Motherboards with built in wifi

mralexking

Prominent
Mar 2, 2017
13
0
510
From my knowledge motherboards with "AC" or "WiFi" in their name contain wifi properties.

I am having trouble understanding if that means the motherboard is capable of wireless connection, and I still need to buy the network adapter thing that screws onto the traditionally gold head on these motherboards. Or if it means those motherboards have the connection onboard and I do not need to buy anything to connect to the internet.

If it depends, how can I tell which boards have true WiFi onboard?

Extra points:

I am planning a intel 6th or 7th generation build with 2 sticks of ddr4 2133 and a 500gb 2.5" ssd. What are some budget friendly motherboards with the built in WiFi that I am seeking?

Thanks in advance!

 
Solution
Literally any motherboard with a PCIe slot (read: all of them) can support wifi with a wireless adaptor add in card. If the motherboard lists "Wifi" or "AC" or something to that effect, it means it comes with a wireless adaptor.

KyleADunn

Honorable


https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157746&ignorebbr=1

I've built 2 desktops in the past couple weeks with this board. Pretty great board for the price. It has built in WiFi, which you just screw two antennas (they come with the board) into the back of the IO panel after you've put the board in.

Hope that helps.
 

mralexking

Prominent
Mar 2, 2017
13
0
510


Thank you! Yeah, it is confusing because some motherboards have pictures with the antennas, and some don't. And when I read the specifications it just says "WiFi-802.11ac" and that's it..
 
TJ Hooker is completley correct.

With that said you are much better off getting a PCI add on adapter then using the built in wifi on mothebroard.
Pointless to pay extra for a feature built into your motherboard that you would expect to upgrade faster then you rmotherboard.

Frankly though, using a powerline network adapter is better than wifi in most circumstnaces, second only to having a hard wired conenction direct from router (by far the best option).