Best network cards

cummerou1 · January 11, 2020

Looking to purchase a network card for my second PC, not looking to spend more than 40 pounds.
I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations? The one I bought for my first PC is the "TP-LINK TL-WDN4800 N900 Wireless Dual Band PCI Express Adapter"

It was recommended from someone here, but it is no longer available for purchase.

Thank you in advance

mariushm · January 11, 2020

your decision should be based on what router or wireless modem you have

is it only 2.4 ghz, or does it have 5 ghz

are you far from the router, do you have many walls between you and the router? If you're far, 2.4 ghz may be more stable (lower latency but probably less speed, and depending on location you may have too many 2.4 ghz networks around you generating noise and lowering the signal quality)

what's the highest bandwidth the router can do, does the router/modem support "dual channel", using mimo or multiple antennas to get higher bandwidth?

The card you bought is just 802.11n , maximum 450 mbps on both 2.4g or 5g , but most likely you'll get something like 300mbps between you and the router.

In 40 UK pounds you should be able to find one card that supports 802.11ac 5ghz and 866 mbps or even higher.

You have for example

35 GBP TP-Link Archer T6E 400mbps on 2.4g , 867mbps on 5 ghz : https://www.amazon.co.uk/T6E-Archer-Wireless-Interface-Low-Profile/dp/B013HCNTZU/

There's probably even better deals out there...