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Yes, but “cheap” needs context. The MikroTik CRS804-4DDQ-hRM is a compact 1U switch with four 400GbE QSFP56-DD ports (1.6Tbps of aggregate port bandwidth) and two additional 10M/100M/1G/10G Ethernet ports. MikroTik lists a $1,295 suggested price, while ServeTheHome reported street pricing of about $1,100 in September 2026. That is unusually low for a 400GbE platform, but optics, breakout cables, compatible endpoints, rack space and power can substantially increase the installed cost. It is aimed at AI/GPU clusters, all-flash storage fabrics and high-speed aggregation—not ordinary home or small-office networking. RouterOS v7 provides management, and the QSFP56-DD ports can break out to several lower speeds when the transceivers and connected devices support them.
What is the MikroTik CRS804-4DDQ-hRM?
The CRS804-4DDQ-hRM is a data-center-oriented Ethernet switch built around four 400GbE QSFP56-DD interfaces. It is designed for short, high-bandwidth links between servers, storage systems and aggregation layers in environments such as AI training clusters and high-performance storage networks. Two additional copper Ethernet ports support 10M, 100M, 1G and 10G operation for management or slower upstream connections.
MikroTik describes the unit as “a compact and reliable 400 Gigabit switch designed for modern AI workloads and next-generation network upgrades.” Its hardware combines a Marvell 98DX7335 switch chip with a quad-core AL52400 ARM 64-bit processor running at 2GHz, 4GB of DDR4 memory and 512MB of NAND storage. RouterOS v7 is supplied at license level 6.
The four QSFP56-DD ports provide 1.6Tbps of nominal aggregate port bandwidth. That figure is the sum of port rates, not a promise that every packet pattern, protocol or software feature will achieve line rate in every direction. Actual results depend on packet size, framing, optics, cabling, peer NICs, switch configuration and the traffic pattern.
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ServeTheHome reported deploying the switch in RDMA networks serving NVIDIA GB10 and GB300 Station clusters. That is useful evidence that the platform can be used in demanding cluster designs, but it is reviewer experience rather than a guarantee for every AI system or RDMA implementation.
Is the CRS804-4DDQ-hRM really a cheap 400GbE switch?
At the switch-only price, it is inexpensive for four 400GbE ports. MikroTik’s 2026 product page lists a $1,295 suggested price, and ServeTheHome reported approximately $1,100 street pricing in September 2026. Retail prices change by country, distributor and stock status, so treat the latter as a time-stamped observation rather than a permanent price.
The meaningful comparison is the cost of a working link, not the chassis alone. A complete deployment may require QSFP56-DD 400G optical modules, 400G direct-attach or active-optical cables, breakout assemblies, compatible server adapters, fiber, rack hardware and adequate power distribution. If a 400G port is split among lower-speed links, each endpoint still needs a matching breakout-capable transceiver or cable and a device that supports the selected lane or Ethernet speed.
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| Cost element | What is established | What you must verify |
|---|---|---|
| CRS804-4DDQ-hRM chassis | $1,295 suggested price from MikroTik’s 2026 product page; about $1,100 street price reported by ServeTheHome in September 2026 | Current regional retailer price, tax, shipping and warranty handling |
| 400G optics | QSFP56-DD optics are the relevant module family | Optical reach, fiber type, coding, lane mode, temperature rating and peer compatibility |
| Breakout cables | Ports support breakout to 1G, 2.5G, 5G, 10G, 25G and 50G according to MikroTik | Exact cable or module mapping, connector type and endpoint support |
| DAC/AOC cabling | 400GbE DAC and AOC options are applicable accessories | Length, passive or active design, coding and supported switch/NIC combination |
| Rack and power | 1U installation, dual 100–240V AC inputs and included rack hardware | Rack depth, PDU outlets, airflow clearance and redundant-power policy |
For a small lab with short in-rack links, the low chassis price can be compelling. For a production cluster, transceiver and endpoint costs can exceed the switch price, so a “cheap 400GbE” calculation that excludes them is misleading.
How many ports and what speeds does it support?
There are four 400GbE QSFP56-DD ports and two multi-rate Ethernet ports. The QSFP56-DD interfaces are the high-bandwidth data ports; the two smaller ports can run at 10M, 100M, 1G or 10G and are useful for management, monitoring or a lower-speed network connection.
