Better Internet Solution?

[Spork829]

Recently upgraded my PC to a new motherboard (ASRock Z97 Extreme4). Since that board doesn't come with Wifi, I've been using a powerline adapter for Ethernet, as I'm on a different floor as the networking setup. It's a rather cheap adapter and doesn't work too great. The speeds are decent, but far too often (couple times an hour) it'll have a 3-15 second long tantrum and I'll have ping in the high hundreds or even thousands for a few seconds in a game. Obviously very annoying. Is there anything I can do to improve this and keep using the powerline adapter, or is it time to switch to something better? If so, would you recommend USB, M.2, or some other wifi solution (I'd rather not spend more than $60 or so)? Love LTT but brand new to the forum so I apologize if I did anything wrong.

[GuyNamedBrad]

Not being a fan of powerline adapters, have you tried running an ethernet cable from the switch/modem directly to your computer?

[Samfisher]

Really, any USB WiFi adapter from TP-Link will do the job.

[Mohenjo]

What power line adapter? im in the same situation and it only freaks out maybe one time a week. My router is downstairs. 

[Mohenjo]

1 minute ago, bradmonster said:

Not being a fan of powerline adapters, have you tried running an ethernet cable from the switch/modem directly to your computer?

You get better speed then wifi and tends to be more reliable, unless you can get 5ghz. But sometimes drilling holes isnt an option for people. 

[Mohenjo]

6 minutes ago, Spork829 said:

Recently upgraded my PC to a new motherboard (ASRock Z97 Extreme4). Since that board doesn't come with Wifi, I've been using a powerline adapter for Ethernet, as I'm on a different floor as the networking setup. It's a rather cheap adapter and doesn't work too great. The speeds are decent, but far too often (couple times an hour) it'll have a 3-15 second long tantrum and I'll have ping in the high hundreds or even thousands for a few seconds in a game. Obviously very annoying. Is there anything I can do to improve this and keep using the powerline adapter, or is it time to switch to something better? If so, would you recommend USB, M.2, or some other wifi solution (I'd rather not spend more than $60 or so)? Love LTT but brand new to the forum so I apologize if I did anything wrong.

This is what i use and its by far one of the best. 

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WPA4220KIT-ADVANCED-Powerline-Extender/dp/B00HSQAIQU/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1456865444&sr=1-3&keywords=tp+link+av500

[EmeraldKiwi]

I would spend that 60$ on a 100ft Ethernet cable and run it through the floor and to your PC.

[Mohenjo]

6 minutes ago, Spork829 said:

Recently upgraded my PC to a new motherboard (ASRock Z97 Extreme4). Since that board doesn't come with Wifi, I've been using a powerline adapter for Ethernet, as I'm on a different floor as the networking setup. It's a rather cheap adapter and doesn't work too great. The speeds are decent, but far too often (couple times an hour) it'll have a 3-15 second long tantrum and I'll have ping in the high hundreds or even thousands for a few seconds in a game. Obviously very annoying. Is there anything I can do to improve this and keep using the powerline adapter, or is it time to switch to something better? If so, would you recommend USB, M.2, or some other wifi solution (I'd rather not spend more than $60 or so)? Love LTT but brand new to the forum so I apologize if I did anything wrong.

and this is what my sister uses 

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-PA4010KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B00AWRUICG/ref=sr_1_5?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1456865477&sr=1-5&keywords=tp+link

 

Its good but nat AS good as the av500

[GuyNamedBrad]

2 minutes ago, Mohenjo said:

You get better speed then wifi and tends to be more reliable, unless you can get 5ghz. But sometimes drilling holes isnt an option for people. 

Very true and I don't know his situation but I know ethernet cables are very cheap so I was just thinking even temporally he could run it in the corners of the carpet or wall's baseboard.  

