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What is the best wireless PCI/-E WiFi card?

Tags:
  • Wireless Network
  • Desktops
  • Wireless
  • Build
  • PCI Express
  • new
Last response: in Wireless Networking
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September 7, 2013 7:10:45 AM

I am building my new PC in under a month and I need a wireless PCI card for my new build as Ethernet isn't an option. I am quite far away from my router and it is through several thick walls, my 4 year old laptop can just reach the signal with 2 bars. Please find the card on amazon.co.uk. Also this is the link to my mobo Thanks in advance!! :p 
-hopgop1

More about : wireless pci wifi card

Best solution

a c 138 F Wireless
September 7, 2013 7:26:09 AM

Depends what you mean "best". You want to match the features on your routers. You must determine if you need dual band or mimo (it will have multiple antenna) or new options like 802.11ac.

Now if by "best" you mean signal strength then there is very little difference. Your house makes much more difference than any tiny variation between cards. All cards transmit at the legal maximum power. There is some variation in the type of antenna these cards use but it generally does not make a big difference.

What you may find is your laptop actually gets a little better reception due to placement of the antenna in the back of the screen where your desktop will likely have the antenna located very close to the metal case and likely being placed against the wall blocking even more signal.

Peoples houses vary so much its extremely hard to judge what will work well. This is why you see such a huge mix of reviews for wireless equipment with some people saying its great and others saying it does not work. The key thing is cards that have similar features likely use the exact same chipsets no matter whose name is on the box. So if you stay with the larger manufacture you will get similar performance so try to find something that is on a sale.
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March 9, 2014 8:00:24 PM

bill001g said:
Depends what you mean "best". You want to match the features on your routers. You must determine if you need dual band or mimo (it will have multiple antenna) or new options like 802.11ac.

Now if by "best" you mean signal strength then there is very little difference. Your house makes much more difference than any tiny variation between cards. All cards transmit at the legal maximum power. There is some variation in the type of antenna these cards use but it generally does not make a big difference.

What you may find is your laptop actually gets a little better reception due to placement of the antenna in the back of the screen where your desktop will likely have the antenna located very close to the metal case and likely being placed against the wall blocking even more signal.

Peoples houses vary so much its extremely hard to judge what will work well. This is why you see such a huge mix of reviews for wireless equipment with some people saying its great and others saying it does not work. The key thing is cards that have similar features likely use the exact same chipsets no matter whose name is on the box. So if you stay with the larger manufacture you will get similar performance so try to find something that is on a sale.


The 802.11ac has SO MANY issues. I would not advise getting it. I have had to constantly uninstall the driver, unplug my laptop, and turn it back on to get the wi fi to work again. It's the only thing that wokrs because every time I'm done using it for the day and use it again later, the wi fi doesnt work, and so i do said procedure.
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April 27, 2014 12:54:14 AM

get a wi-fi extender plug. problem solved :lol: 
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August 19, 2014 6:43:42 AM

I am seeking one also although I do have an Ethernet connection. My concern is finding one that has MS WHQL certified drivers for Windows 8.1 64bit. I would prefer a wirelss n with a g fallback in case I have to switch my router off n only. dual band so as to not get interference on the 2.4 ghz band. I would consider either a pci-e card or a USB dongle as range is not that much of an issue. Any recommendations?
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