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400GbE interfaces
- Four QSFP56-DD ports, each rated for 400GbE operation.
- Combined nominal port bandwidth of 1.6Tbps.
- Breakout modes advertised by MikroTik for 1G, 2.5G, 5G, 10G, 25G and 50G.
- Breakout requires suitable QSFP56-DD optics or cables and compatible devices at the far end; selecting a speed in software cannot make an incompatible optic, cable or NIC work.
Management and auxiliary interfaces
The two 10M/100M/1G/10G Ethernet ports provide a practical path for management traffic or slower connections. They do not add another 400GbE uplink and should not be counted in the 1.6Tbps figure.
What hardware is inside the switch?
The main hardware specifications are:
| Specification | CRS804-4DDQ-hRM detail |
|---|---|
| Switch chip | Marvell 98DX7335 |
| CPU | Quad-core AL52400 ARM 64-bit at 2GHz |
| Memory | 4GB DDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 512MB NAND |
| Operating system | RouterOS v7, license level 6 |
| Dimensions | 387 × 218 × 44mm |
| Operating temperature | -10°C to 60°C |
| Power input | Dual 100–240V AC inputs |
| Maximum power | 92W without attachments; 123W with attachments |
The 44mm height is effectively a 1U rack form factor. The 387mm depth is shorter than many deep data-center switches, but you should still measure the rack, cable bend radius and rear-support position before ordering. QSFP56-DD connectors and thick DACs can need more clearance than ordinary copper patch leads.
What comes in the box, and how is it mounted?
MikroTik lists two IEC power cords, rack brackets, rear support ears, fastening hardware and an RMK-2×10/19 mounting component among the included installation items. The rear supports matter because high-density 400G cables can be heavy and place leverage on front rack ears.
- Confirm that the rack has a free 1U position and enough rear depth for the 387mm chassis, power plugs and cable bend radius.
- Attach the supplied rack brackets and rear support ears using the included fastening hardware.
- Secure the switch to the rack with all required supports rather than hanging a fully cabled unit from the front ears alone.
- Connect each AC input to an appropriate 100–240V source. For power redundancy, use separate PDU circuits where your facility design permits it.
- Leave the manufacturer’s airflow paths unobstructed and verify that the rack’s ambient temperature remains within -10°C to 60°C.
The switch can draw up to 92W without attachments and up to 123W with attachments. Size the PDU, UPS and thermal budget for the 123W maximum rather than the lower bare-chassis figure.
How do QSFP56-DD breakout connections work?
A QSFP56-DD port uses multiple electrical lanes that can be presented as one 400G interface or divided into lower-speed interfaces. MikroTik states support for 1G, 2.5G, 5G, 10G, 25G and 50G breakout modes. The usable mode is determined by the switch software, module or cable construction and the endpoint’s capabilities together.
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Choosing a direct 400G link
Use a 400G QSFP56-DD optic, DAC or AOC when the connected server, storage array or neighboring switch also has a compatible 400GbE interface. Check the module’s wavelength or reach, fiber requirements, coding and supported Ethernet standard on both ends. A module that physically fits may still be rejected or fail to establish link because of coding or firmware compatibility.
Choosing a breakout link
Breakout is useful when one high-density switch port must connect to several lower-speed NICs or switch ports. Before buying, document the intended fan-out—such as 4×100G if supported by the chosen transceiver family, or one of the lower speeds MikroTik explicitly lists—and verify that the cable or optical assembly exposes the required lanes. The CRS804’s published list includes 1G, 2.5G, 5G, 10G, 25G and 50G; do not assume every possible 100G or 200G fan-out without a specific MikroTik-supported configuration.
Compatibility checklist
- Confirm the switch’s RouterOS version and supported breakout mode.
- Match the optic or cable’s coding to MikroTik and the remote NIC or switch.
- Check connector type, fiber polarity, length and bend radius.
- Verify that the remote adapter exposes the expected lane count and speed.
- Plan how the breakout interfaces will be named and configured in RouterOS and on the host.
- Keep a known-good short cable or optic available for troubleshooting.
Is it suitable for an AI or GPU cluster?
It can be suitable for a compact AI or GPU cluster when the cluster’s NICs, optics, RDMA stack and traffic pattern have been validated together. Four 400G ports make it attractive for a small leaf, aggregation point or high-speed interconnect, and ServeTheHome’s reported RDMA deployments with NVIDIA GB10 and GB300 Station clusters show a real-world use case.
