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Best Wi-fi adapter?

Filipe Campos
By Filipe Campos
in Networking
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Hi, I'm looking for a new wi-fi adapter because my old one used extra software that for some reason isn't working in windows 10.

Should I buy a usb or PCI? It should be like 10-20€ nothing fancy

What brand / model should I be looking at?

And if it is PCI is it just putting it in place and it works or I need to plug a cable into it and / or configure on the pc?

(I'm really noob in networking)

Thanks in advance =)

 

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is a ISP one

That is not a good sign but it is also not enough information.  Is it Wireless N? AC?  G?  even older?  How many "links" can it make?  1? 2? 3?

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snip

 

Don't make multiple topics for the same thing. Your question will be answered in due time.

 

I would recommend something that connects through PCI, as PCI gives more bandwidth than USB. Try to look for something that is 802.11AC certified, as that wifi standard gives the most speed. However, you may not need that because most modern wireless routers only suppourt 802.11n. It depends on what router you have. As far as brands go, asus and other brands popular in other PC parts also make some networking things that are pretty reliable and perform well.

 

A few things that may work:

In your budget: (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00N7474CS?keywords=PCi%20wifi%20adapter%20AC&qid=1445810053&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1)

A bit out of your budget: (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MI8LRWM?keywords=PCi%20wifi%20adapter%20AC&qid=1445810053&ref_=sr_1_5&sr=8-5) The antennas make for better signal in most situation. But the intel one above should work fine as well.

"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party."

-Ron White
 

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I would recommend something that connects through PCI, as PCI gives more bandwidth than USB. 

 

I assume you mean PCIe

Yes, PCIe does offer more bandwidth, but it will never matter since the speed of your wifi, and your internet as well for that matter will never be enough to exceed what USB 3 can do.  That said, I also agree you should go with a PCI adapter because then it is inside your case and out of the way, it does not waste a USB 3 port, and they tend to have much better connections due to having better antennas.

 

 

Try to look for something that is 802.11AC certified, as that wifi standard gives the most speed.

 

Yes, but unless your router is also AC, it won't make a difference (as you mentioned).  That said, still go for it since you might upgrade your router in the near future (hopefully near future, if you are using an ISP provided one).

 

most modern wireless routers only suppourt 802.11n.

 

mm, no I don't think so.  Most older or very low end wireless routers support only 802.11n, but any half decent modern wireless router will have AC.

Solve your own audio issues  |  First Steps with RPi 3  |  Humidity & Condensation  |  Sleep & Hibernation  |  Overclocking RAM  |  Making Backups  |  Displays  |  4K / 8K / 16K / etc.  |  Do I need 80+ Platinum?

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mm, no I don't think so.  Most older or very low end wireless routers support only 802.11n, but any half decent modern wireless router will have AC.

The two ISPs I've used have given me 802.11n routers... Unless you want to pay big bucks for an AC router upgrade, at which point it would be cheaper to add a third-party one. I never really cared because I used wired anyway...

 

 

I assume you mean PCIe

Yeah, thanks.

"I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party."

-Ron White
 

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The two ISPs I've used have given me 802.11n routers... Unless you want to pay big bucks for an AC router upgrade, at which point it would be cheaper to add a third-party one. I never really cared because I used wired anyway...

Oh well yeah of course the ISP ones are absolute garbage. Not only will they probably be an outdated technology, but they will be the lowest end everything possible.  My recommendation is always get an actual router and just bridge it so your ISP one is just passing data over Ethernet straight into your real router and not doing anything itself

Solve your own audio issues  |  First Steps with RPi 3  |  Humidity & Condensation  |  Sleep & Hibernation  |  Overclocking RAM  |  Making Backups  |  Displays  |  4K / 8K / 16K / etc.  |  Do I need 80+ Platinum?

If you can read this you're using the wrong theme.  You can change it at the bottom.

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