The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is a powerhouse, setting a new benchmark for Wi-Fi 7 routers, delivering unparalleled speeds, robust coverage, and advanced gaming features that make it a compelling choice for enthusiasts and demanding users looking to future-proof their home network.

It’s an investment, for sure, but if you’re serious about low-latency gaming, streaming 8K content, or managing a heavily trafficked smart home, this router is engineered to handle it all with remarkable efficiency.

This beast of a router isn’t just about raw speed.

It’s about optimizing your entire network experience.

With its quad-band design, including the new 6 GHz band, along with features like Multi-Link Operation MLO and 4096-QAM, the GT-BE98 Pro is built to minimize bottlenecks and maximize throughput.

For anyone who’s ever grumbled about lag spikes during a critical gaming session or buffering while trying to stream their favorite show, this router aims to be the definitive solution.

We’re talking about a significant leap forward from previous Wi-Fi standards, making it a critical piece of hardware for those pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with their home connectivity.

Product Name	Key Feature 1	Key Feature 2	Amazon Link
Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro	Wi-Fi 7 802.11be Quad-Band	Multi-Link Operation MLO	Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro
TP-Link Archer BE900	Wi-Fi 7 Quad-Band	12 Streams	TP-Link Archer BE900
Netgear Nighthawk RS700S	Wi-Fi 7 Tri-Band	10 Gigabit WAN Port	Netgear Nighthawk RS700S
MSI RadiX BE22000	Wi-Fi 7 Tri-Band	AI QoS	MSI RadiX BE22000
Google Nest Wifi Pro	Wi-Fi 6E Tri-Band	Mesh System	Google Nest Wifi Pro
Eero Max 7	Wi-Fi 7 Tri-Band	TrueMesh Technology	Eero Max 7
Ubiquiti UniFi U6-Enterprise	Wi-Fi 6E Tri-Band	Enterprise-Grade Performance	Ubiquiti UniFi U6-Enterprise

Table of Contents

The Dawn of Wi-Fi 7: What It Means for Your Home Network

Wi-Fi 7, also known as 802.11be or Extremely High Throughput EHT, isn’t just an incremental upgrade.

It’s a monumental leap forward, designed to handle the increasing demands of modern digital living.

Think about it: with more 8K streaming, high-fidelity VR, and an ever-growing array of smart home devices, the previous Wi-Fi standards were starting to feel the squeeze.

Wi-Fi 7 comes in like a breath of fresh air, promising speeds that were once confined to wired connections, dramatically lower latency, and significantly improved network efficiency.

Multi-Link Operation MLO Explained

One of the cornerstone features of Wi-Fi 7 is Multi-Link Operation MLO. This isn’t just some marketing buzzword. it’s a must.

Imagine your router being able to use multiple frequency bands simultaneously for a single data transmission. That’s essentially what MLO does.

Instead of sticking to just 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz, MLO allows a device and the router to aggregate bandwidth across different bands.

Increased Throughput: By combining channels, MLO can achieve much higher data rates. It’s like turning a single-lane highway into a multi-lane superhighway.
Reduced Latency: If one band experiences interference or congestion, MLO can intelligently switch or distribute traffic across clearer bands, drastically reducing latency. This is absolutely critical for real-time applications like online gaming or VR.
Enhanced Reliability: MLO offers redundancy. If one link fails or degrades, the others can pick up the slack, ensuring a more stable connection.

4096-QAM and Wider Channels

Wi-Fi 7 pushes the modulation scheme even further with 4096-QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. To put it simply, QAM determines how much data can be packed into each signal.

4096-QAM: This allows for a massive 12 bits per symbol, a significant jump from Wi-Fi 6/6E’s 1024-QAM 10 bits per symbol. In practical terms, this means more data can be transmitted in the same amount of time, leading to higher theoretical speeds. It’s like having a more efficient language for data packets.
Wider Channels: Wi-Fi 7 supports channel widths up to 320 MHz, primarily in the 6 GHz band. This is double the maximum channel width of Wi-Fi 6/6E. Wider channels mean more space for data to flow, directly contributing to higher throughput.

How Wi-Fi 7 Enhances Gaming and Streaming

For gamers, Wi-Fi 7 is a dream come true. Adata Sd810 Review

The combination of MLO, lower latency, and higher speeds directly translates to a more fluid, responsive gaming experience.

