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What wireless network adapter to get?

Tags:
  • Wireless Network
  • Speed
Last response: in Wireless Networking
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June 4, 2014 10:46:25 AM

I just put together my first PC build and I need to get a WNA. I was thinking about getting a USB one to put in the back of my PC. I was at my local Best Buy and found a bunch called N300, N600, N900, etc. when I check my internet speed on my laptop it says 72.2Mbps, so will the N300 be more than good enough? Because the adapter spec says speed up to 300Mbps, its talking about the same speed right?

More about : wireless network adapter

June 4, 2014 10:50:36 AM

The quality of a wireless adapter is dependent most of all on the quality of its antenna(s), and most USB adapters have lousy antennas. I have a dual-band PCIe x1 adapter that was able to discover networks in my neighborhood of distantly-detached houses that I did not even know existed.
This is the one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... for $35. That's not cheap, but it is MUCH better than the $15 adapters I'd been buying.
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June 4, 2014 10:59:07 AM

I don't need much range (if that's what you mean by quality of antenna), the modem is only 10-15ft away, I just want to make sure that I'm understanding the speed limitations of the adapters correctly and make sure that it won't bottleneck my internet speed
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June 4, 2014 11:08:08 AM

Regardless of range, poor antennas and cheap adapters are also more subject to interference. I switched my wife's PC from a cheap PCI adapter to a Powerline adapter, and the difference was amazing, even though she was probably only 20' (and two thin interior walls) from the router.
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