New Router vs. Network Card

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Acrilyc

Acrilyc

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Aug 21, 2013
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I recently built my PC and got the Encore 2XN45 PCIe card, and it wouldn't reach my router, which is the basic Wireless G Linksys WRT54G.

Now I've moved the router, which was one room away, maybe 35-50 feet, my Macbook reaches it just fine, into my own room. My PC is doing great now.


So, I'm not sure if I should get a new Wireless N router, http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WR1043ND-Ultimate-Wireless-Detachable/dp/B002YLAUU8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383700316&sr=8-3&keywords=tp+link+wireless+router

Or should I spend ~$40 on a new PCI card?

We have a lot of computers on our network, 4, sometimes 5. plus xbox and rokus.


I can't keep my router in my own room because it's an inconvenience for my brother, on the other side of the house. It use to be in the middle of the house.

So... New router or new PCIe card?

Also, this is a possible solution, I think. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833381014&Tpk=gamebase
 
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Putting a USB on a cable so you place it in other parts of the room is what I tend to recommend to people. Since a USB card and a 15ft usb cable can be had for less than $20 it is cheap thing to try

Your setup with the computer stuffed under a desk blocking the antennas is why I tend to not like the PCI option.
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bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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You may get better results just turning your PC so the antenna face the router. This the key problem with PCI cards. They are located very close to the metal case which blocks signal from that direction.

In general there is not a lot of difference between device as far as coverage goes. Some laptop and tablets will work better than others because of difference in antenna placement.

The router you have is very old. It makes all you stuff run at G speeds. A new n router or even the AC routers do not transmit any further but at the same signal level they can send more data so they run faster. BUT if you get no signal even 100 times faster of no signal is still no signal.

I would still try the router first. What you could do is keep the old router and use it as a AP if you could connect the 2 with a ethernet cable. You could put the new router where most the devices could use it and run a cable to the old router and put it in a area that did not get good coverage from the main router but could live with 802.11g speeds.
 
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Acrilyc

Acrilyc

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Aug 21, 2013
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It's hard for me to turn my computer, as it's in a desk facing a wall. I thought about this USB Antenna that I could sit on the top of my desk (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833381014&Tpk=gamebase)

That would be a better solution to turning it around.

Also, I plan to get a new router eventually. But I'd rather get the new card first so I can still use the internet at G speeds (we run ~20-25mbps, we can't get anything better than that because of our ISP speed in my area, so would a new router even help) instead of getting a new router and still not being able to use it because it's out of range.

And, putting the old router in another location is out of the question, as it's in my living room and my mother wouldn't like the idea of having wires and cables everywhere. Haha.

It's really either a new card or new router. Starting to lean towards that USB Gamebase or new PCI card if a new router wouldn't reach.
 
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bill001g

Titan
Aug 9, 2012
28,326
2,756
125,640
Putting a USB on a cable so you place it in other parts of the room is what I tend to recommend to people. Since a USB card and a 15ft usb cable can be had for less than $20 it is cheap thing to try

Your setup with the computer stuffed under a desk blocking the antennas is why I tend to not like the PCI option.
 
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Acrilyc

Acrilyc

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Aug 21, 2013
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I ordered the USB adapter. It has a 9 foot cable so I can put it on the top of my desk.

it should reach my router, as it has a range of 2000 meters, so it says. Surely it can reach it from 25 meters or so.

Thanks!
 
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