No more frustrating lag spikes costing you that crucial headshot or perfect combo.

Reduced Ping: MLO’s ability to seamlessly switch between bands and its overall efficiency means lower ping times, which is paramount for competitive online gaming.
Less Packet Loss: More robust connections reduce the likelihood of packet loss, ensuring that every command you input is received without delay.
High-Bandwidth Streaming: For streamers, whether you’re broadcasting your gameplay or consuming 8K content, Wi-Fi 7’s sheer throughput ensures smooth, unbuffered experiences. You can comfortably stream multiple high-resolution videos simultaneously without breaking a sweat.

Unpacking the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro’s Hardware Arsenal

When you pick up the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro, it’s clear this isn’t your average router.

It’s a statement piece, built with serious hardware to back up its Wi-Fi 7 claims.

We’re talking about a quad-band design, multiple high-speed ports, and internal components designed for sustained, high-performance operation.

Quad-Band Design and the 6 GHz Advantage

The GT-BE98 Pro utilizes a quad-band architecture, meaning it operates on four distinct frequency bands: one 2.4 GHz, two 5 GHz, and one 6 GHz.

This is a significant differentiator from tri-band routers.

2.4 GHz: Excellent for long-range coverage and penetrating walls, ideal for smart home devices and general browsing.
First 5 GHz: High-speed, lower latency, good for most modern devices.
Second 5 GHz: Provides additional high-speed capacity, crucial for mitigating congestion in busy networks.
6 GHz: This is the star of the show for Wi-Fi 7. It offers up to 1200 MHz of clear, uncongested spectrum in regions where available. This band is less prone to interference from older Wi-Fi devices, microwaves, and Bluetooth. It’s like having a brand-new, empty highway for your fastest devices.

The addition of a second 5 GHz band, alongside the 6 GHz, provides immense flexibility and capacity.

You can dedicate one 5 GHz band to gaming devices, the other to streaming devices, and leave the 6 GHz for your most demanding Wi-Fi 7 enabled clients, ensuring optimal performance across the board.

High-Speed Wired Connectivity: 10 Gigabit Ports

While Wi-Fi 7 gets all the glory, the wired connectivity on the GT-BE98 Pro is equally impressive and crucial for a high-performance network. Asus Proart Pa602 Review

It features multiple high-speed Ethernet ports, including:

Two 10 Gigabit Ports 1x WAN/LAN, 1x LAN: These are absolute game-changers. The 10 Gigabit WAN port allows you to take full advantage of multi-gig internet plans, future-proofing your connection for years to come. The additional 10 Gigabit LAN port is perfect for connecting a high-speed NAS, a gaming PC, or a high-end workstation, ensuring no bottleneck from your wired backbone.
Four 2.5 Gigabit LAN Ports: These ports provide a significant upgrade over traditional Gigabit Ethernet, perfect for connecting multiple gaming consoles, desktop PCs, or other devices that benefit from higher wired speeds.

This combination of multi-gig and 10-gig ports means you can build a truly high-speed network, ensuring that your wired connections are just as fast, if not faster, than your wireless ones.

Powerful Processing and Ample Memory

Underneath its aggressive exterior, the GT-BE98 Pro houses serious processing power and memory, essential for managing complex network tasks and high data throughput.

Powerful Quad-Core Processor: The router is equipped with a high-performance quad-core CPU, often clocked at 2.6 GHz. This robust processor is vital for handling demanding tasks like:
- Traffic Management: Efficiently routing data packets, especially with MLO and OFDMA.
- Security Features: Running advanced security protocols and intrusion prevention systems without slowing down.
- Multi-Gigabit Speeds: Processing the sheer volume of data moving across its 10 Gigabit ports.
- VPN Management: Maintaining multiple VPN connections.
Generous RAM: Typically, these high-end routers come with 2 GB or more of RAM. This ample memory is crucial for:
- Large Connection Tables: Managing thousands of simultaneous connections from various devices.
- Firmware and Features: Running the extensive suite of ROG-specific features and ensuring smooth operation of the sophisticated Wi-Fi 7 protocols.

This robust internal hardware ensures that the router doesn’t become a bottleneck, even under extreme load, allowing the Wi-Fi 7 capabilities to truly shine.

