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AI is everywhere these days, so it’s no surprise to see it on your router, too. Asus’ ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI has all the trimmings of a top-end gaming router, with some added AI flavor.
Asus has gone all out to justify the $900 price tag with nearly every feature you could want. There’s Wi-Fi 7 support across 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands, giving it enormous bandwidth potential. It can deliver up to 19Gbps wireless speeds. For your next LAN party, the dual 10G Ethernet ports and four 2.5G Ethernet ports provide a total wired capacity of up to 31Gbps.
(Credit: Asus)
The raw processing power is impressive, too, with a quad-core CPU, 4GB of DDR4 memory, and 32GB of eMMC flash onboard storage. It also features a Docker Engine with CLI and Compose support, providing ample space to install Docker Apps that can be run directly within the router, thanks to its onboard AI processing capabilities.
This is where Asus feels its router really stands apart. The AI can run automation services, AI tasks, or allow for on-router IoT management without the need for a separate PC or server. It can simplify and streamline smart home management and work in conjunction with security cameras for image recognition, for example. There are also AdGuard and other tracker filtering systems that it can leverage for a leaner web browsing experience.
Asus touts the AI’s ability to reduce latency by up to 34% and better prioritize latency-sensitive data, such as gaming or video calls.
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As with all gaming routers, this one comes festooned with external antennas for a strong Wi-Fi signal even in larger homes with plenty of obstructions. It is also covered in RGB LEDs, so whatever kind of light show you want your gaming room to have, this router can match it.
Even with all those features, $899.99 is pretty steep just to get online a bit faster than before. On PCMag’s list of top gaming routers, the most expensive pick—another Asus—is just over $600.
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About Our Expert
Jon Martindale
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Jon Martindale is a tech journalist from the UK, with 20 years of experience covering all manner of PC components and associated gadgets. He’s written for a range of publications, including ExtremeTech, Digital Trends, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and Lifewire, among others. When not writing, he’s a big board gamer and reader, with a particular habit of speed-reading through long manga sagas.
Jon covers the latest PC components, as well as how-to guides on everything from how to take a screenshot to how to set up your cryptocurrency wallet. He particularly enjoys the battles between the top tech giants in CPUs and GPUs, and tries his best not to take sides.
Jon’s gaming PC is built around the iconic 7950X3D CPU, with a 7900XTX backing it up. That’s all the power he needs to play lightweight indie and casual games, as well as more demanding sim titles like Kerbal Space Program. He uses a pair of Jabra Active 8 earbuds and a SteelSeries Arctis Pro wireless headset, and types all day on a Logitech G915 mechanical keyboard.
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