That report does not establish universal compatibility. AI fabrics can be sensitive to congestion control, lossless Ethernet settings, PFC or ECN behavior, firmware versions, topology and collective-communication traffic. Validate the exact GPU servers, NICs, operating systems and orchestration software you intend to use before treating the switch as production-ready.
Where it fits well
- A compact 1U leaf or aggregation switch for a small number of 400G-capable nodes.
- Short-reach in-rack AI or storage links using validated DACs or AOCs.
- Labs that need to experiment with RouterOS-managed 400GbE and breakout configurations.
- High-speed storage fabrics where the endpoint adapters and protocol stack are already known to interoperate.
Where caution is warranted
- Large fabrics requiring many more than four 400G ports; additional switches and an interconnect design will be necessary.
- Installations that depend on a specific vendor’s optics qualification list or formal support contract.
- Networks where deterministic latency, extensive telemetry or specialized AI-fabric automation is a hard requirement and has not been tested on RouterOS.
- Deployments with long optical runs or unusual breakout combinations that have not been validated with the exact modules.
What does RouterOS v7 add, and what should administrators plan for?
RouterOS v7 is the management platform, with license level 6 included. Administrators should plan the initial management address, user accounts, software update policy, configuration backup and out-of-band access before attaching production links.
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- Connect one of the 10M/100M/1G/10G Ethernet ports to an isolated management network.
- Log in using the current RouterOS management method supplied with the unit, change default credentials and restrict management services to trusted addresses.
- Upgrade RouterOS only after checking the release notes and confirming that the target version supports the intended QSFP56-DD and breakout functions.
- Create a baseline configuration backup before enabling 400G interfaces, breakout modes or advanced traffic policies.
- Bring up one link at a time, record negotiated speed and module diagnostics, and then test the full topology.
RouterOS gives the switch a broad configuration environment, but that flexibility increases the need for change control. A configuration that is correct for ordinary Ethernet may not be correct for an RDMA or storage fabric, so test congestion behavior and recovery under the actual workload.
How much power, cooling and rack capacity does it need?
The two AC inputs accept 100–240V, and the maximum stated draw is 92W without attachments or 123W with attachments. The higher number is the appropriate planning value when optics, DACs or other connected attachments are installed. Dual inputs allow a redundant facility power arrangement, but redundancy depends on separate upstream circuits and the behavior of the attached power supplies.
At 1U and 44mm high, the chassis saves rack space compared with larger modular systems. Nevertheless, 400G optics and cables add heat and can restrict airflow. Keep the front and rear of the switch clear, avoid tightly bundling cables across vents, and check the rack’s ambient temperature against the specified -10°C to 60°C operating range.
How does it compare with other 400G switches?
The available evidence establishes the CRS804’s port count, breakout claims, price observations, power figures and management platform, but it does not provide a like-for-like specification set for a named competing model. The fairest comparison is therefore a checklist rather than an unsupported ranking.
| Comparison question | CRS804-4DDQ-hRM information | Why it matters when evaluating another switch |
|---|---|---|
| 400G port count | Four QSFP56-DD ports | More ports may reduce the number of chassis in a larger fabric; fewer may lower cost for a small topology. |
| Breakout flexibility | 1G, 2.5G, 5G, 10G, 25G and 50G stated by MikroTik | Confirm the exact supported fan-outs, not just the connector type. |
| Management | RouterOS v7, license level 6 | Check automation interfaces, telemetry, feature licensing and staff familiarity. |
| Power | 92W maximum without attachments; 123W with attachments | Compare fully populated power, not an empty-chassis figure. |
| Physical size | 387 × 218 × 44mm, 1U class | Measure rack depth, rear support and cable clearance. |
| Support and warranty | Specific terms are not stated in the supplied product facts | Obtain regional warranty, replacement and escalation terms before production purchase. |
| Performance evidence | MikroTik publishes RFC2544/Xena results; ServeTheHome reports independent RDMA use | Require tests using your packet sizes, protocols, optics and traffic pattern. |
What performance evidence is available?
MikroTik publishes RFC2544 and Xena test results for the product. Those are vendor measurements made under the stated test conditions, so they should not be read as a universal throughput or latency guarantee. RFC2544-style results can differ substantially from small-packet, mixed-protocol, oversubscribed or congestion-heavy traffic in an AI or storage fabric.
