Quick question w/r/t wireless antenna

[VoltySquirrel]

So, I just got my PCIe wireless card (the Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I, to be exact) in the mail and got it installed. It's all up and running smoothly. However, the antenna is kind of unsightly. My NZXT S340 is this clean black box and then at the top is this black piece of plastic just jutting up. So, I'm just curious: if I were to leave the antenna inside the case (by routing the cords from the outside in), how much of a signal degredation am I looking at? Would it negligible? Noticeable? I'll probably end up leaving it on top but I was just wondering. Thanks.

[Pcinacan]

4 minutes ago, VoltySquirrel said:

So, I just got my PCIe wireless card (the Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I, to be exact) in the mail and got it installed. It's all up and running smoothly. However, the antenna is kind of unsightly. My NZXT S340 is this clean black box and then at the top is this black piece of plastic just jutting up. So, I'm just curious: if I were to leave the antenna inside the case (by routing the cords from the outside in), how much of a signal degredation am I looking at? Would it negligible? Noticeable? I'll probably end up leaving it on top but I was just wondering. Thanks.

there is only one way to find out. bench it with speedtest.net 

[VoltySquirrel]

I'll report back from the frontlines soon then.

[Wiflare]

22 minutes ago, VoltySquirrel said:

So, I just got my PCIe wireless card (the Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I, to be exact) in the mail and got it installed. It's all up and running smoothly. However, the antenna is kind of unsightly. My NZXT S340 is this clean black box and then at the top is this black piece of plastic just jutting up. So, I'm just curious: if I were to leave the antenna inside the case (by routing the cords from the outside in), how much of a signal degredation am I looking at? Would it negligible? Noticeable? I'll probably end up leaving it on top but I was just wondering. Thanks.

Maybe route it sticking down underneath the table?

or on a monitor?

[VoltySquirrel]

I certainly could, but it was just a thought that crossed my mind.

 

Regardless, I did the test. First, I ran both fast.com and speedtest.net, with speedtest getting two tests of it's own: one to a server local to Hawaii (where I live) and one in San Francisco. Then, I did the same tests inside the case. Then I did each again to see if speeds were repeatable.

 

Outside Test #1:

Fast.com: 41Mbps

Speedtest to Hawaii: 71Mbps down, 23 Mbps up

Speedtest to San Francisco: 42Mbps down, 21Mbps up

 

Outside Test #2:

Fast.com: 43Mbps

Speedtest to Hawaii: 72Mbps down, 24Mbps up

Speedtest to San Francisco: 51Mbps down, 21Mbps up

 

Inside Test #1:

Fast.com: 34Mbps

Speedtest to Hawaii: 62Mbps down, 23Mbps up

Speedtest to San Francisco: 36Mbps down, 19Mbps up

 

Inside Test #2:

Fast.com: 34Mbps

Speedtest to Hawaii: 64Mbps down, 23Mbps up

Speedtest to San Francisco: 42Mbps down, 20Mbps up

 

I think it's pretty safe to say there's some signal degredation there. Something in the range of 15-25% decrease in speeds. 

[Naeaes]

open cmd.exe and type in 

ping 192.168.0.1 -t

or whatever your router's local IP is. the -t attribute will make it continue pinging until you close the window or hit CTRL+C. It'll keep going even if you unplug the antenna making it lose the connection altogether. With that running, you can then test out different scenarios easily. My reasoning is, you'll want to rule out as many unrelated variables such as the speedtest servers or your ISP and even your modem(side of the router). You'll see worse connection as bigger ping or the very least as jitter (ping going up and down rapidly) Ping will be more affected by interference than the download speed.

 

I'm guessing the case will hinder the connection. One reason they make computer cases out of metal is that it's supposed to contain electromagnetic radiation.

[VoltySquirrel]

At the beginning I assumed that case would hinder connection. I just felt like testing it out because why not. However, I don't really feel like testing it anymore. I found a spot on the outside of the case to stick the antenna and it looks pretty okay. Not too noticeable from the viewing angle the case will most bee looking at from. Thanks for the tip though.