Stay ahead of the competition with the Linksys WRT32X Gaming Router

With more users, devices, and services tapping onto our home network, it’s no longer a question of how fast but how optimized one’s connection is. While consumers already have options when it comes to shaping and prioritizing traffic, none have approached the situation with a gaming-first angle in mind. Until now, that is.

Enter the Linksys WRT32X Wi-Fi Gaming Router, a dual-band AC3200 system outfitted with MU-MIMO for comprehensive multi-device service, and dynamic frequency selection (DFS) for finding and operating in the clearest channel. Built using enterprise-grade hardware, upgrading users will already see connectivity and range improvements from most regular routers as-is, but what elevates this high-end model above the competition is its custom integration of Rivet Network’s Killer Prioritization Engine (KPE) software.

Getting killer speeds

PC gamers will have no doubt heard, come across, or even used Killer’s take on quality-of-service optimization before, since Rivet has partnered with an increasing number of hardware manufacturers such as Alienware, Gigagbyte, MSI, and Razer. Look through those companies’ pamphlets and one will easily find sections highlighting Killer’s promises of a faster and more responsive online gaming performance.

However, PC-side KPE can only do so much with the bandwidth allocated to it in the first place. Today’s homes are filled with smart TVs, smartphones, and computers all competing on the same network, bogging it down with heavy requests such as 4K streaming, downloads, and more.

The Linksys WRT32X ensures that gaming packets are prioritized on the router’s end as well. With the two combined, users can always expect to get the lowest ping in their games regardless of how heavy and congested the network load already is; this Killer combo provides up to 77% peak ping reduction, guaranteeing smooth and snappy online performance.

In other words, one may freely game without worrying about the number of family members at home, regardless of how many simultaneous streams from Netflix or YouTube there are. The Linksys WRT32X guarantees that gamers always get a low ping for that winning edge.

Online games draw the largest crowds and will continue to do so, whether its tried-and-true esports titles such as Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: GO, or overwhelmingly popular shooters such as Overwatch and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. One may have the hardware and skills to tackle them, but without an equally responsive network, the difference between life or death is but a few milliseconds away – we all know how close of a shave those games can be.

Hardware that lasts

Linksys knows they are braving new territory here, so to build trust they’ve spared no expense in getting discerning hardcore gamers the hardware they deserve. The all-black WRT32X adopts the same design as the residential model WRT1900AC, yet peek under the hood and one can find components built for the demands of enterprise use – reliable and 24/7 operation no matter the load.

Whether it’s an esports professional getting his daily training session in, an online streamer keeping to her peak-hour schedule, or a regular player simply wanting to kick back after a long day at work or school, the Linksys WRT32X is ready to keep up with gaming’s many demands. Get smooth, consistent performance out of the home network just as well on Day 365 as on Day 1.

There’s a pro-grade Gigabit Ethernet switch on there, too, so one may directly connect four PCs, consoles, and other online-capable devices to ensure the best performance between them. Therefore, hosting an impromptu LAN party or transferring large files (such as recorded gameplay) between the gaming PC, capture device, and connected storage are all just as feasible. The WRT32X can easily manage all that thanks to its dual core 1.8GHz processor, 256MB flash memory, and 512MB of DDR3.

Built just for gamers

Integrating Rivet Networks’ Killer Prioritization Engine was just the first step in tailoring the WRT32X to gamers. Linksys have also designed a custom user interface, built from scratch, so that one will always find the settings and reports that are most relevant to the hobby, with changes only a few quick clicks away.

A slick dashboard conveys all necessary information at a glance. There is a report for network traffic (real-time), measured bandwidth, and connected devices. Most graphical user interfaces require the user to navigate to a separate page for some of these information, much less presented in an easily-digested format.

Diving into the settings, one will find the WRT32X’s ability to rank non-Killer-enabled devices. These can be gaming consoles, the living room TV, or perhaps even work-only computers, all of which can be easily prioritized through a drag-and-drop interface. Thanks to the close integration with Rivet Networks, the router will also show up in the Killer Control Center application of one’s PC, allowing quick access to simple options such as a KPE toggle or setting bandwidth limits.

Don’t have a clue where to start? Well, don’t worry: the WRT32X comes with an interactive and built-in speed test tool, which can then automatically set bandwidth priorities for the network. Linksys have made the set-up process incredibly simple, so gamers can jump into action as soon as possible. What’s more, conducting a speed test directly on the router removes any extra variables stemming from the PC.

We’re also shown just how many Killer-enabled devices there are on the network, reflected with a custom K-shaped logo. With this, users can quickly identify their gaming computers for troubleshooting or any further customization.

Make the most of what you paid for

At the end of the day, it’s all about getting the speeds promised by one’s fibre broadband plan, especially if it’s one of the few in Singapore marketed towards gamers. There’s nothing more frustrating than being held back by a slow or unreliable network, more so when solutions turn out to be unfeasibly complex. The match-winning combo of a WRT32X router and Killer-enabled PC eliminates that final kink in one’s gaming hardware, turning lag and ping spikes into troubles of the past.

The Linksys WRT32X will be available starting 1 December at a recommended retail price of $449.