Mobo w/ WiFi or Separate WiFi adapter

[Vek1313]

I guess it’d depend on the motherboard, but is it better to just get a motherboard with WiFi capabilities or just getting a separate adapter? Is there that much of a difference from anyone’s experiences?

[Radium_Angel]

2 minutes ago, UnleashedPride said:

I guess it’d depend on the motherboard, but is it better to just get a motherboard with WiFi capabilities or just getting a separate adapter? Is there that much of a difference from anyone’s experiences?

I've used both. No difference that I've ever seen.

[SliceT]

^Depends on the models you use, generally motherboards dont use high end wlans so you might get better signal using a higher quality adapter.

[Jon Jon]

I would use integrated, just so you aren't tying up a USB port with a Wi-Fi card.

[dualcells]

If you buy a $20 USB WiFi adapter don't expect much. I did and later found it was only supported in Windows 7 and had to toss it when I upgraded.

 

A good 2x2 external antennae connected to a PCI-E card can feel like your computer is wired.

[Vek1313]

2 hours ago, dualcells said:

If you buy a $20 USB WiFi adapter don't expect much. I did and later found it was only supported in Windows 7 and had to toss it when I upgraded.

 

A good 2x2 external antennae connected to a PCI-E card can feel like your computer is wired.

 

2 hours ago, Jon Jon said:

I would use integrated, just so you aren't tying up a USB port with a Wi-Fi card.

 

4 hours ago, SliceT said:

^Depends on the models you use, generally motherboards dont use high end wlans so you might get better signal using a higher quality adapter.

 

8 hours ago, Radium_Angel said:

I've used both. No difference that I've ever seen.

I would either go with this motherboard: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tqKhP6/asus-maximus-x-hero-wi-fi-ac-atx-lga1151-motherboard-maximus-x-hero-wi-fi-ac

or this WiFi adapter: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8VMFf7/asus-wireless-network-card-pceac68

[Emberstone]

40 minutes ago, UnleashedPride said:

or this WiFi adapter: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8VMFf7/asus-wireless-network-card-pceac68

I have that card and can confirm that it's pretty awesome. That coupled with my Netgear Nighthawk something-or-other router feels pretty much the same as hardwired. Ping in Overwatch or Heroes of the Storm are both around 7 or 8 ms.

[Vek1313]

7 minutes ago, Emberstone said:

I have that card and can confirm that it's pretty awesome. That coupled with my Netgear Nighthawk something-or-other router feels pretty much the same as hardwired. Ping in Overwatch or Heroes of the Storm are both around 7 or 8 ms.

Do you experience many connection drop offs?

[Emberstone]

1 hour ago, UnleashedPride said:

Do you experience many connection drop offs?

Zero. My experience is identical to what it was when I was hardwired.

 

I had to buy a wireless card because the house I moved into couldn't be drilled into to run ethernet through the ceilings (landlord won't allow it), so I had to get a wifi adapter. I haven't noticed any difference at all since I had to make the switch after I moved.