Razer has announced their are entering the wireless router biz focusing on gamers. Their first router is called the Sila.
The new Sila is a tri-band 802.11ac router billed as an AC3000 model – that is due to the following specs:
- 802.11n 2.4GHz: up to 400 Mbps
- 802.11ac 5GHz-1: up to 1,733 Mbps
- 802.11ac 5GHz-2: up to 866 Mbps
Add all those theoretical speeds aare why it is gets the AC3000 designation.
Sila supports Mesh networking which has been a rare option in the consumer net gear. Razer says users can combine two Sila units for fast Wi-Fi coverage across areas up to 6,000 square feet in a single story dwelling, or three Sila units for the same type of coverage in a multi-story home.
The mesh support is why the router has support for two 5GHz bands. One of those bands is a dedicated backhaul. Mesh networking is different from using range extenders, which are typically more difficult to configure while also being much slower networks.
We haven’t tested Razer’s router, so we have nothign to say about their proprietary “FastTrack” QoS engine when it comes to prioritize gaming packets.
“By using deep packet inspection and adaptive learning technology, Razer FasTrack allows users to prioritize traffic based on application and device types, from mobile phones and smart TVs through to laptops, PCs or consoles. With built-in detection for PlayStation, Xbox and Switch consoles, users can easily fine tune their networks for the smoothest gaming or streaming experiences. Razer FasTrack also features a one-touch gaming mode, to automatically reserve bandwidth for online gaming,” Razer explains.
Razer also touts a patented “Multi-Channel Zero-Wait DFS” technology that is supposed to enable clean Wi-Fi channels to avoid congested network traffic.
As with most routers, the Sila features a built-in switch for wired connections, though it only has three LAN ports (and a WAN port) instead of four. It also has a USB 2.0 port and a USB 3.0 port for connecting external devices, such as printers and storage devices.
The Sila will be available starting October 3 for $249.99 (€299.99 / AU$439.95)