Gaming-Centric Features: Beyond Just Speed

As an ROG Republic of Gamers product, the GT-BE98 Pro isn’t just about raw Wi-Fi 7 speeds.

It’s meticulously engineered with features specifically designed to give gamers a competitive edge.

This goes beyond simple QoS and delves into granular control and optimization.

Triple-Level Game Acceleration

Asus has implemented a “Triple-Level Game Acceleration” strategy to ensure your gaming traffic gets top priority from end-to-end.

Game First V Client Optimization: This is a software component, often available on ROG motherboards and laptops, that prioritizes game packets at the device level. It works in conjunction with the router, ensuring your gaming PC or console sends its data with the highest priority.
Game Boost Router Optimization: This is where the router actively prioritizes gaming packets within your home network.
- Adaptive QoS: The router intelligently identifies gaming traffic and assigns it the highest priority, ensuring your game data always goes first.
- Bandwidth Prioritization: You can manually set up bandwidth limits for non-gaming devices or applications, ensuring gaming always has sufficient throughput.
Gamers Private Network Outbound Optimization: This utilizes services like WTFast, a dedicated private network for gaming. By subscribing to WTFast sometimes included with the router, your game traffic is routed through optimized servers, bypassing congested public internet routes and significantly reducing ping to game servers.

This multi-pronged approach ensures that your game packets are prioritized from your device, through your home network, and all the way to the game server, minimizing latency at every possible point.

Game Radar and Open NAT

These features provide advanced control and insights for online gaming. Beyerdynamic Dt 770 Pro X Le Review

Game Radar: This unique feature allows you to check the ping to various game servers around the world for specific games.
- Server Selection: Before you even launch a game, you can see which servers offer the lowest latency, helping you choose the best region for optimal performance.
- Competitive Edge: This is incredibly useful for competitive gamers who want to ensure they’re always playing on the most responsive server available.
Open NAT: Network Address Translation NAT types can significantly impact online gaming, especially peer-to-peer connections.
- Simplified Port Forwarding: Open NAT in Asus routers simplifies the process of setting up port forwarding for specific games. Instead of manually entering port numbers, you can often select a game from a pre-defined list, and the router automatically configures the necessary ports.
- Improved Connectivity: An “Open NAT” type ensures the best possible connectivity for online multiplayer, reducing issues like voice chat problems, connection drops, or inability to join certain lobbies.

Dedicated Gaming Port

Some ROG routers, including the GT-BE98 Pro, often feature a dedicated “Gaming Port” usually one of the 2.5G or 10G LAN ports.

Automatic Priority: When you connect a gaming PC or console to this specific port, the router automatically applies the highest level of QoS and prioritization to traffic from that device.
Reduced Configuration: This eliminates the need for manual configuration of QoS rules, making it incredibly user-friendly for gamers. Just plug in, and the router does the rest, ensuring your gaming rig always gets the VIP treatment.

Coverage, Performance, and Signal Integrity

A router can have all the bells and whistles, but if it can’t deliver strong, consistent Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, it’s just an expensive paperweight.

The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is designed with signal integrity and extensive coverage in mind, leveraging its antenna array and internal design.

Antenna Design and Beamforming Technology

The physical design of the GT-BE98 Pro’s antennas is critical for its performance.

External High-Performance Antennas: The router features eight external, adjustable antennas. These aren’t just for show. they are precision-engineered to provide optimal signal transmission and reception across all bands. Their adjustable nature allows users to fine-tune the direction for better coverage in specific areas.
Internal Antennas Often Complementary: While not always explicitly highlighted, many high-end routers also incorporate internal antennas for specific functionalities or to complement the external ones.
Beamforming Implicit and Explicit: This is a crucial technology for signal integrity.
- How it Works: Instead of broadcasting Wi-Fi signal uniformly in all directions, beamforming detects where your devices are and focuses the Wi-Fi signal directly towards them. It’s like a spotlight for your Wi-Fi.
- Benefits: This results in stronger, more stable connections, especially for devices further away from the router or those that are typically difficult to reach. It improves both range and throughput, reducing dead zones. Wi-Fi 7 further refines beamforming capabilities for even greater efficiency.

Range and Dead Zone Elimination

Given its robust hardware and advanced Wi-Fi 7 features, the GT-BE98 Pro aims to provide exceptional range and minimize dead zones in large homes.

