ASUS has opened UK pre-orders for the ROG Rapture GT-BN98, its first gaming router built around Wi-Fi 8 technology. With quad-band wireless networking, multiple high-speed Ethernet ports and a claimed combined throughput of up to 25,000 Mbps, the new router is aimed squarely at high-end users who want to prepare for the next generation of wireless networking.
The GT-BN98 uses four wireless bands: one 2.4GHz band, two 5GHz bands, and a 6GHz band. The system is paired with eight antennas and is designed to prioritize connection stability and consistent performance rather than simply chasing higher peak speeds.
Wi-Fi 8 Takes a Different Approach
Unlike recent Wi-Fi generations that largely focused on increasing maximum throughput, Wi-Fi 8 is designed with reliability and coverage in mind.
The emerging standard introduces technologies such as Distributed Resource Units (DRUs) and Enhanced Long Range (ELR), which are intended to improve wireless performance over greater distances. Unequal Modulation (UEQM) is also designed to help multiple devices maintain efficient connections without one data stream unnecessarily affecting another.
Another major feature is improved coordination between multiple access points. Mesh nodes and repeaters can work together more effectively to reduce interference when their wireless coverage overlaps.
For users with large homes or networks packed with connected devices, the goal is more consistent performance rather than simply higher headline speeds.
ASUS is also targeting gamers with the GT-BN98’s AI Game Boost technology. The company claims intelligent end-to-end routing can reduce latency by as much as 34 percent under suitable conditions.
The router’s hardware is equally focused on high-bandwidth networking. It includes two 10Gb Ethernet ports, four 2.5Gb ports and a 1Gb Ethernet port. One 10Gb port and one 2.5Gb port can be configured for either WAN or LAN use.
The system supports Multi-WAN configurations and can combine its two 10Gb Ethernet connections for up to 20Gbps of link aggregation.
ASUS has also included features aimed at managing larger home networks, including dedicated IoT networks, VPN support and separate Wi-Fi networks for children. Up to five SSIDs can be configured.
A Heavier Cooling Design
The GT-BN98 isn’t just a networking upgrade. ASUS has redesigned the router’s physical cooling system as well.
The aluminium top plate is 30 percent thicker than the one used on the previous ROG Rapture GT-AXE16000. ASUS has also added an enhanced nanocarbon layer and an elevated stand to improve airflow.
According to the company, these changes allow the GT-BN98 to operate up to 35 percent cooler than its predecessor.
That extra cooling could become particularly important when the router is handling multiple high-speed wired connections alongside four wireless bands.
£789.99 Price Puts It Firmly in the High-End Market
The ROG Rapture GT-BN98 is priced at £789.99 in the UK, making it a significant investment for a home router.
For most households, the hardware is likely to be excessive. Even users with fast internet connections may not have enough compatible devices or network traffic to take advantage of its full capabilities.
However, the GT-BN98 is designed as a forward-looking product. ASUS is selling it before the Wi-Fi 8 standard is officially finalized, with ratification currently expected in 2028.
ASUS says the router follows the draft Wi-Fi 8 specifications and is expected to support the finalized standard. The company also suggests that any required changes could potentially be delivered through a firmware update.
UK availability is currently expected in early October.
That effectively makes the ROG Rapture GT-BN98 an early-access piece of Wi-Fi 8 hardware. Buyers are paying a premium to get the technology ahead of the final standard, while ASUS is betting that the router’s hardware will remain compatible as Wi-Fi 8 moves toward official ratification.
