MSI RadiX AX6600 full review

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MSI has set its sights on the high-performance gaming router market with the release of the MSI RadiX AX6600, along with two other models – the AX1800 and the AXE6600 with Wi-Fi 6E. It was only a matter of time before the Taiwanese brand ventured into the router market, and we were eager to put the intermediate model with tri-band capacity in 2.4 GHz and dual 5 GHz networks, 2×2 and 4×4 for current and future clients, to the test.

The MSI RadiX AX6600 maintains the brand’s essence with an impressive aesthetic and powerful internal hardware. Its 4-core CPU and dedicated chips for each Wi-Fi connection are well-cooled and its operating system is very clear and intuitive. We will see if it lives up to its promises!

Design features of the MSI RadiX AX6600

The Taiwanese brand has once again demonstrated its ability to create aggressive designs with the MSI RadiX AX6600. It bears a striking resemblance to a Lamborghini hood transformed into a router. The MSI logo and its placement are reminiscent of the supercars of the Italian brand. This router is a fairly large device, measuring 34 cm wide, 20 cm deep, and 25 cm high with the antennas extended.

We find the plastic cover at the front and the aggressive side cutting lines make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing routers. The two separate fin-shaped side zones have a passive cooling function that allows air to flow out by natural convection. The front features more grids at the edge, where the same process is carried out.

At the top of the MSI RadiX AX6600, there is a black band that runs across its entire width, which is where the status LEDs and buttons are located. These include a button for turning off the LEDs and leaving the router in night mode, a button for manually turning off Wi-Fi, WPS, and status LEDs for Internet, RJ45 ports, and power. The status LEDs light up in white when everything is functioning correctly but will turn red when there is a problem.

The MSI RadiX AX6600 boasts six deployable antennas that offer complete freedom of rotation and position adjustment, significantly expanding the router’s range. These antennas have a dynamic design and are entirely black. The MSI RadiX AXE6600 goes one step further by integrating RGB lighting in each of the antennas, as well as in the logo itself.

The bottom area of the MSI RadiX AX6600 is predominantly occupied by a honeycomb-shaped grid that allows air to enter to cool the hardware. Two brackets are present for mounting the router on the wall using screws or anchors. In the upper area, the most relevant information is the default administrator credentials that users will need to access the router for the first time.

Ports and connectivity

The MSI RadiX AX6600 router offers a range of ports at the back, including a Power DC-In jack, Power button, USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A, RJ45 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, RJ45 1 Gbps WAN/LAN, 3x RJ45 1 Gbps LAN, and Reset button. While there is no mention from either MSI or the system regarding the possibility of Link Aggregation on the LAN ports, it still provides an interface that exceeds one Gigabit per second, which is sufficient for testing the bandwidth of the most potent Wi-Fi 6 connection.

Features of the MSI RadiX AX6600 router

The MSI RadiX AX6600 router is designed to distribute hardware in a way that permits it to operate with distinct wireless frequencies individually, resulting in the highest possible performance. As of the time of analysis, only basic information is available, according to the manufacturer, it contains a primary 4-core CPU operating at 1.8 GHz, which manages the operating system and LAN connections, and three dedicated chips for each wireless connection. Additionally, it has 512 MB of DDR4 RAM and 256 MB of flash storage for the operating system. The primary chips are passively cooled with aluminum blocks and copper heat pipes.

Types of connections

The MSI RadiX AX6600 router offers various connections, each with its own characteristics:

The Wi-Fi 6 2.4 GHz band supports 2×2 connections with a maximum of 574 Mbps, using 40 MHz channels.
The Wi-Fi 6 5 GHz – 1 band works at a maximum of 1201 Mbps through 80 MHz channels in a 2×2 configuration.
The Wi-Fi 6 5 GHz – 2 band offers the highest performance, reaching a maximum of 4804 Mbps with 160 MHz 4×4 channels. However, it can support a maximum of 2402 Mbps in a 2×2 configuration, making it ideal for gaming.

This router supports a range of technologies such as MU-MIMO, OFDMA, Bss Color, 1024-QAM frames, and Beamforming. It also has a Smart Connect function and Wi-Fi configuration for guests, and the three bands can operate independently. The router also features an AI QoS mode that prioritizes connections based on usage, ensuring that demanding links such as gaming are given priority. Additionally, it offers server or client VPN configuration with OpenVPN and shared file services with FTP, Samba, and DLNA through the rear USB port.

Firmware and configuration

The MSI RadiX AX6600 router comes with a well-designed operating system that provides a vast range of configuration options. The interface is intuitive and similar in style to the MSI Center. Users can manage the router using the traditional web interface, MSI Router App, or MSI Center, making it easy to customize the router according to their preferences.

To begin configuring the MSI RadiX AX6600 router, users must access the web interface using the IP address 192.168.10.1. During the initial configuration, users must connect the internet to the 2.5 Gbps port and the PC to one of the normal ports, as the router assigns these interfaces by default.

After accessing the web interface with the admin user and the password provided on the label under the router, users must assign a new password for future accesses. Next, users must follow two steps: assign the WAN configuration mode and possible manual configuration, as well as configuring the three available network interfaces, either separately or all together under a single SSID.

Final thoughts and conclusion about the MSI RadiX AX6600

While there are still a few areas for improvement, MSI’s entry into the router market is overall quite positive. The router performs well in terms of maximum bandwidth, operating system management, and appearance. In particular, the 2 Gbps on 5 GHz are impressive and approach the theoretical maximum.

The operating system configuration is straightforward yet offers a wide range of options such as AI QoS, VPN, and advanced Wi-Fi configuration. While it may not reach the level of Asus, it is suitable for normal to advanced users. The router features a 2.5 Gbps port and hardware that manages the three bands individually.

There are a few minor issues that could be improved, such as coverage, which may not be a strong point in this first version. However, with firmware optimization, the six antennas may provide more gain. Additionally, the Samba feature did not work, potentially due to a firmware bug or missed configuration. Lastly, the option of Wi-Fi Mesh with other MSI routers is missing, but it may be added in future MSI routers.