Quad-Band Strength: The combination of 2.4 GHz for long-range and the higher frequency bands for speed means it can cover a significant area. The 2.4 GHz band, with its better wall penetration, ensures smart home devices and distant clients stay connected.
OFDMA and MU-MIMO Impact:
- OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access: This allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously using sub-channels, improving efficiency and reducing latency, especially in environments with many devices. This helps reduce congestion, which can otherwise impact range and stability.
- MU-MIMO Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output: This technology enables the router to talk to multiple devices at once rather than sequentially. While present in Wi-Fi 5 and 6, Wi-Fi 7 further enhances MU-MIMO for even greater efficiency and concurrent device handling, which directly contributes to better performance across a larger area with many connected clients.
AiMesh Compatibility: For truly massive homes or those with challenging layouts e.g., thick walls, the GT-BE98 Pro is fully compatible with Asus AiMesh.
- Seamless Whole-Home Wi-Fi: AiMesh allows you to combine multiple Asus routers into a single, seamless mesh Wi-Fi system. If you have an older Asus router lying around, you can add it to the AiMesh network to extend coverage.
- Centralized Control: The entire mesh system is managed as one network from the main router, simplifying configuration and optimization. This ensures consistent signal strength and seamless roaming throughout your entire property, eliminating dead zones entirely.

Performance in Congested Environments

Modern homes are often brimming with Wi-Fi devices, and living in apartments means dealing with your neighbors’ networks.

The GT-BE98 Pro is designed to excel in these congested environments.

6 GHz Band as an Oasis: The primary advantage is the relatively clean 6 GHz band. With fewer devices currently using it, it acts as a “digital superhighway” for your Wi-Fi 7 clients, offering minimal interference.
MLO and Adaptive Steering: MLO’s ability to switch between bands and intelligently route traffic, combined with adaptive steering which guides devices to the optimal band, helps mitigate interference and congestion.
Improved Efficiency with OFDMA/MU-MIMO: These technologies improve the efficiency of spectrum use, allowing more devices to communicate simultaneously without degrading performance for others. This is particularly beneficial in densely populated areas where multiple networks compete for airtime.

Security Features: Protecting Your Digital Fortress

It’s about providing a secure foundation for your entire digital life.

The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro comes loaded with comprehensive security features, powered by Trend Micro, to safeguard your network and connected devices.

AiProtection Pro Powered by Trend Micro

This is arguably the most significant security feature on Asus routers, offering enterprise-grade protection for your home network. Nothing Ear A Review

Commercial-Grade Security: AiProtection Pro is a suite of security features developed in partnership with Trend Micro, a leading cybersecurity firm. It provides proactive protection against online threats without requiring subscriptions for basic functionality though some advanced features might be part of ongoing Trend Micro services.
Network Vulnerability Protection: It continuously scans your router’s security settings to identify and recommend fixes for potential vulnerabilities, like weak passwords or open ports.
Malicious Site Blocking: This feature blocks access to known malicious websites, preventing you from accidentally visiting phishing sites, malware distribution sites, or other dangerous domains. The database is continuously updated by Trend Micro.
Two-Way IPS Intrusion Prevention System: This acts as a digital bouncer, detecting and blocking inbound and outbound attacks.
- Inbound Protection: Prevents external threats from penetrating your network.
- Outbound Protection: Prevents infected devices within your network from sending data to malicious servers or participating in botnets.
Infected Device Prevention and Blocking: If a device on your network becomes infected with malware, AiProtection Pro can detect this activity and block the device from communicating with external malicious servers, preventing data theft or further spread of the infection. It also alerts you to the presence of the infected device so you can take action.

This integrated suite provides a powerful layer of defense for every device connected to your network, including IoT devices that might not have their own strong security.

VPN Features: Client and Server

The GT-BE98 Pro offers versatile VPN capabilities, catering to both those who want to protect their entire network and those who need secure remote access.

