The secret of the router core is all here!

Yesterday, I shared a small message about pushing the router. Xiao Bian felt that the recommended models based on the light chip were still not enough, so today I decided to compile a list of common router processors and third-party systems available in the market for your reference. If you're only focused on performance or cost-effectiveness, choosing a model based on the main chip will meet the needs of general users and even some advanced ones without any issues. However, if you have more specific requirements, third-party firmware can be a goldmine of possibilities. These systems offer powerful features, allow you to install custom software, and give you greater control over your router. Of course, their stability may not match the original firmware, which ultimately depends on personal preference. Like it.

New Perspective: Looking at the Router from the Processor

Marvell: You often hear about Marvell's SSDs, but they've also been a leader in router processors. Xiao Bian believes that Marvell's products in recent years have delivered excellent power efficiency and performance, although they tend to be expensive.

Representative models: Linksys WRT1200/1900/32X

Third-party systems: DD-WRT, LEDE/OpenWrt

Broadcom: Broadcom is a major player in wireless routers (and even acquired Qualcomm). It offers great compatibility, strong performance, and maintains a large market share. While older models like BCM4708 had issues with high power consumption and heat, newer versions have improved significantly. Previously based on MIPS architecture, Broadcom now uses ARM, making it a popular choice for many high-end routers.

Representative models: ASUS RT-AC86U/RT-AC68U, Netgear R6900/R7000

Third-party systems: DD-WRT, Tomato, Merlin

Qualcomm: Known for its mobile chips, Qualcomm entered the router market through its acquisition of Atheros. Atheros was once a leader in Wi-Fi technology before withdrawing from the market. Today, Qualcomm focuses on ARM-based router chips, offering impressive performance.

Representative models: Netgear R7500/7800, ASUS AC-RH17

Third-party systems: DD-WRT, LEDE/OpenWrt

Intel: Although Intel's presence in home routers is limited, it has made significant contributions to network devices. The Fiji K3 is one example, though it’s not commonly found in consumer-grade routers.

Representative models: Feixun K3

Third-party systems: LEDE, Merlin

MediaTek (MTK): MediaTek is known as the "Brush King" in the router world. Its turnkey solutions make it easy for manufacturers to develop routers quickly, resulting in a wide range of compatible systems and high customization potential.

Representative models: Newifi 3, Polar Route 4, Mercury MAC2600R

Third-party systems: Padavan, LEDE, Merlin

Huawei HiSilicon: Huawei’s HiSilicon chips are used exclusively in their own routers. As a leading ARM architecture developer, Huawei has proven its strength in networking. However, the third-party system support is very limited, with almost no options available.

Representative models: Huawei WS5200

Third-party systems: None

What is a Third-Party System?

Third-party systems, also known as third-party firmware, are embedded systems that evolved from open-source projects. For example, Linksys opened up the source code of the WRT54G router, allowing the community to create alternative firmwares. Over time, several well-known systems emerged.

DD-WRT: One of the earliest third-party firmwares, mainly used for WDS bridging and transitioning between firmware versions. It's less popular today.

Tomato: Based on Linksys' GPL code, but includes Broadcom’s patented binaries. It’s mainly for Broadcom-based routers and isn't widely used anymore.

LEDE/OpenWrt, Gargoyle, and PandoraBox: OpenWrt is the most popular third-party system, offering a flexible, customizable environment where you can add software packages. LEDE was born from OpenWrt and has since taken over its development. Gargoyle and PandoraBox are derivatives of OpenWrt.

Padavan: Originally developed for ASUS N56U, it was later adapted for MTK N7620/7621 series routers. It’s user-friendly and powerful, making it a favorite among enthusiasts.

Merlin: Developed by ASUS users, this firmware is officially supported by ASUS. It uses official drivers, ensuring better stability than open-source alternatives. It's ideal for ASUS routers and offers a balance of power and reliability.

Xiao Bian recommends that if you're looking for top performance, consider Qualcomm, Broadcom, or HiSilicon processors. For stable daily use, Huawei routers are a solid choice. If you're after affordability, MTK-based routers are a good starting point. For those interested in third-party firmware, MTK is the best entry-level option. If you want to explore LEDE (for Qualcomm or HiSilicon) or Tomato and Merlin (for Broadcom), it all comes down to personal preference.