WiFi Options

TDreamer · October 13, 2018

I am building a new setup that requires a WiFi connection, and am looking for some recommendations.

I am having trouble finding the right motherboard.

I am leaning towards the MSI Z370M Gaming https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z370M-GAMING-PRO-AC/Overview but I have a question about the wifi card.

The card that comes with this particular mobo is: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/wireless/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-8265.html
The card I have in my personal build currently is (40% signal strength in similar location): https://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/cat-5519_Archer-T9E.html#overview

Which is better for throughput and range?
The MSI one looks weaker on both fronts, but it has MIMO, and I am also just not very sure.

Second question:
Is there a better one I could buy and add to a MOBO without on board WiFi that will not take up any lanes for the M.2 ssd or GPU?

Current router: Asus AC3100

Donut417 · October 14, 2018

1 hour ago, TDreamer said:

The MSI one looks weaker on both fronts, but it has MIMO, and I am also just not very sure.

The MSI one is a laptop card, technically all m.2 cards are for laptops though they do work in desktops as well. So yeah its a bit weaker. Desktop cards have the ability to have heat sinks meaning they can be faster and have the ability to dissipate the heat the AC chip set produces. If you look at the specs the intel card on 5Ghz tops out at 867Mbps while the TP Link card tops out at 1300 Mbps. The fact is either card will work. They both have external antennas, so I would assume they might pick up the signal around the same. The MSI one has the antennas on the top meaning it wont interfere with any devices plugged in.

Personally if it were me, Id just use the card supplied with the motherboard. BUT the fact is, if you do get a motherboard with WiFi included you still have the option to try the card your currently using, and test them both.

1 hour ago, TDreamer said:

Is there a better one I could buy and add to a MOBO without on board WiFi that will not take up any lanes for the M.2 ssd or GPU?

Not really. Well you can go USB which I have no faith in. OR you could try skipping WiFi and using Power line adapters or Moca adapters if Ethernet is not an option. Another option is a wireless bridge, which gives WiFi to devices with no WiFi capabilities, by plugging in to the Ethernet port.