VPN Client: This allows the router to connect to a VPN service.
- Network-Wide Protection: Once configured, all devices connected to the router will route their internet traffic through the VPN, providing privacy and security without needing to install VPN software on every individual device. This is ideal for smart TVs, game consoles, or other devices where VPN apps aren’t available.
- Supports Multiple Protocols: Typically supports OpenVPN, IPSec, and sometimes WireGuard, offering flexibility in choosing your VPN provider.
VPN Server: This allows you to create your own VPN server on the router.
- Secure Remote Access: You can securely access your home network resources NAS, smart home devices, files on your PC from anywhere in the world, as if you were at home.
- Encrypted Connection: All traffic between your remote device and your home network is encrypted, protecting your data from eavesdropping.

Guest Network and Parental Controls

Standard but crucial security features are also robustly implemented.

Guest Network:
- Isolation: Allows you to create separate Wi-Fi networks for guests, isolating them from your main network and sensitive devices.
- Customization: You can set bandwidth limits, access schedules, and even create a captive portal for guests.
Parental Controls:
- Content Filtering: Block access to specific categories of websites e.g., adult content, gambling, social media during school hours across selected devices.
- Time Scheduling: Set internet access schedules for individual devices, ensuring kids aren’t online past bedtime or during homework hours.
- Usage Reports: Monitor internet usage for each device, providing insights into online activity.

These features, combined with regular firmware updates from Asus that patch newly discovered vulnerabilities, ensure that the GT-BE98 Pro provides a multi-layered defense against the ever-present threats of the internet.

User Interface and Ease of Use: AsusWRT and ROG UI

Even with all its advanced features, a router’s usability can make or break the experience.

Asus has long been praised for its intuitive firmware, AsusWRT, and with the ROG Rapture series, they layer on a gamer-centric interface ROG UI that is both powerful and surprisingly easy to navigate.

AsusWRT and ROG Gaming Center

At its core, the GT-BE98 Pro runs AsusWRT, which is known for its clean layout and comprehensive feature set.

On top of this, the ROG Gaming Center provides a specialized dashboard.

Intuitive Dashboard: The ROG Gaming Center offers a quick overview of your network status, connected devices, real-time network traffic, and key gaming-related settings. It’s designed to give you instant insights into what’s happening on your network.
Drag-and-Drop Prioritization: Many AsusWRT features, including QoS, allow for easy drag-and-drop prioritization of devices or applications, making it simple to ensure your gaming PC or console always gets priority.
Mobile App Control: The Asus Router App for iOS and Android provides much of the functionality of the web interface on your smartphone.
- Remote Management: Check network status, manage connected devices, enable/disable guest networks, and even reboot the router from anywhere.
- AiMesh Setup and Management: Easily set up and manage your AiMesh system directly from the app.
- Gaming Features: Some gaming features like Game Boost and Game Radar can be accessed and configured via the app, making on-the-fly adjustments convenient.

Initial Setup and Configuration

Setting up the GT-BE98 Pro is generally straightforward, even for a feature-rich router.

Guided Setup Wizard: The router comes with a clear, step-by-step setup wizard that guides you through the initial connection to your modem, Wi-Fi network naming, and password creation.
Automatic Internet Detection: It usually automatically detects your internet connection type DHCP, PPPoE, Static IP, simplifying the process.
Clear Instructions: Asus provides clear instructions, both in the Quick Start Guide and within the web interface, for getting your network up and running quickly.

While the sheer number of options might seem daunting at first glance for a novice, the intuitive layout and logical categorization of settings make it manageable. Avast One Essential For Mac Review

For advanced users, every single setting you could possibly want to tweak is there.

Granular Control and Advanced Settings

Where the ROG Rapture truly shines for power users is the depth of its configuration options.

Advanced QoS: Beyond simple drag-and-drop, you can delve into incredibly detailed QoS settings, prioritizing specific applications, ports, or even setting bandwidth limits for individual devices.
Traffic Analyzer: Visualize your network traffic by application or device, helping you identify bandwidth hogs.
USB Applications: The router typically includes USB 3.0 ports, allowing you to connect external storage for network attached storage, file sharing, or media server, 4G/5G dongles for failover internet, or even a printer.
Comprehensive Logging: Detailed system logs help with troubleshooting and monitoring network activity.
DDNS Support: Easily set up Dynamic DNS for remote access to your home network, even if your ISP provides a dynamic IP address.
IPv6 Support: Full support for the latest internet protocol, ensuring future compatibility.

The combination of an accessible basic interface and deep, advanced controls means the GT-BE98 Pro can grow with your networking expertise, offering endless possibilities for optimization and customization.

