is powerline worth it?

[junderland_]

so i im getting a new computer, and i not sure if i should get a $70 wireless network card, or get powerline for the nearly the same price. and ive tried powerline before but it seems that it just loses connection everyday, for no reason, that i can explain. and i was using the TP-link AV500 starter pack. is im not sure what to get. and i should mention that i live a suburban area, with 4 other family members, all using the wifi. and my isp is centurylink.

[AustinJ]

A $70 Network Card! I think there is better options

[Sam Z Man]

It depends on your houses wiring.

[TheSLSAMG]

It depends on your houses wiring.

This. Powerline is a piece of tech that is really dependent on a couple of variables. The first one is when your house was built, the second one is how good of a wiring job was done (taking into consideration the quality of the materials, etc.) For most people, it's not all that viable as it ends up providing WiFi-like speeds with Ethernet-like latency. And OP, don't spend $70 on a wireless card unless you know you're going to be able to utilize all of it's features. Gigabyte makes an Intel-based WiFi AC dual-band solution that works fine. http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Bluetooth-Expansion-Components-GC-WB867D-I/dp/B00HF8K0O6

[KemoKa]

If you have good wiring, then sure. If not, then absolutely not. I would say the best option would be to just string an ethernet cable through your house. You can get a decent length of cable and wire/crimp the connectors yourself. or set up another router as an access point wired to your PC.

[Blake]

in order of best to worst, in terms of performance.

Fibre (optical)

Fibre (copper - read ethernet)

Powerline

string and cups.

Dial up.

wifi /s (ok, mabye move it up one place... or two places if your have very poor sting)

[techguru]

so i im getting a new computer, and i not sure if i should get a $70 wireless network card, or get powerline for the nearly the same price. and ive tried powerline before but it seems that it just loses connection everyday, for no reason, that i can explain. and i was using the TP-link AV500 starter pack. is im not sure what to get. and i should mention that i live a suburban area, with 4 other family members, all using the wifi. and my isp is centurylink.

pop the face plate off a wall outlet..get a flash light..and see if you have copper wiring or aluminum wiring (or knob and tube)

[junderland_]

If you have good wiring, then sure. If not, then absolutely not. I would say the best option would be to just string an ethernet cable through your house. You can get a decent length of cable and wire/crimp the connectors yourself. or set up another router as an access point wired to your PC.

if it helps my house was made in the 1980s

[techguru]

if it helps my house was made in the 1980s

try what I said first

and report back

[junderland_]

try what I said first

and report back

i did that but i dont know how to tell, the difference, between copper and aluminum wiring, because the wires are sleeved 

[junderland_]

one wire is brown, and the other wire is white. does that help?

[SnafuPossum]

what color are the ends exposed connected to the outlet/switch?

[techguru]

one wire is brown, and the other wire is white. does that help?

you should be able to see the bare wire connected to the wall outlet...just don't touch anything in there

get a flash light if you can't see it well

[junderland_]

i had a look and all i can see is 1 bare wire that is copper. i cant see any bare ends, cause all of them are sleeved with white or brown plastic sleeveing. and this wire is connected in the middle of the socket and is off the left.