PC bluetooth that doesn't SUCK?

Baryn · April 14, 2019

I can listen to a podcast on my phone on bluetooth headphones from anywhere in my apartment, but the supposed class 2 bluetooth dongle inserted into my PC's front I/O drops audio if I tilt my head the wrong way. Forget about using a bluetooth gaming controller or other input.

I've actually gotten good results plugging the dongle into a USB cable and running that to the back of the case, then resting the dongle on top of the case itself. But a few people here can probably appreciate why I'd want a more elegant solution.

Hoping that someone's familiar with a more prosumer-grade adapter that isn't quite so sensitive, but I'm open to any suggestions.

Daniel Z. · April 14, 2019

If you'd be okay with using up a PCIE 1x slot, there's a nice Gigabyte wifi and bluetooth card that also includes a USB slot for if you want to hide a wireless keyboard dongle or whatever. https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tTdqqs/gigabyte-wireless-network-card-gcwb867di

jiyeon · April 14, 2019

7 minutes ago, Daniel Z. said:

If you'd be okay with using up a PCIE 1x slot, there's a nice Gigabyte wifi and bluetooth card

I actually have that Wi-Fi card in my PC, only I have the 1733Mbps model.

I highly recommend OP to get this one, the Bluetooth is super reliable.

I've been able to connect my Jaybird X3 to my PC no problem and the audio quality is strong.

Baryn · April 15, 2019

Thanks guys, because of your replies, I was able to find a good solution... that I already owned.

I noticed that Bluetooth and WiFi seem to come bundled together in a lot of adapters. So, I installed my motherboard's massive WiFi antenna (I've never used WiFi for my PC's connection).

Lo and behold, my motherboard's own Bluetooth 5.0 range went from about 3 inches to approximately one million miles, even tucked behind my case like a mutant half-sibling.

Sorry if this is cringe and noobish to anyone reading. This isn't my first time at the rodeo, but never have I seen any human nor documentation state that the "WiFi antenna" might also be used for onboard Bluetooth.