How to choose m.2 wifi card

[zevid]

My current network setup is just USB wifi tethered to my phone mobile network.
My home wifi is still 2.4Ghz and it's so slow. I am about to add a new wifi subscription with 5Ghz for my work room.
What do I need to know on choosing wifi card for my system? I also want to have a bluetooth combo on the same card. Bluetooth will connect to my controller cause I game on the same PC sometimes.
Is there any requirement for which card is compatible with which processor? I have zero knowledge on this to be honest.

[StDragon]

For laptop or desktop? AMD or Intel CPU?

 

It matters, because there are known WiFi 7 compatibiulity issues depending on what CPU you have. And it gets more confusing with Intel laptops that use Intel CNVi.

You can go with a WiFi 6 adapter, but if you're going to be buying one, might as well for for WiFi7 even if you're not connecting at those standards. That is to say, a WiFi 7 card can often connect to a WiFi 6 router equal or more performant than a WiFi 6 card to a WiFi 6 router. Not much of a difference on that scenario, but I've noticed it.

[Timme]

Why do you insist on an m.2 adapter? 

4 hours ago, zevid said:

My current network setup is just USB wifi tethered to my phone mobile network.
My home wifi is still 2.4Ghz and it's so slow. I am about to add a new wifi subscription with 5Ghz for my work room.
What do I need to know on choosing wifi card for my system? I also want to have a bluetooth combo on the same card. Bluetooth will connect to my controller cause I game on the same PC sometimes.
Is there any requirement for which card is compatible with which processor? I have zero knowledge on this to be honest.

Wait, so the adapter is for a PC or a laptop? If it is for a PC, why not get a PCIe card?
Or even a couple of USB dongles - one for the wifi, another for Bluetooth with aptX support? 

[zevid]

12 hours ago, StDragon said:

For laptop or desktop? AMD or Intel CPU?

 

It matters, because there are known WiFi 7 compatibiulity issues depending on what CPU you have. And it gets more confusing with Intel laptops that use Intel CNVi.

You can go with a WiFi 6 adapter, but if you're going to be buying one, might as well for for WiFi7 even if you're not connecting at those standards. That is to say, a WiFi 7 card can often connect to a WiFi 6 router equal or more performant than a WiFi 6 card to a WiFi 6 router. Not much of a difference on that scenario, but I've noticed it.

Intel Desktop PC. If I can recall it, there is an m.2 B key available on my motherboard. I have 10th gen i3. Still on win10 and still not willing to upgrade to win11.

Since you said there are issues with wifi 7. I might as well choose wifi 6 for now and will upgrade to wifi 7 along with the whole setup later. Since I find no issues with the the performance currently. I only do audio processing and light gaming.

Did 10th gen support wifi 6?

[zevid]

9 hours ago, Timme said:

Why do you insist on an m.2 adapter? 

Wait, so the adapter is for a PC or a laptop? If it is for a PC, why not get a PCIe card?
Or even a couple of USB dongles - one for the wifi, another for Bluetooth with aptX support? 

My motherboard doesn't have a lot of USB slot. The 2 top rear USB is busted, already killed 2 keyboards. I actually have a Bluetooth USB dongle but didn't have aptx support and ended up not using it since I run out of slots. I also have audio interface that must connect to USB 3 slot. The rest is for USB flash drive transfers.

My USB wifi dongle is still runs at 2.4Ghz tho. That's why I'm looking for another adapter for my new wifi subscription. The reason I didn't choose pcie card is there was if I can recall, available m.2 B key on my motherboard so there will be more USB slots available for another audio interface that I would connect.