ASUS says its ROG Rapture GT-BN98 gaming router is now shipping, combining quad-band WiFi 8 with bandwidth of up to 25,000Mbps and tools for managing busy home networks. Its wired connections include four 2.5G ports alongside two 10G ports, though the announcement gives no price. ASUS says the port configuration supports demanding applications and more advanced network setups.
The shipping news follows ASUS's September 4 announcement that the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 was already available in Canadian retail stores. That earlier launch preceded a worldwide release planned for October, placing Canada's availability ahead of the broader rollout.
ASUS describes WiFi 8 as emphasizing connection reliability, with improvements aimed at devices farther from the router and homes running multiple devices. The company says the technology reduces abrupt drops in speed and makes performance more consistent as signal conditions change. It also claims broader coverage for IoT devices and better throughput at medium and longer distances.
Adaptive QoE adjusts how bandwidth is distributed as application needs and network conditions change. ASUS contrasts that approach with traditional Quality of Service, which uses fixed rules rather than continuously adapting its allocations. The company says this allows games to remain responsive while streaming, downloads and other background activity compete for network capacity.
WiFi Insight operates through the router's web interface, scanning every band for interference from WiFi signals and other sources. Users get visual reports about network health, with features including event tracking over 24 hours and channel changes in real time. ASUS says the tool automates interference detection and optimization to help users find and address sources of connection problems.
The web interface also integrates GTNet, a third-party service that evaluates network conditions and changes the route traffic takes to game servers. It prioritizes lower latency over distance, using congestion and latency measurements to choose a path. ASUS says the service can reduce lag spikes and improve connection stability during gaming.
ASUS also describes AiProtection as providing ongoing network security for connected devices. Its protections include filtering malicious websites and blocking infected devices, along with controls that block ads and trackers. The company says these defenses operate at the network level and provide protection in real time.