Power Consumption and Environmental Considerations

While not always the first thing people consider when buying a high-performance router, power consumption and environmental impact are increasingly relevant.

A powerful, always-on device like a router consumes electricity 24/7, so efficiency matters.

Energy Efficiency and Heat Management

High-performance components, like those in the GT-BE98 Pro, naturally draw more power.

However, manufacturers like Asus are incorporating technologies to balance power with performance.

High-Efficiency Components: Modern chipsets and power delivery systems are designed to be more efficient, minimizing wasted energy as heat.
Intelligent Power Management: The router’s firmware likely employs intelligent power management features to optimize power draw based on network load. For example, unused ports or components might enter low-power states when not active.
Robust Cooling System: Given its powerful processor and multiple radio bands, the GT-BE98 Pro requires effective heat dissipation. It features a large heatsink and often a strategically placed fan to ensure components remain cool under heavy load, which is critical for long-term stability and performance. Efficient cooling prevents thermal throttling, which can degrade performance.

While specific power consumption figures can vary, a high-end Wi-Fi 7 router will generally consume more power than a basic Wi-Fi 5 router due to its advanced hardware and features. However, the performance gains often justify this.

Longevity and Firmware Updates

Investing in a premium router like the GT-BE98 Pro means you expect it to last.

Durable Build Quality: ROG products are generally built with high-quality components and robust construction to ensure longevity, even under continuous operation.
Regular Firmware Updates: Asus has an excellent track record of providing consistent firmware updates for their routers. These updates are crucial for:
- Security Patches: Addressing newly discovered vulnerabilities and protecting against emerging threats.
- Bug Fixes: Resolving any software issues or performance glitches.
- Feature Enhancements: Sometimes, new features or optimizations are rolled out via firmware updates, extending the life and utility of the router.
- Wi-Fi 7 Maturity: As Wi-Fi 7 standards mature and client devices become more common, firmware updates will be essential for ensuring optimal interoperability and performance.

The commitment to ongoing firmware support is a strong indicator of a manufacturer’s dedication to product longevity and customer satisfaction, making the GT-BE98 Pro a more sustainable investment. Amd Ryzen 5 8600G Review

Is the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro Right for You? The Value Proposition

Deciding whether to invest in a premium Wi-Fi 7 router like the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro comes down to your specific needs, budget, and future outlook.

It’s a significant financial commitment, but for the right user, the value it delivers is substantial.

Who is This Router For?

The GT-BE98 Pro is not for everyone, and that’s okay.

It’s specifically tailored for a demanding audience.

Hardcore Gamers: If competitive online gaming is a significant part of your life and you demand the absolute lowest latency and most stable connection possible, this router is engineered for you. The gaming-specific features like Triple-Level Game Acceleration, Game Radar, and dedicated gaming ports are direct benefits.
Tech Enthusiasts and Early Adopters: If you love having the latest technology, enjoy tinkering with advanced network settings, and want to future-proof your home network, the Wi-Fi 7 capabilities and 10 Gigabit ports will appeal greatly.
Users with Multi-Gigabit Internet Plans: If your ISP provides 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps, or even 10 Gbps internet service, this router is essential to fully utilize that bandwidth. Without it, you’re paying for speed you can’t even access.
Content Creators and Professionals: If you frequently transfer large files over your network e.g., to a NAS, stream high-bitrate video, or work with large datasets, the 10 Gigabit wired ports and high-throughput Wi-Fi 7 will significantly improve your workflow efficiency.
Smart Home Power Users with Many Devices: As smart homes grow, the sheer number of connected devices can bog down older networks. The GT-BE98 Pro’s capacity, efficiency OFDMA, MU-MIMO, and quad-band design can handle hundreds of devices without breaking a sweat, ensuring smooth operation for every smart light, camera, and sensor.
Households with Heavy Network Traffic: If you have multiple users simultaneously gaming, streaming 4K/8K content, video conferencing, and downloading large files, this router can handle the concurrent demands without significant performance degradation.

Weighing the Cost vs. Benefits

The price tag of the GT-BE98 Pro is undeniably premium. So, is it worth it?