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
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ServeTheHome’s independent review adds deployment context through RDMA networks serving NVIDIA GB10 and GB300 Station clusters. When evaluating the switch, reproduce the conditions that matter to your workload: packet sizes, number of active ports, full-duplex or asymmetric traffic, MTU, VLANs, routing or bridging features, RDMA transport, congestion controls and failover events.
A practical acceptance test
- Verify every optic or cable at the intended speed and record module diagnostics.
- Run single-link line-rate tests at several packet sizes.
- Test all four 400G ports simultaneously in the direction and topology your cluster will use.
- Exercise breakout links individually and concurrently.
- Measure latency, loss, pause or ECN behavior and recovery after an interface or power-path interruption.
- Run representative storage or collective-communication workloads before accepting the switch for production.
What are the main advantages and limitations?
Advantages
- Four 400GbE ports in a compact 1U chassis.
- Low observed chassis pricing for this port class: about $1,100 in ServeTheHome’s September 2026 report.
- Two multi-rate 10M/100M/1G/10G ports for management or auxiliary connectivity.
- Published breakout support across several lower Ethernet speeds.
- Dual AC inputs and supplied rack-support hardware.
- RouterOS v7 and substantial local CPU, memory and NAND resources for management.
Limitations and risks
- The complete system cost can rise sharply after optics, cables and compatible endpoint adapters are added.
- Four ports limit scale compared with larger 400G chassis.
- Breakout compatibility is configuration-specific; physical QSFP56-DD fit is not enough.
- Vendor test results do not replace workload-specific validation.
- Formal warranty, support and replacement terms depend on the seller and region and are not specified in the available product facts.
- High-density cables can complicate rear clearance, airflow and rack servicing.
Who should buy the CRS804-4DDQ-hRM?
Buy it when you need a small number of 400GbE links, can validate the required optics and endpoints, and are comfortable operating RouterOS. It is particularly logical for a compact AI/GPU or all-flash-storage fabric, a lab exploring 400GbE, or an aggregation role where four high-speed ports are sufficient.
Choose a different class of switch when you need a much larger port count, a specific enterprise support contract, a formally qualified optic ecosystem or a feature set that has not been validated on RouterOS for your workload. The CRS804 is best treated as a high-speed building block, not a universal replacement for every data-center switching platform.
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- Current price and stock in your country; the approximately $1,100 figure is a September 2026 street-price report, not a fixed quote.
- Whether your servers or storage systems have 400GbE-capable adapters or supported breakout targets.
- Exact QSFP56-DD optic, DAC or AOC part numbers, coding and firmware compatibility.
- Required fiber type, length, polarity and cable bend radius.
- Rack depth, rear-support position, PDU outlets and UPS capacity.
- Thermal clearance with all attachments installed.
- RouterOS version, automation requirements and backup procedures.
- Acceptance-test criteria for packet sizes, RDMA or storage protocols, congestion and failover.
- Regional warranty, replacement time and technical-support arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one CRS804 port connect to several 50G devices?
MikroTik lists 50G among the supported QSFP-DD breakout speeds. The exact fan-out still depends on the selected breakout optic or cable and on each endpoint accepting the resulting lane and Ethernet mode, so confirm the complete part-number combination before purchase.
Are 400G optics included with the switch?
The listed installation contents cover power cords, rack hardware and fastening items; optics and data cables are not identified as included. Budget separately for QSFP56-DD optics, DACs or AOCs and verify their coding and reach.
Can I run the switch from a single power feed?
The hardware has dual 100–240V AC inputs, so a single feed may power it, but it removes facility-level power-path redundancy. For resilient operation, connect the inputs to independent, appropriately protected PDU or UPS circuits.
Does four-port 400GbE mean the switch can forward 1.6Tbps in every workload?
The 1.6Tbps figure is the aggregate nominal port rate. Real forwarding results depend on packet size, traffic direction, protocol features, congestion and the attached optics and endpoints; use workload-specific testing rather than the arithmetic total alone.
Is RouterOS suitable for lossless RDMA networking?
The platform has been reported in RDMA deployments, including clusters using NVIDIA GB10 and GB300 Station systems. Suitability for your fabric depends on the exact NICs, congestion-control design, firmware and RouterOS configuration, so validate those elements together before production use.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
