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ivan134
By ivan134
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Are USB wireless cards any good? Does 2.0 vs 3.0 make a difference?

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Are USB wireless cards any good? Does 2.0 vs 3.0 make a difference?

They're fine if you have to use them in something like a laptop but for a desktop, I would strongly suggest a PCI-E card.

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They're fine if you have to use them in something like a laptop but for a desktop, I would strongly suggest a PCI-E card.

Yea I know PCI-E is desirable, but I'm trying to decide between an ITX and mATX build, and this is pretty much the deal breaker here. I'd like to avoid dealing with mini PCI cards.

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Yea I know PCI-E is desirable, but I'm trying to decide between an ITX and mATX build, and this is pretty much the deal breaker here. I'd like to avoid dealing with mini PCI cards.

Well if you can get a USB wifi with a moving Antenna

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Well if you can get a USB wifi with a moving Antenna

That's a thing? Can you show me some?

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I have used usb wireless in the past and as long as you don't get a cheep one it should be ok, but I know people who have said they can be a bit temperamental. I have one for when I am working on other systems and cannot plug a cable in and it works just fine. 

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Are USB wireless cards any good? Does 2.0 vs 3.0 make a difference?

USB 2 and 3 does not make a difference unless you have gigabit. Also what wireless standards are you working with?

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I use the Asus USB-AC56 on my desktop. Works great for me. It's USB 3.0 and I use it on an extension to place it in a slightly better spot. Cheapo USB wireless adapters are junk, but a good one should be just fine. Wireless N and below is is fine on usb2.0, but I'd get a usb3.0 adapter if using wireless ac.

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USB 2 and 3 does not make a difference unless you have gigabit. Also what wireless standards are you working with?

I have N, but I stick to G since my connection seems more stable on it. I'm not sure if it has to do with the age of the router. I don't experience slow speeds in anything I do, including games, so I haven't bothered. I'd probably prefer to get an AC WiFi card though for when I eventually upgrade the router.

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Lol, it looks funny, but I don't care as long as it works. Is it a reliable product?

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USB 2 and 3 does not make a difference unless you have gigabit. Also what wireless standards are you working with?

This isn't actually true.

 

USB 3.0 is all around a better standard, and USB 2.0 can be easily saturated by even a 50/50 Mbps connection, not to mention that USB 2.0 wifi cards tend to be worse.

 

USB 2.0 isn't full duplex, and it doesn't support as powerful as devices (many USB 3.0 antennas have to power down to use usb 2.0 connections, like the example below.)

 

@OP I would highly recommend a USB 3.0 Wireless AC adapter. While such devices may be a bit more expensive now, the rate of internet speed growths and wireless standards is such that said device will work amazingly for you long down the line.

 

Furthermore, USB 3.0 Wireless AC adapters like this one (I used with both my laptops when traveling) http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-AC1200-Wi-Fi-Adapter-A6210-100PAS/dp/B00MRVJY1G have a much better range than many pcie variants and allow for discreet positioning if on the edge of a network (over the summer I worked in Chicago and this device was literally the difference between 30 Mbps and .1)

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This isn't actually true.

 

USB 3.0 is all around a better standard, and USB 2.0 can be easily saturated by even a 50/50 Mbps connection, not to mention that USB 2.0 wifi cards tend to be worse.

 

USB 2.0 isn't full duplex, and it doesn't support as powerful as devices (many USB 3.0 antennas have to power down to use usb 2.0 connections, like the example below.)

 

@OP I would highly recommend a USB 3.0 Wireless AC adapter. While such devices may be a bit more expensive now, the rate of internet speed growths and wireless standards is such that said device will work amazingly for you long down the line.

 

Furthermore, USB 3.0 Wireless AC adapters like this one (I used with both my laptops when traveling) http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-AC1200-Wi-Fi-Adapter-A6210-100PAS/dp/B00MRVJY1G have a much better range than many pcie variants and allow for discreet positioning if on the edge of a network (over the summer I worked in Chicago and this device was literally the difference between 30 Mbps and .1)

Thanks. This is really good info, but that is still more than I would like to pay. Is this one any good?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315123&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

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So I don't know anything about that product, but in theory it should work.

 

The equivalent pcie add in card would be this:

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HF8K0O6/?tag=pcpapi-20

 

Also if doing an ITX system, I'd consider just getting one with wifi included.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#e=31&sort=a8&page=1&f=8

 

In the end it will probably be the most cost efficient option.

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Thanks for all the help guys

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