Wireless Adapter Help

Brose6

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Jan 27, 2016
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Hello,

My desktop is significantly slower than all my other devices. When performing speed tests, my laptop and phone receive around 80-90 Mbps download speeds. However, my desktop receives around 10-14 Mbps tops. I plugged my desktop's wireless adapter into my laptop and the speeds became significantly slower as well. So I'm pretty confident that it is the wireless adapter that is causing the issue.

My router is from Comcast and is 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz dual band, 802.11ac
My adapter is a Panda Wireless PAU06, USB Wireless adapter

I tried downloading the latest drivers for the adapter with no change in speed. To me, it seems like I need to purchase a new adapter. Is that a correct assumption? If so, I don't know where to begin on which one to purchase as there are so many different brands and options. What are a couple good options? What specs should I be looking for?

Thanks for your help!
 
Solution
Yes, you need to purchase a new adapter. These cheap wireless adapters don't perform anywhere near to specification, and have very short range. Purchase one with capability to connect to the 5GHz wireless N or the AC network. Also, if you have an open PCI-E slot in your motherboard, consider an internal card. The data rate over PCI-E is much faster then USB.

bistwo

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Jul 27, 2011
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Yes, you need to purchase a new adapter. These cheap wireless adapters don't perform anywhere near to specification, and have very short range. Purchase one with capability to connect to the 5GHz wireless N or the AC network. Also, if you have an open PCI-E slot in your motherboard, consider an internal card. The data rate over PCI-E is much faster then USB.
 
Solution

Brose6

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Jan 27, 2016
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4,510
I assume it is safe to say that at my speeds (Comcast has me at 75 Mbps) I don't really need an AC capable adapter? Also, I take it that I should stick with Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, etc.?
 

bistwo

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Jul 27, 2011
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18,760


Yes you will not need an AC capable device, however most USB ports would have trouble with an adapter of that rate so consider the PCI-E type.