Powerline Adapter or Wireless Adapter?

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i3az00ka

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Aug 6, 2015
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I have a wireless dual band N router that gets speeds up to 105mbps. Between me and my parents there are about 6 devices that use our 2.4GHz connection. Recently I set up my PC, which has a 2.4GHz PCI card, in my room. There's only one wall that separates my room from the room the router is in, but I still get really low speeds. Like not even able to break 1mbps. Everything else (my laptop, parents laptop, all our phones) are perfectly fine, as in we are able to browse the web and watch youtube/netflix at good speeds and high resolutions.

Originally I was planning on changing out my PCI card for a 5GHz PCI card so that I wouldn't add to the congestion on the 2.4Ghz network. As I was searching for a 5GHz USB adapter someone brought to my attention powerline adapters. I checked some out, but my concern was, will the powerline adapter reduce the speed of those on the network that are connected wirelessly? Sort of like an ethernet cable would? Maybe I'm totally off on this, but I don't need my mom complaining that she can't read her daily dose of celebrity gossip "because of that 'thing' I connceted to the wifi."

So with all that being said, for my situation what would you suggest? Powerline or Wireless?
Any other information or suggestions you feel I should know I would love to hear.

Thanks!
 
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digitaldoc

digitaldoc

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Oct 31, 2003
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Either powerline or wireless could work.

These older routers, start to choke as you add several devices onto them. A new router would likely help, as well as a new adapter for your PC.

If you are adding only one piece of hardware, than a powerline adapter would solve the problem, and keep your existing router.

Powerline does not interfere with other devices on wifi at all.
 
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i3az00ka

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Good to know. This house is actually a little on the older side and I've read that can lower the speeds, and with my luck they would be just as bad as they are now. So I think for now I'm gonna plan on getting a wireless one. Thanks a ton for the info.
 
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digitaldoc

digitaldoc

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You're welcome.

Powerline is a crapshoot on the older homes. I have generally had good luck with them, in a home built in the 1960's. They have always crossed circuit breakers without any issue too. Of course, YMMV.

If I had an N router, I would be looking to upgrade to AC which can better handle multiple devices.
 
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