USB WiFi speed half that of wired

3D Jed

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I am a complete noob re WiFi (alway use hard wired) but recently bought a cheap USB dongle described as 150Mbps 11n. On testing I found I was getting about 22Mbps download with the dongle (1 metre from router) compared to 62Mbps wired. Upload speed was about the same as wired.

A bit of Googling told me this was a simplex/duplex problem. I did a test with a friends laptop and got full speed, so its not my router (BT homehub) and I have the latest driver from Windows update. So - is this about par for a four quid WiFi dongle, or do I need to set some value or other to get duplex? I could see this half speed business being a problem for someone already on a low speed line.

usb_wifi.JPG
 

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Hi 3D Jed.

Could I have more details on the USB Dongle please?

Also is it a 3.0 USB? Maybe you friend has usb 3 and you only have usb 2?
 

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The dongle is connected to USB 2. The test with friend's laptop was using the LT built in WiFi, and down speed was about 55 Mbps ie full speed, which I guess shows the router is capable of full speed. The dongle box says 802.11n 150 Mbps - this one from Amazon in UK

WiFi WIRELESS 11 N USB ADAPTER LAN INTERNET NETWORK DONGLE FOR PC LAPTOP 150Mbps: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Like I said, I'm a WiFi noob who uses wired normally, but I also build computers for friends etc, and nowadays they often ask 'Is it wireless ?' - hence my interest in USB dongles.

edit : just remembered I have USB3 on back of box. Tested on that socket, but same speed.
 

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self build
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What speed is the router, ex: 802.11b/g/n?
 

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Ya if you see you can get up to speeds of 150 but here what it says
Data Rate: 6,9,12,18,24,36,48,54,108,150Mbps

I have one here which was just a cheap one like your's which doesn't get the full speed either if your looking to get the full speed you will need a better one. A lot of people get fooled by it including myself :) There's ones you can get for about £20 and above. I paid €12 for mine and it's not great.

Hope this helps you
 

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Just checked the router and its 802.11n. I think benji206 has the answer - its a cheap model. Not bad for 4 quid I s'pose.
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 pro x64 SP1Intel i7-2600k o/c to 4.6GHz8GB Mushkin 1866MHzNvidia GTX 750 Ti 2GB
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self build
OS
Windows 7 pro x64 SP1
CPU
Intel i7-2600k o/c to 4.6GHz
Motherboard
MSI Z68-GD80
Memory
8GB Mushkin 1866MHz
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 750 Ti 2GB
Sound Card
integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
Liyama ProLite 27"
Screen Resolution
1920*1080 px
Hard Drives
Seagate 2TB
PSU
Coolermaster GX 750W
Case
Antec 300 case + 5 fans
Cooling
Dark Rock Pro
Internet Speed
62Mbit down 18Mbit up
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Blackgold BGT3650 Quad HD TV card. Also have various 3770 + 4770K render boxes.
The D-Link DWA-130 will give you the full 300Mbps for practically nothing. The 802.11n Only setting and using channel bonding "20-40Mhz" setting might get you more from your current wireless NIC.
Amazon.com: dwa-130

But I like the one I'm using now the best. :)
 

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Just checked the router and its 802.11n. I think benji206 has the answer - its a cheap model. Not bad for 4 quid I s'pose.
If a quid is one pound, that is only $6.12 and is a little cheap.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No buil...16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GBASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built Desktop By DataTech
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
CPU
Intel i5-2550K, Differing ~4.4-4.8GHz No built in GPU
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Memory
16GB G.Skill Sniper 1866MHz @ 2133MHz 2x8GB
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS GTX650TIB-DC2OC-2GD5, (650TI Boost)
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek 5-1
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung P2570HD
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD for OS, 500GB Seagate Constellation (Enterprise drive) for Data
PSU
Corsair HX650W
Case
Inwin Dragon Rider
Cooling
Hyper 212 EVO w/two Noctua fans, push-pull, @1300 RPM
Keyboard
E-Z Eyes, bright yellow keys with large characters
Mouse
steelseries SENSEI Laser Pro Gaming
Internet Speed
48-51Mbs Mbs down, 11 Mbs up Xfinity Cable
Antivirus
Norton Internet Security 2013
Browser
IE 10, Opera, Pale Moon if needed
Other Info
4 case fans, LG BluRay-RE, ASUS DVD-RW, Mr. Fusion power supply, 1.21 gigawatts.
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