Netgear Announces Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 WiFi Router

[btarunr]

NETGEAR , Inc. today debuted during IFA 2018 tradeshow its latest member of the Nighthawk Pro Gaming product family, the Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 WiFi Router, the industry's fastest home router for gaming. In addition to its award-winning DumaOS for greater network control over who and how you play, the NPG XR700 router sports cutting-edge hardware with its AD7200 Quad Stream Wave2 WiFi. Whether you're an avid or a casual gamer, the NPG XR700 router will deliver the control you need to dominate opponents in online multi-player scenarios.

Similar to the rest of the award-winning Nighthawk Pro Gaming family, the groundbreaking NPG XR700 router is purpose-built and fine-tuned to address the unique networking challenges of gamers. It optimizes network connections by stabilizing ping, reducing lag spikes, and keeping you always-on with the fastest wired and wireless connectivity for advanced online game play. The XR700 leverages exclusive state-of-the-art gaming software powered by DumaOS for critical pro gaming capabilities such as an intuitive and interactive Gaming Dashboard, a Geo Filter to guarantee local game hosts, and Quality of Service (QoS) to control and eliminate lag. This rich set of software features enables customization and gaming performance unmatched in the router space.



The NPG XR700 combines advanced gaming software with best-in-class, high-performance hardware that avid gamers expect of the Nighthawk Pro Gaming brand, such as a powerful 1.7GHz quad-core processor, quad-stream WiFi with MU-MIMO, the fastest 60GHz 802.11ad WiFi technology, and four external high-power active antennas. With a single 10G SFP+ port and additional 7 Gigabit ports, the XR700 is ideally designed for streamers, videophiles with networked storage, and those who depend on hard-wired gaming hardware.

Using a compatible SFP+ module such as NETGEAR AXM765, gamers can run a 10G connection from the NPG XR700 to a 10GBASE-T capable PC and experience one tenth the latency in downstream of a 1G connection, eliminating any bottleneck to reach breakneck speed. Couple the Nighthawk Pro Gaming SX10 10G LAN Switch with its (2) 10G multi-gig ports with the XR700, to extend the number of available ports and provide the perfect setup for the ultimate in LAN gaming and swift transfers of large data like 4k video. The XR700 is designed to enhance online gameplay, providing players with an optimized network environment to deliver top performance and dominate over the competition.

"When you make the Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 WiFi Router the bedrock of your gaming rig, you can be confident that your network will not lag," said David Henry, senior vice president of Connected Home for NETGEAR. "With gamer-focused customization options, seven Gigabit Ethernet ports, an available 10G port, a 1.7GHz quad-core processor and Plex Media Server, you have the best possible media streaming and gameplay on whatever platform you are playing with Xbox, Playstation, PC or mobile devices. NPG puts you in command to overcome ping and latency."

The Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 router offers an abundance of features using the latest and most innovative technologies specifically designed to enhance your gaming experience regardless of platform - from console to PC to mobile. Take advantage of the capabilities of the NPG XR700 router so that you and your teammates can enjoy frustration-free online and network gaming at the industry's fastest speeds, all at the same time, without a hitch in performance.

DumaOS Features:

• Gaming Dashboard - View real-time bandwidth utilization by device, ping, and many other parameters including your favourite features
• Geo Filter - Control lag by limiting distance to game servers or other players, get a guaranteed local connection, and create black/white lists of your preferred servers
• Quality of Service (QoS) - Prioritize and allocate bandwidth by gaming device, even controlling maximum upload/download speeds to minimize sudden lag spikes
• Network Monitor - Check on bandwidth-hogging devices and identify the applications which could be causing lag

Hardware Features of the XR700 Router:

