Windows 7: What wireless card should I get?

snapjaw · 08 Feb 2012

I got a new desktop computer but it has no wireless card yet. Im looking for one that can give me at least 300 - 400 mbps. I know the wireless speed depends on your router, ISP, modem and other factors, but right now im getting an average of 300 mbps on my laptop. This is the one im looking at right now

D-Link Xtreme N DWA-556 PCI Express Desktop Adapter
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DWA-556...725932&sr=8-11

I need to get a card with a PCIE 2.0x1 slot because thats the only slot i have left on my mother board. Amazon says the speed is only 54 mbps but i think thats on a or b networks. I think Ive read somewhere that this one can get up to 300mbps on a N network. Any help on my decision would be appreciated.

Lemur · 08 Feb 2012

From g to n, the increase is from 54mbps to 600mbps. That is, the standard for 802.11n is 600mpbs.

Buy it from newegg for a cheaper price:

Newegg.com - D-Link DWA-556 Xtreme Desktop Adapter IEEE 802.11g/n PCI Express Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA, WPA2)

snapjaw · 08 Feb 2012

A N network can output 600mbps but can this adapter recieve at a rate of 600mbps?

Lemur · 08 Feb 2012

The card is listed as G/N. Dunno why Amazon mentions 54 mbps, but Newegg does not do that.

**EDIT - oh, and it can only approach 600mbps if you have an N wireless router

snapjaw · 08 Feb 2012

I checked new egg.com but they dont have a rate in mbps listed for this model. They boast that its 14 times faster than g but dont put it in numbers. I just wanna b sure the COULD recieve more than 300mbps

Lemur · 08 Feb 2012

I think you have a point.

For instance, with Newegg, I specified up to 300 mbps.

And I find cards like:

Newegg.com - ASUS PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11b/g/n PCI Express 300/300Mbps Transfer/Receive Rate 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPS support

Newegg.com - D-Link DWA-566 Dual Band Wireless Adapter IEEE 802.11a/g/n PCI Express Up to 300Mbps Wireless Data Rates

But like you said, the card you mentioned does NOT show up. This is strange, but would give me pause from purchasing it.

snapjaw · 08 Feb 2012

Mabey its only PCI Express x16 cards that can get faster than 300mbps.

Lemur · 08 Feb 2012

That's very possible.

Qdos · 08 Feb 2012

I've only ever seen short PCiE type WiFi Cards unless they're custom made for certain motherboards (like was the case with the ASRock X48 Turbo-Twins WiFi board) and I would imagine you'd need a card that handles simultaneous 2.4Ghz and 5.0Ghz bands; and a matching dual band router to get your target speeds.

Otherwise I'd investigate plugging in a WiFi beacon/repeater to your PC's ethernet port if it has gigabit capabilities, and approaching things that way.

linnemeyerhere · 08 Feb 2012

snapjaw,
What is the make and model of your router you're using?

Windows 7: What wireless card should I get?

What wireless card should I get? problems?