PCI-E WiFi Cards or USB WiFi for a new computer. Pls recommend

watupman on 24/07/2020 - 15:38
Last edited 24/07/2020 - 15:41

Hi guys,

I recently bought a prebuilt computer and I didn't realise it did not come with usb wifi.

Can you please recommend either PCI-E wifi cards or USB WiFi? I did some research online but they are too many different brands and costs caries as well :( I have Telstra NBN and I was looking at products like these

https://www.pcbyte.com.au/store/product/volans-ac600-mini-wi…

https://www.pcbyte.com.au/store/product/simplecom-nw611-ac60…

Or would PCI-E wifi cards be better for connectivity?

My computer spec is this

Base spec - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500X - GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6GB - RAM: 8GB (1 x 8GB) 2666MHz DDR4 RAM - Motherboard: A320M - SSD: 240GB - PSU: 550W - Case: Leaper Air Mini RGB case

Also, fans in computer does not automatically switch on unless I manually switch it on with a remote control. Should I have the fans on all the time?

Thanks guys!

I appreciate it so much!

Computing

Comments

  • Hybroid on 24/07/2020 - 15:43
    +2

    Is this your motherboard: https://www.asrock.com/mb/photo/A320M(L1).png

    If so, check to see if the smaller PCIe x1 slot above graphics card is free.

    If so, suggest a PCIe card would give you better signal strength and fewer compatibility issues although likely to be more expensive than a USB solution. PCIe card can also have Bluetooth added.

    Depends on your budget and whether you want latest WiFi6/Bluetooth, strong antennas if you have weak WiFi signal or just happy with simple connection for browsing.

    TP-Link is generally a reliable no-nonsense works-out-of-the-box brand.

    • watupman on 24/07/2020 - 15:54

      Thanks for your reply Hybroid. I am only going to use the PC for gaming :) Should I definitely get something like
      https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/tp-link-30… this?

      This is my first PC ever and I have no idea how to check out PCIe x1 slots. I am such a computer noob :(

      • Hybroid on 24/07/2020 - 15:57
        +1

        That should do the job fine provided you don't have a faster than 300 Mbit internet connection (unlikely) and not too far away from modem/router unit.

        Simple pop the case side panel off and see if that slot is free and able to accomodate the card.

        Note it's $24 if you have Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com.au/TP-Link-Wireless-PCI-Express-Adapt…

        • watupman on 24/07/2020 - 16:15

          Thanks Hybroid :)
          I have moderm downstairs and my PC upstairs approximately 7m apart from each other. this one should do the job yeah?

          Thanks!

          • Hybroid on 24/07/2020 - 16:17
            +1

            @watupman: It'll have a similar performance to a standard laptop WiFi connection but yes, I think it'll do the job fine for the price. If not, just return it to either Officeworks/Amazon. Good luck!

            • watupman on 24/07/2020 - 16:33

              @Hybroid: Does this look like I have free slot for PCle x1 ?
              I took a pic of it.
              https://ibb.co/GV15pfB
              So sorry for keep asking questions my man

              • Hybroid on 24/07/2020 - 17:40

                @watupman: That's perfectly fine, happy to help. Can you take a pic of the left hand side of the board where the graphics card is or is that literally the whole board? Can't seem to find the PCIe x1 slot.

                • qkqnxogus on 24/07/2020 - 19:33

                  @Hybroid: https://ibb.co/nD85nvR
                  Here is it :) you are such a nice person

                  • Hybroid on 24/07/2020 - 19:37
                    +1

                    @qkqnxogus: Thanks, there it is but on that basis, I would not recommend a PCIe x1 WiFi card as it'll significantly reduce airflow into your GPU intake fan which is far more important. Opt for a USB adapter instead.

      • Twirlypiglet on 24/07/2020 - 16:20
        +2

        I bought this from officeworks and found the connection to be very bad as it would only have 1 bar of wifi connection whereas my phone and PS4 has 3/4 bars. It also only works with 2.4ghz. Repeat it does NOT work with 5ghz.

        I bought a cheap ($7) dual band USB adapter from Amazon AU and it works so much better.

        • watupman on 24/07/2020 - 16:43

          Hi Twirlypiglet,

          Are you referring to TP-LINK 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adaptor?

