What wireless card should I get?

[snapjaw]

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]

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]

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

 

[Lemur]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Lemur]

That's very possible.

 

[Qdos]

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]

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

 

[snapjaw]

I have a Netgear router. N300 Wireless Router WNR2000. My laptop can get up to 400mbps so i want my new computer to b faster if possible.

 

[Lemur]

Something else to think about. You can have 300 mbps, but if your ISP has a download speed of 10 mbps, that will be the limiting factor. Of course you can transfer pc to pc wirelessly.

 

[snapjaw]

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.

Whats this WiFi beacon your talking about? Do you mean instead of having a wireless card that can recieve at 500mbps, I get a becon which can recieve at 500mbps and transfer that signal to my computer through a ethernet cord?

 

[snapjaw]

Mabey this USB wireless adapter would work better than a wireless card.
TRENDnet | Products | 450Mbps Wireless N Adapters | TEW-684UB

This adpater should have a rate of 450 mbps for uploading and downloading. The only thing is, I thought USB wireless adapters were less effective compared to wireless cards. USB adpaters are supposed to be convienent but not as fast, and PCIe cards are supposed to be harder to plug in but have better reception. How is it that this adapter can recieve at 450mbps if a wireless PCIe x1 card can not?

 

[snapjaw]

Ok I think im just about done researching and these are the two best choices I can find.
USB
TRENDnet | Products | 450Mbps Wireless N Adapters | TEW-684UB

PCIe 2.0(x1)
TL-WDN4800 - Welcome to TP-LINK

These both state they offer 450mbps and I cant find anyting that has faster rates. The choice is between USB or PCIe x1. USB should be more conveinent, and better reception(because its not blocked by the case) but wont be able to disapate heat as well or as long a range as PCIe. PCI should have better range and heat disapating ability. What now?

 

[Warlockz]

Dang I didn't know they have 450Mbps Internet connections? mine only runs at like 20mbps down and 4-5Mbps Up, I hear that they have super fast connections in Europe though?

 

[snapjaw]

I think its 450 mega BITS per second. 8 bits equals a byte so 400 mbps equals 56.25 MBps. In bits your network runs at 160 bits per second.

 

[Lemur]

mbps is bits, not bytes.

802.11n - Do You Really Need to Upgrade to Wireless-N?

 

[DeaconFrost]

Something else to think about. You can have 300 mbps, but if your ISP has a download speed of 10 mbps, that will be the limiting factor. Of course you can transfer pc to pc wirelessly.

Thank you...was waiting for someone to give the most important bit of information.

The speeds you are worrying about are far more than what your actual connection to the internet is. Any wireless adapter above B will be more than capable of handling whatever your ISP brings to your house.

That's like spending extra money to make sure a car goes from 150 mph to 200 mph, even though speed limits may be 55-65 mph.

 

[Lemur]

+1 to Deacon (can't give you more rep until I spread it around some more)