[Mohenjo]

Just now, bradmonster said:

Very true and I don't know his situation but I know ethernet cables are very cheap so I was just think even temporally he could run it in the corners of the carpet or wall's baseboard.  

i mean he would need to route a wire two stories  

[Mohenjo]

2 minutes ago, EmeraldKiwi said:

I would spend that 60$ on a 100ft Ethernet cable and run it through the floor and to your PC.

those are like 15 bucks lol 

[Spork829]

4 minutes ago, Mohenjo said:

You get better speed then wifi and tends to be more reliable, unless you can get 5ghz. But sometimes drilling holes isnt an option for people. 

Yeah, I'd need a 300 ft ethernet cable or a hole in the ceiling, neither of which are options for me.

[GuyNamedBrad]

Just now, Mohenjo said:

i mean he would need to route a wire two stories  

Oh snap I miss read that, he could fish it through the vents 

[Spork829]

3 minutes ago, Mohenjo said:

and this is what my sister uses 

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-PA4010KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B00AWRUICG/ref=sr_1_5?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1456865477&sr=1-5&keywords=tp+link

 

Its good but nat AS good as the av500

That looks like just about the same one I use, actually. I sure hope that it's not an issue with the motherboard.

[Mohenjo]

Just now, Spork829 said:

Yeah, I'd need a 300 ft ethernet cable or a hole in the ceiling, neither of which are options for me.

i know the feel. My dad doesnt want to deal with it and he wont let me do it 

 

how about a range extender? 

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Wi-Fi-Extender-Essentials-EX2700/dp/B00L0YLRUW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1456865658&sr=1-1&keywords=wifi+booster

 

There arnt many options for perfect wifi sadly. Also if you have comcast it only costs 30 dollars to add another coax plug to your wall maybe you could move the router to the second floor? 

[Mohenjo]

1 minute ago, Spork829 said:

That looks like just about the same one I use, actually. I sure hope that it's not an issue with the motherboard.

People seem to have a lot of issues with the cheaper one. you might want to invest in a better powerline TBH or a range extender 

[Spork829]

2 minutes ago, Mohenjo said:

i know the feel. My dad doesnt want to deal with it and he wont let me do it 

 

how about a range extender? 

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Wi-Fi-Extender-Essentials-EX2700/dp/B00L0YLRUW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1456865658&sr=1-1&keywords=wifi+booster

 

There arnt many options for perfect wifi sadly. Also if you have comcast it only costs 30 dollars to add another coax plug to your wall maybe you could move the router to the second floor? 

Before I switched out the motherboard, my old one which came from a pre-built PC had a Mini PCIE Wifi adapter with a little antenna on top, and that worked just fine. The Wifi in my room is fine, it's more a matter of the best way to enable this motherboard to use it.

[Mohenjo]

1 minute ago, Spork829 said:

Before I switched out the motherboard, my old one which came from a pre-built PC had a Mini PCIE Wifi adapter with a little antenna on top, and that worked just fine. The Wifi in my room is fine, it's more a matter of the best way to enable this motherboard to use it.

OH, easy just get one of these  

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WDN4800-Wireless-Express-Low-profile/dp/B007GMPZ0A

 

What motherboard do you have? 

[Spork829]

Just now, Mohenjo said:

OH, easy just get one of these  

http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WDN4800-Wireless-Express-Low-profile/dp/B007GMPZ0A

 

What motherboard do you have? 

Okay, that might work. I'm gonna hop over to my local Microcenter today and see what they have. Mobo

[Mohenjo]

2 minutes ago, Spork829 said:

Before I switched out the motherboard, my old one which came from a pre-built PC had a Mini PCIE Wifi adapter with a little antenna on top, and that worked just fine. The Wifi in my room is fine, it's more a matter of the best way to enable this motherboard to use it.

 

Just now, Spork829 said:

Okay, that might work. I'm gonna hop over to my local Microcenter today and see what they have. Mobo

ok good, i was worried that your Graphics card might cover up a mini pci slot (a problem with a lot fo mobos) But you should be able to get a PCI wifi card just fine! (pci wifi cards tend to be a lot better then usb wifi cards!) Try to pick up the one i linked as its popular and should be there. If not DO NOT CHEAP OUT on a wifi card. Make sure its a pci card and decent.