• AD7200 Quad Stream Wave2 WiFi - Enjoy Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) for simultaneous streaming at the fastest speeds up to AD7200*, and stream 4K UHD videos in pristine quality up to Gigabit WiFi speeds for mobile devices with 160MHz
• 10 Gigabit LAN SFP+ Port - Faster access to Network Attached Storage (NAS) for lightning-fast backup and streaming or connect to the Nighthawk Pro Gaming SX10 Multi-Gig Ethernet Switch for lower-latency LAN game parties
• 7 Gigabit Ethernet Ports (6 LAN + 1 WAN) - Aggregate two ports when connecting to a compatible switch to get even more wired ports for gaming LAN parties
• Powerful 1.7GHz Quad Core Processor - Support more devices with the fastest processor for a home router for better 4K UHD streaming, VR gaming, and more
• 60GHz 802.11ad WiFi - Benefit from the fastest WiFi technology for instant downloads and backup
• Built-in Plex Media Server - Enjoy your movie, TV show, music, video, and photo collections anywhere you go, on the devices you love
• Additional DFS Channels - Enjoy 15 more channels in 5GHz for an interference-free gaming experience
• High-Performance Active Antennas - Get better WiFi coverage and faster speeds throughout your home with four (4) external antennas
• Two USB 3.0 Ports and ReadyCLOUD USB Access-Get faster streaming and backup to stored media, and secure cloud access to USB storage
• VPN Server - Enjoy secure access to your home network and Internet using any device.
• Security Updates - Get the latest firmware updates to your router automatically
• Automatic Cloud and USB Drive Backup: Back up to the cloud or use free ReadySHARE Vault software to back up your PC to a connected USB hard drive

NETGEAR has thoughtfully designed the edgy, futuristic black enclosure of the XR700 Router with your home environment in mind. It has an on/off switch so you can douse the LED lights when you want total darkness. It also has wall anchors on its back for flexible, space-saving wall placement.

Pricing and Availability
The Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR700 WiFi Router from NETGEAR will be available worldwide next month through authorized NETGEAR partners and other reseller channels, ecommerce sites, and major retailers, at an MSRP of $499.99 (USD), £449 (GBP) and €499 (EUR), $849 (AUD).

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[hat]

Looks good, but holy crap $500?

 

[TheLostSwede]

Looks good, but holy crap $500?

Plus $250 for the SFP+ adapter to use it with their gaming switch at 10 Gbps...
Talk about schizophrenic company that doesn't even seem to know what ports to use as their 10 Gbps standard.
Also, why world anyone want 802.11ad in a router? It's single room range. Does Netgear even offer a PC adapter for the standard?

 

[randomUser]

Not worth the money.

 

[Kursah]

For that kind of money I'd go with a PFSense or OPNSense build and a Ubiquity UniFi AC Pro AP. That or if WiFi was even more of a priority with a lotta connected devices, one could go with a Ubiquity EdgeRouter X or Lite for cheap and then get an overkill AP like the UniFi AC HD.

Though I must admit, for a home-grade gaming router, having a faster quad core is nice and sounds like some decent features and some questionable ones. Frankly I'd go for either what I listed above or business-grade gear, but working in the industry that's easier for me to say and deal with.

Not sure home grade routers really make sense at this price point for anyone really, but then again it could be a badass router for those willing to cough up the price if it truly performs well, reliably and is stable. I'm kinda hesitant with Netgear stuff, and more-so at that price. It's not the worst, but it surely is not anywhere close to the best IMHO.

 

[kastriot]

Besides 500$ don't forget you get free 4x radiation through your body

 

[TheLostSwede]

Not sure home grade routers really make sense at this price point for anyone really, but then again it could be a badass router for those willing to cough up the price if it truly performs well, reliably and is stable. I'm kinda hesitant with Netgear stuff, and more-so at that price. It's not the worst, but it surely is not anywhere close to the best IMHO.

The problem that I've found with Netgear is that their cheap stuff is just that, cheap stuff and performs just like cheap stuff. On the other hand, I picked up a R7800 a couple of years ago and it's been rock solid, it's getting regular firmware updates and the Wi-Fi range is really good. This, I wouldn't buy though.

 

[StrayKAT]

Heh.. I have only one of the USB Wifi things from Netgear (a Nighthawk like this router). I guess all of these are cheap no matter the brand

One thing I think all of these brands suck at is their software. It's always some oldschool crap that looks like it came from Windows 3.1.

 

[piloponth]

I don't get it - what good is a single 10GbE port for? Like router has a 10Gbit connection to one device. Great, what about other devices in the local network?

Just give us a 10GbE switch already!

 

[Ubersonic]

£450 for a router that requires a seperate ADSL/VDSL modem? hahaha nope

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

The biggest thing I dont like besides the price is the auto-update feature, that would have to turned off.

 

[bonehead123]

of course "pro" + "gaming" = big $$.....

but OTOH, glad to see 10G ports finally starting to see the light of day in the consumer space, hopefully this trend will continue, and the prices of such hardware can eventually drop down to where most common folk can afford it

 

[dirtyferret]

I was sure if I should go with the Night Hawk or Night Hawk Gaming router for performance but know there is a Night Hawk Pro Gaming router and I know that will definitely make my internet go faster!

