Which Wireless Networking PCI-e Card?

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ChaoticPanda

ChaoticPanda

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Apr 20, 2013
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Hi I am looking for a new PCI-e wireless network card as my USB adapter keeps disconnecting.
Note: I can't use PCI cards as my motherboard only has PCI-e Slots.
Budget:
$60 (MAX)
Websites that can ONLY be used:
http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf
http://www.pcdiy.com.au/ad/Pricelist.pdf
Current situation:
I am currently deciding on two wireless network cards:
TP-LINK TL-WDN4800
OR
ASUS PCE-N53
Router:
NETGEAR CGD24N
http://www.netgear.com.au/service-provider/products/routers-and-gateways/cable-gateways/CGD24N.aspx
The reason why I am getting dual-band is because later some I will upgrade my router.
I am glad to get suggestions but only if the product is available on the two websites I listed.
Thanks in advance
 
Solution
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You have to remember the only difference between USB and PCI is how the data gets from the wireless chips to the computer. The USB sends the data serially and the PCI uses a parallel bus. Unlikely you would get a issue in either of these connections. If USB is a problem then your keyboard and mouse would also have issues as well as any flash type disk which transfers many times more data than a wireless.

No matter what the sites say about range they all lie. They can test all they want in their location and it means absolutely nothing in your house. Except for a small handful of devices that run on battery and try to conserve power all device transmit at the maximum legal power. This is the key factor that determine range. If...
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bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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You will likely see little difference. Key issue with internal cards is the placement of the computer. You need the back of the computer to face the router if at all possible. You already block all the signal from one direction with the computer case. If you were to put this against the wall then you will come close to blocking all the signal. These internal cards used to be faster but USB is now just as fast. I would use a USB based device and place it on top of the computer using a USB extension cable.. many come with a cable.

In any case you router is going to greatly limit even forgetting the 5g band. Both these cards can run wide channels which give 150m and the either 2x2 mimo or 3x3 mimo which give 300 and 450m respectively. although the 300 and 450 are mostly advertising bull the 150m is because it uses more radio bandwidth. The router you have is limited to 75m.
 
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ChaoticPanda

ChaoticPanda

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Apr 20, 2013
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10,510


Hello! It appears I have not stated my situation properly. My current USB adapter is the Netgear WNCE3001 which is supposed to be one of the best wireless USB solutions but is absolute garbage. I will disconnect from the Internet every 2 minutes and makes it harder to do things such as web browsing let alone gaming. Until you can provide me a stable USB adapter solution I am not convinced. You have a day before I have to make up my mind.
Thanks in advance.
Note: Sorry if I sounded frustrated it is just this crappy USB adapter that has made me thing twice about buying a USB adapter. Also I have heard tons of news that Network cards have a ton more wireless range than a USB adapter and that is needed as my router is directly 1 story below me which is quite far.

 
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bill001g

Titan
Aug 9, 2012
28,318
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125,640
You have to remember the only difference between USB and PCI is how the data gets from the wireless chips to the computer. The USB sends the data serially and the PCI uses a parallel bus. Unlikely you would get a issue in either of these connections. If USB is a problem then your keyboard and mouse would also have issues as well as any flash type disk which transfers many times more data than a wireless.

No matter what the sites say about range they all lie. They can test all they want in their location and it means absolutely nothing in your house. Except for a small handful of devices that run on battery and try to conserve power all device transmit at the maximum legal power. This is the key factor that determine range. If you go the the FCC site and look at licensing data you will find there are very very few actual brands of wireless chips (just like there are very few manufactures of CPU). When you compare the output power graphs they almost all look identical. So you can get all kinds of claims but when it comes to the ones where they cannot lie everyone is pretty much the same.

You could have a defective device or it may be that the antenna placement in that device is not optimum for your house. I suspect though that you have a interference issue or your house blocks certain radio frequencies. The standard advice applies which is to change the radio channels and see if it improves.

The other key factor with your situation is all wireless is designed to transmit the signal power out horizontally. Since they are limited in how much transmit power they have they tend to favor this with their antenna design. You could try to lay your equipment on its side which would make it favor vertical transmission.

I still like the USB devices because a 15ft extension cable give much more options that moving the whole computer around the room trying to find a optimum placement.
 
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Solution
ChaoticPanda

ChaoticPanda

Honorable
Apr 20, 2013
24
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10,510


Hi bill001g,
Thank you for the excellent advice and making me consider USB network adapters again.
I have found a very good deal in Australia (where I live) for a dual band network router which comes with a free dual band USB network adapter.
Link: http://www.tp-link.com.au/common/Promo/au/au-3600-promotion/?siteid=5
I have 1 day to decide to get this or not and I want your professional opinion on these particular products. This way I can knock down two birds with one stone!
Also for your advice how do you change radio channels. I am very new to networking and have no past experiences.
Thanks in advance.
 
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kevindb1234

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Sep 11, 2010
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kevindb1234

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Sep 11, 2010
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2 of RP-SMA Male to RP-SMA Female Wifi Antenna Extension Cable 2m/6' and the card is Rosewill RNX-N250PCe (RNWD-11005) PCI ... what i did is used the extension cables to move them from behind the pc place the antennas where you get best reception worked great for me and im going through concrete walls. all under 50.00
 
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