’ll have to wait even much longer. Enjoy your GT-AXE16000! It’ll be a great router for years.
Annoying because I literally JUST purchased the gt-axe16000 and its already obsolete.
Other than the different in the extra 10GB port I dont see much of a difference hardware/chipset wise between the axe16000 and this, other than the obvious of 6e vs 7. Would be nice if you could do a comparison piece at some point. TY!
I don’t think that’s what obsolete means. This isn’t even out yet, and there are plenty of uses for the AXE16000 for many years to come.
LOL I was literally about to post this.. Just got a 16000..
Lol. Enjoy that router. It’s still the best. Speaking from experience. 😉