Besides 500$ don't forget you get free 4x radiation through your body

FCC governs how much power they can use.
https://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wir...s/32431-is-your-routers-transmit-power-juiced

 

[AnarchoPrimitiv]

FIRST, anyone that considers themselves a "pro gamer" or is really serious about their network and its bandwidth is always going to use hardline and would never use wireless.

Second, I'd like to take a moment and brag about the fact that I'm having my Gigabit (980Mbps down/940Mbps up) internet service installed on Wednesday and it's only $70/month, so it's nice to know my 10GBase-T home network is going to get an internet connection worthy of its bandwidth.

Third, to the person that asked, a single 10Gbit port is predominantly used for connecting a NAS

Lastly, The 10Gbit port should be 10GBase-T, not SFP+....I have a 10GBase-T home network, and that's, for all intents and purposes, the only option available to a non-commercial, residential application...you can't wire your house with DAC (it's literally impossible to run that through your walls) and who wants to deal with fiber when CAT6a is so much easier and cheaper (there's no such thing as CAT6e despite energy offering it as a category, for example)...the argument that SFP+ hardware is cheaper hasn't been true in years, and now that there are several options for $100 10GBase-T NICs it's not like you have to buy an Intel X550-T1 for $300+ like you previously had to (though I have an X550-T2 in my NAS/server for aggregation)...and I don't want to hear anyone talk about latency...it's not like anyone here, or in a residential setting is doing thousands of automated stock trades per second or any other application that would be affected.

 

[TheLostSwede]

£450 for a router that requires a seperate ADSL/VDSL modem? hahaha nope

If you're still stuck on xDSL, this is not for you.

 

[piloponth]

Third, to the person that asked, a single 10Gbit port is predominantly used for connecting a NAS.

I understand that. But how this setup delivers 10G connection of NAS to my computer? I don't care if router is connected via super-speed link to NAS. Router is just stupid box. I need my NAS to be connected via super-10G-speed to other devices (computers, notebook, other harddrive box).

Thats why I don't get the presence of single 10G port. I want to see 10G switch (those other ports on the back of the router) in consumer router.

 

[Divide Overflow]

But how many GigaRays does it do at that price?

 

[remixedcat]

At 500 You can do way better. Ubiquiti stuff has been great. You can get enough to cover a 3K Sqft house easy for that and have even coverage. Best to get several APs.

Also the lack of adapters for these hyped standards is another thing. Slim pickins if at all. wating for phones and tablets to have it you grow grey.

 

[NTM2003]

I use my hotspot for online gaming and about 8 hrs a day it only using 1-2gbs even less and I got 20gb hotspot data at up to 60mbs on a good day don't need my home internet but just to download games at 2.5mbs lol

 

[Fx]

For that kind of money I'd go with a PFSense or OPNSense build and a Ubiquity UniFi AC Pro AP. That or if WiFi was even more of a priority with a lotta connected devices, one could go with a Ubiquity EdgeRouter X or Lite for cheap and then get an overkill AP like the UniFi AC HD.

Though I must admit, for a home-grade gaming router, having a faster quad core is nice and sounds like some decent features and some questionable ones. Frankly I'd go for either what I listed above or business-grade gear, but working in the industry that's easier for me to say and deal with.

Not sure home grade routers really make sense at this price point for anyone really, but then again it could be a badass router for those willing to cough up the price if it truly performs well, reliably and is stable. I'm kinda hesitant with Netgear stuff, and more-so at that price. It's not the worst, but it surely is not anywhere close to the best IMHO.

Aye. My thoughts as well. I can justifying paying $200ish for a 'gaming grade' router, but this is getting ridiculous especially when you can configure similar/better performance solutions with other gear.

 

[skates]

You can get an IQ router for $150 if you want to reduce buffer bloat and optimize your connection. I have one and it works pretty well. My DSLreports speed test gives me an A+ for buffer bloat, which is important for gaming. However, it only addresses up to 300mbs, so if you have a gig connection, it won't work. I pair this wifi with a Motorola MB8600 DOCSIS3.1 modem which has a Broadcom chipset for good performance.

https://www.amazon.com/IQrouter-Self-Optimizing-router-improved-quality/dp/B06WP5GTS8

 

[Ubersonic]

If you're still stuck on xDSL, this is not for you.

Pretty much everybody is "still stuck on xDSL" most people don't need an internet connection faster than 300Mbit.