Pci card, usb wifi adapter, or both!?

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Dr Paul

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Dec 21, 2013
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I have wireless pci card which only supports up to 802.11n. Am purchasing a new wireless router supporting 802.11ac. Do I need to install a new pci card which supports 802.11ac or just a new usb wireless adapter, or both?
If I need usb wireless adapter can it be usb3 or usb2 only?
 
Solution
N
No, you do not, your N card will see the AC network perfectly. do not worry about the speed, it should have fast enough connection to the router( bear in mind, it cannot improve your internet speed, it is basically exchange the Ethernet cable)
If you turn on your PC you will see your internet speed on the toolbar. It will show the connection from the PC to the router. It should be 150Mb/s or 300Mb/s either one is way faster than your max theoretical Internet connection
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
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You probably need to do neither.
Your new router should also support lower speeds like wireless n.

If you want to upgrade your wireless card to ac, I suggest a replacement pci based card with a good antenna.
usb dongles tend to have a weak range.
 
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Bassim Ansari

Bassim Ansari

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Dec 18, 2013
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Your wireless PCI card will work fine on 2ghz frequency

The reason for getting a router with AC is a 2nd frequency of 5ghz which is useful for hd video streaming and online gaming because there is a less interference from the more common 2ghz frequency

Your card can still work on 2ghz freq with new router

But if you want to use the 5ghz frequency you will need to buy a new USB device capable of supporting such frequencies

 
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Nefos

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Nov 8, 2013
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No, you do not, your N card will see the AC network perfectly. do not worry about the speed, it should have fast enough connection to the router( bear in mind, it cannot improve your internet speed, it is basically exchange the Ethernet cable)
If you turn on your PC you will see your internet speed on the toolbar. It will show the connection from the PC to the router. It should be 150Mb/s or 300Mb/s either one is way faster than your max theoretical Internet connection
 
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