Future-Proofing: Investing in Wi-Fi 7 now ensures your network is ready for the next decade of technology advancements. As more Wi-Fi 7 client devices hit the market laptops, smartphones, VR headsets, you’ll be able to immediately take advantage of their full capabilities.
Peak Performance: For users who genuinely need the highest possible speeds, lowest latency, and most reliable connection, the GT-BE98 Pro delivers. The performance difference over older Wi-Fi standards is tangible, especially in demanding scenarios.
Comprehensive Feature Set: Beyond just Wi-Fi 7, you’re paying for top-tier security, advanced parental controls, extensive QoS, and a robust management interface, all of which contribute to a superior network experience.
Longevity and Support: Asus’s track record of regular firmware updates and robust build quality means this router is likely to remain a high-performing cornerstone of your network for many years.

The Bottom Line: If you fit into one of the “who is this router for” categories, and your budget allows, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro offers a compelling value proposition. It’s an investment in a future-proof, high-performance network that delivers a truly exceptional experience for the most demanding users. If you’re a casual internet user or have a smaller home with basic needs, a less expensive Wi-Fi 6E router might suffice. But for those pushing the boundaries of home connectivity, this router is a genuine game-changer.

Final Thoughts on Design and Aesthetics

Lastly, let’s not overlook the design.

The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro, like many ROG products, has a distinct, aggressive aesthetic.

Gamer-Centric Design: It features sharp angles, customizable RGB lighting Asus Aura Sync, and a prominent ROG logo. This design perfectly fits into a gaming setup and clearly signals its purpose.
Functionality Meets Form: While the design is bold, it’s also functional. The large vents and external antennas are crucial for performance and heat dissipation.
Placement Consideration: Given its size and striking appearance, you might want to consider its placement. It’s not designed to blend discreetly into the background like some minimalist routers. it’s meant to be seen and admired by its target audience.

For those who appreciate the ROG aesthetic and want their tech to look as powerful as it performs, the GT-BE98 Pro certainly delivers on that front.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro?

The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is a flagship quad-band Wi-Fi 7 802.11be gaming router designed for ultra-fast speeds, extremely low latency, and comprehensive network control. Avast One Silver Review

What is Wi-Fi 7 and how is it different from Wi-Fi 6E?

Wi-Fi 7 802.11be is the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering significant improvements over Wi-Fi 6E, including higher theoretical speeds up to 46 Gbps, lower latency, Multi-Link Operation MLO, 4096-QAM, and wider 320 MHz channels.

Wi-Fi 6E primarily introduced the 6 GHz band, but Wi-Fi 7 fully leverages it with these new enhancements.

Does the GT-BE98 Pro support the 6 GHz band?

Yes, the GT-BE98 Pro is a quad-band router and fully supports the 6 GHz band, which provides a clean, uncongested spectrum for Wi-Fi 7 devices.

What is Multi-Link Operation MLO and why is it important?

MLO allows Wi-Fi 7 devices to simultaneously transmit and receive data across multiple frequency bands e.g., 5 GHz and 6 GHz. This is crucial for increasing throughput, reducing latency, and enhancing connection reliability by dynamically shifting traffic.

What wired ports does the GT-BE98 Pro have?

The GT-BE98 Pro typically features two 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports one WAN/LAN and one LAN and four 2.5 Gigabit LAN ports, supporting ultra-high-speed wired connections.

Is the GT-BE98 Pro good for gaming?

Yes, it is excellent for gaming.

It includes dedicated gaming features like Triple-Level Game Acceleration, Game Radar, Open NAT, and a dedicated gaming port, all designed to minimize latency and prioritize gaming traffic.

What is Triple-Level Game Acceleration?

Triple-Level Game Acceleration optimizes gaming traffic from your device Game First V, through your router Game Boost/Adaptive QoS, and to the game server Gamers Private Network via WTFast, ensuring the lowest possible latency.

Does this router support mesh Wi-Fi?

Yes, the GT-BE98 Pro is compatible with Asus AiMesh, allowing you to combine multiple Asus routers to create a seamless whole-home mesh Wi-Fi system for extended coverage.

What security features does the GT-BE98 Pro offer?

It includes AiProtection Pro, powered by Trend Micro, which provides commercial-grade network security, including malicious site blocking, two-way IPS, and infected device prevention. Nikon Nikkor Z 135Mm F18 S Plena Review

It also supports VPN client and server functionalities.

