Introduction

It was not that long ago that I started testing WiFi 6 networking solutions and the market has only just got to the point where consumer devices—phones, laptops, pre-built PCs, standalone motherboards, add-on NICs—are expected to support it. Such was the delay in widespread adoption that we have had an addendum to the same 802.11ax IEEE standard called WiFi 6E come out already. WiFi 6 (wireless ax) operates over the same 5 GHz band as WiFi 5 (wireless ac) so going with the wider, less crowded 6 GHz band with WiFi 6E presents inherent advantages not only in higher potential bandwidth but also just less obstruction from other routers and clients. But things are not as simple with regional discrepancy over the assigned channels in the 6 GHz band, and it took even longer for most countries to even allow WiFi 6E to operate in the first place. As such, I decided to wait until now to cover a WiFi 6E router for the first time and MSI won out for a few different reasons.


MSI needs no introduction, having been one of the most reviewed brands on TechPowerUp and a household name in the PC DIY space. The Taiwan-based brand has diversified galore to go outside the PC tower, covering peripherals, monitors, and much more. It was not a surprise then that MSI would get into the networking game too—at least outside of old, plausibly re-branded products—and CES 2023 saw a few different routers shown under the RadiX product line that MSI says have been in development for a few years with plenty of hard work put into both the hardware and software side of things. One of these is an interesting prototype unit for WiFi 7 networking (see what I mean about WiFi standards being wonky these days?) but the RadiX AXE660 finally made a full debut after being first teased at CES last year. This is MSI's first proper router release in ages and was developed alongside a less expensive WiFi 6-only AX6000 sibling that this review should also give you a performance preview of. Thanks to MSI for providing a sample of the European model—please be aware that the US model, for example, may perform differently—to TechPowerUp, as we begin with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

The MSI RadiX AXE6600 router ships in a large and colorful box akin to a modern gen MSI motherboard. On the front is the company logo and product name along with a render of the router lit up and ready to go. We also see salient features listed here, leaving little doubt as to what the AXE6600 is capable of. The back is adorned by specific marketing points with accompanying illustrations whereas product specifications and company info is seen on the side. This is also where you will note any regional restrictions as applicable and MSI seemingly did not care about the UK no longer being part of the EU—the restrictions here are identical to that in EU member states anyway, we'll get to that soon enough. The box opens up from the side wherein we see RadiX printed on the underside of the lid and a thick foam sheet on top of the contents inside.


Inside the box and surrounded by more foam on all sides is the router itself that comes snugly packed in a machined cutout in the foam to hold it and the antennas in place that in turn have plastic sleeves around them. Underneath is a cardboard accessory box as well as paperwork in the form of a multi-language quick start guide going over initial set up and use of the router, a specific regulatory notice for the region, and a reminder to join MSI's rewards program if you are so inclined.


Inside the accessory box we find a 2 m long Ethernet cable, which allows for a decent amount of room for cable management along a wall if needed. It feeds the internet signal from your modem or gateway to the router and is terminated in a standard RJ45 connector on either end. The cable is compatible with the 1 / 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports on the router although you will need to supply your own to make full use of the multiple ports available. We also get an external power supply and transformer unit from CWT that is rated for taking in AC power (100-240 V, 1.3 A max) and providing DC power (12 V, 3.5 A max) to the router. This European SKU comes with removable wall plugs that clip in place in the receptacle on the end as demonstrated with the UK plug seen above.