New Wifi Hardware

[Rodrigo412]

Hello,

I got an Asus a556u with a wifi Card:

asus 0c011-00061h00

Wireless Network Adapter: Qualcomm Atheros AR956x

Adapter Type: IEEE 802.11 Wireless

 

I would like to change it for one that supports 802.11 ac, how do I determine if it is compatible with my laptop, so I know which one to buy?

 

Thanks in advance!
Rodrigo

[Falcon1986]

2 hours ago, Rodrigo412 said:

how do I determine if it is compatible with my laptop, so I know which one to buy?

Start by sharing the exact make/model of your laptop.

 

Also, you can open the laptop and search for the WiFi adapter to see what kind of form factor you’re working with and if it’s even replaceable to begin with.

[Rodrigo412]

6 minutes ago, Falcon1986 said:

Start by sharing the exact make/model of your laptop.

 

Also, you can open the laptop and search for the WiFi adapter to see what kind of form factor you’re working with and if it’s even replaceable to begin with.

Hello Falcon,

 

thanks for your answer.

 

The Laptop is a Asus a556UQ-DM1010T.

 

Attached on the photo you will find the Wifi adapter I have.

Greetings

Rodrigo

[Falcon1986]

1 hour ago, Rodrigo412 said:

Attached on the photo you will find the Wifi adapter I have.

While that slot looks like it will take any M.2/NGFF WiFi adapter with at least an E-key, your existing card only supports a single antenna (hence the single wire going to it).

 

If you don’t see a separate wire you might not be able to take full advantage of a dual-band WiFi adapter. In this scenario, while it is not going to offer the best performance, a USB adapter might be the only way to go. I would go with one that has a USB extension and cradle (e.g. this or this) so you can adjust positions for optimal reception.

 

However, if there is an extra cable there, then any Intel AX200 or AX210 should work fine. These are of the WiFi 6/6E generation, but are backward-compatible with WiFi 5 APs (wireless-AC) and are fairly inexpensive.

[Rodrigo412]

On 4/5/2021 at 9:35 PM, Falcon1986 said:

While that slot looks like it will take any M.2/NGFF WiFi adapter with at least an E-key, your existing card only supports a single antenna (hence the single wire going to it).

 

If you don’t see a separate wire you might not be able to take full advantage of a dual-band WiFi adapter. In this scenario, while it is not going to offer the best performance, a USB adapter might be the only way to go. I would go with one that has a USB extension and cradle (e.g. this or this) so you can adjust positions for optimal reception.

 

However, if there is an extra cable there, then any Intel AX200 or AX210 should work fine. These are of the WiFi 6/6E generation, but are backward-compatible with WiFi 5 APs (wireless-AC) and are fairly inexpensive.

Hello Falcon,

 

thanks for all the insights.

 

I have one more question, at this moment my download speed reaches max 6-7 MB/s, when you say dual band you mean 2.4 and 5G? And If I Install any M.2 Wifi adapter (only connecting the cable to the "main") that has Bluetooth and Wifi 802.11 ac should it still be faster even if it is 2.4 G?

 

(I ask, because I have a notebook with 802.11 ac and even if I connect to the 2.4 G I reach 30-35 Mb/s easily)

Thanks in advance!
Rodrigo

[Rodrigo412]

On 4/7/2021 at 4:25 PM, Rodrigo412 said:

Hello Falcon,

 

thanks for all the insights.

 

I have one more question, at this moment my download speed reaches max 6-7 MB/s, when you say dual band you mean 2.4 and 5G? And If I Install any M.2 Wifi adapter (only connecting the cable to the "main") that has Bluetooth and Wifi 802.11 ac should it still be faster even if it is 2.4 G?

 

(I ask, because I have a notebook with 802.11 ac and even if I connect to the 2.4 G I reach 30-35 Mb/s easily)

Thanks in advance!
Rodrigo

Up

[Falcon1986]

On 4/7/2021 at 3:25 PM, Rodrigo412 said:

when you say dual band you mean 2.4 and 5G?

Yes.

 

On 4/7/2021 at 3:25 PM, Rodrigo412 said:

And If I Install any M.2 Wifi adapter (only connecting the cable to the "main") that has Bluetooth and Wifi 802.11 ac should it still be faster even if it is 2.4 G?

It might. But nothing is guaranteed.

 

On 4/7/2021 at 3:25 PM, Rodrigo412 said:

(I ask, because I have a notebook with 802.11 ac and even if I connect to the 2.4 G I reach 30-35 Mb/s easily)

Depends on the wireless chipset. Some perform better than others as newer generations can add optimizations that older tech didn't have before.