Can I set up parental controls on the GT-BE98 Pro?

Yes, it offers robust parental controls, allowing you to filter content, set internet access schedules, and monitor usage for connected devices.

Is the GT-BE98 Pro easy to set up?

Yes, it comes with an intuitive web-based setup wizard and a user-friendly ROG Gaming Center interface, making initial setup and ongoing management relatively straightforward.

Does the router have a mobile app for management?

Yes, the Asus Router App for iOS and Android allows you to manage many router settings, monitor network status, and control gaming features from your smartphone.

Does the GT-BE98 Pro support USB devices?

Yes, it typically includes USB 3.0 ports, allowing you to connect external storage for network sharing NAS, 4G/5G dongles for internet failover, or even printers.

How many devices can the GT-BE98 Pro handle?

With Wi-Fi 7 technologies like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, and its quad-band design, the GT-BE98 Pro is engineered to handle a very large number of connected devices hundreds simultaneously with high efficiency.

Will I benefit from this router if I don’t have Wi-Fi 7 devices?

You will still benefit from the 10 Gigabit wired ports, advanced gaming features, robust security, and improved performance for Wi-Fi 6/6E devices, but you won’t experience the full potential of Wi-Fi 7 until you have compatible client devices.

Is this router future-proof?

Yes, by adopting Wi-Fi 7 and offering 10 Gigabit wired connectivity, the GT-BE98 Pro is designed to be highly future-proof, ready for the next generation of internet speeds and devices.

What is 4096-QAM?

4096-QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation is a more efficient modulation scheme used in Wi-Fi 7 that allows the router to pack more data into each signal, leading to higher theoretical speeds.

Does the GT-BE98 Pro have customizable RGB lighting?

Yes, as an ROG product, it typically features customizable RGB lighting Asus Aura Sync that can be integrated with other Aura-compatible devices. Original Prusa Mk4 Review

What is the advantage of having two 5 GHz bands?

Having two 5 GHz bands increases the overall capacity and flexibility of the network.

It allows for better load balancing and reduces congestion, as devices can be spread across two high-speed bands in addition to the 6 GHz band.

Can I connect a VPN service directly to the router?

Yes, the GT-BE98 Pro supports VPN client functionality, allowing the router itself to connect to a VPN service, protecting all connected devices network-wide.

Does it have a dedicated gaming port?

Yes, it often includes a dedicated 2.5G or 10G LAN port that automatically prioritizes traffic from connected gaming devices.

What processor does the GT-BE98 Pro use?

It typically uses a powerful quad-core processor often clocked at 2.6 GHz to handle the complex computations required for Wi-Fi 7, multi-gigabit traffic, and advanced features.

How often does Asus release firmware updates for their routers?

Asus has a good track record of providing regular firmware updates, which include security patches, bug fixes, and feature enhancements.

Is the GT-BE98 Pro suitable for large homes?

Yes, its powerful antennas, advanced Wi-Fi 7 technologies, and AiMesh compatibility make it very suitable for large homes, helping to eliminate dead zones.

Does the router offer a guest network feature?

Yes, you can create isolated guest Wi-Fi networks with customizable settings to provide secure internet access for visitors.

What kind of warranty does the GT-BE98 Pro usually come with?

Warranty periods can vary by region, but Asus typically offers a 1 or 3-year limited warranty on their networking products.

It’s always best to check with your retailer or Asus’s official website. Shure Mv7 Plus Review

Can I prioritize specific devices or applications on the network?

Yes, through Adaptive QoS and manual QoS settings, you can prioritize specific devices like your gaming PC or applications like online gaming or streaming to ensure they receive preferential bandwidth.

Does the GT-BE98 Pro support OFDMA and MU-MIMO?

Yes, as a Wi-Fi 7 router, it fully leverages both OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access and MU-MIMO Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output for improved network efficiency and handling of multiple concurrent devices.

Is it compatible with older Wi-Fi devices Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6?

Yes, it is fully backward compatible with older Wi-Fi standards 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, meaning all your current devices will connect without issues.

What is the primary benefit of the 6 GHz band in this router?

The primary benefit of the 6 GHz band is its vast, uncongested spectrum, which provides significantly more bandwidth and less interference, making it ideal for the highest-speed Wi-Fi 7 connections.

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