  • Shaolinking on 24/07/2020 - 15:55
    +5

    Personal experience, go with PCIe Wifi card is better for long term and reliability. I found the USB solution is very unstable. (I have an Asus AX11000 router). It's slightly more expensive yes, because it's like an extension to your motherboard, not accessory.

    Tip: If you router has Wifi6, do get a wifi6-enabled Wifi card.

    • watupman on 24/07/2020 - 16:17

      Our modem is about a year old. This shouldn't have Wifi6 right? Do you recommend any PCIe?
      Thank you :)

      • Shaolinking on 24/07/2020 - 17:23

        Not necessary, just check your box or model number. You can still use any non-wifi6 card for the router, all good. TP-link usually the cheapest still offering great hardware.

  • smashman42 on 24/07/2020 - 16:27
    +2

    I've got an Asus PCIe card combo WiFi and Bluetooth in my PC, this animal here —> https://www.computeralliance.com.au/asus-pce-ac55bt-dual-ban…

    Note it uses and Intel chip-set and the AC half of that 1200 is 867Mb or so, so roughly twice the bandwidth of those cheapo cards - remember WiFi almost never hits the speed on the box, that's its maximum and the real world is often half of it at best, but with AC and AX/WiFi6 they combine the two bands together to get a bigger number, even though you only use one of the two bands at a time. So my 1200 card is really 876 max but in reality more like 500ish, and the two 600 cards in the first post being 450 actual on the 5GHz side would get around 300ish,which should be fine if the signal strength isn't awful.

    My daughter's PC was using this Edimax thumb drive style WiFi adaptor for a while and it worked well in Windows, though was a bit of a pain in Ubuntu cause the driver wasn't in the kernel and I had to manually reinstall the card every kernel update. https://www.pccasegear.com/products/40394/edimax-dual-band-w…

    TL;DR - that Simplecom one with the nice big external aerial should be a safe option, though so long as your home WiFi signal is good they'll both work. Don't step down to a WiFi N/WiFi4 card, they're a lot slower, go AC/WiFi5 or AX/WiFi6 if you're feeling rich/want to "future proof"

    Edit to add - the main benefit of the PCIe ones is the external aerials, like what my card has that you can put in a better place not hidden from the WiFi signal by your cases' metal chassis, so if you can get a USB 3.0 one with an external aerial you get the majority of the benefit of the internal PCIe card type (also skip over USB2.0 versions, USB3.0 or PCIe if your PC has the slot free)

    • watupman on 24/07/2020 - 19:31

      thanks some much for your detailed explanation my friend!
      Would getting this be much better option than USB wifi ?
      https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/tp-link-av600-powerline-…

      Thanks heaps :)

      • Hybroid on 24/07/2020 - 19:33
        +1

        Those powerline units depend heavily on how your house circuits are done and any interference that exists. I wouldn't recommend them. Works for some, not for others. Since can't see a PCIe x1 slot on your motherboard, get a USB Wifi adapter and return it if doesn't work for you.

        • qkqnxogus on 24/07/2020 - 20:07

          Man you are a lifesaver! Am I allowed to return the product after trying it for an hour or so?
          Cheers

          • Hybroid on 24/07/2020 - 20:09

            @qkqnxogus: Depends on the retailer, you need to check their returns policy. Amazon you can.

  • Domingo on 24/07/2020 - 19:04
    +1

    I don't have a lot of experience, tried putting a PCIe card in my PC and never really got it working, tried bigger antennas on it but it never really made a difference despite my phone right next to it getting great coverage.

    My recommendation would be to get something with an external antenna that stops you from sticking an antenna on the side of a metal box which will not help reception at all.

    • bazingaa on 25/07/2020 - 05:00
      +1

      I had similar issues with my previous build with a TP-Link WiFi card with 2 antennas.
      At last I found that it was caused by the interference of the unshielded HDMI cable.

  • bazingaa on 24/07/2020 - 19:59

    Definitely PCI-E, if USB it should support USB 3.0 to get the maximum throughput. Otherwise you'll be limited by the USB 2.0 maximum speed.

    • smashman42 on 25/07/2020 - 03:28
      +1

      their motherboard has the spare PCIe slot in a dumb spot that'd block their GPU's airflow, so it is USB3.0 or nothing in this case

      • bazingaa on 25/07/2020 - 04:46

        I feel their pain then, I have a very cramped up mini-tower casing (almost SFF) and there are no USB 3.0 ports either (2nd Gen i5).
        My motherboard has two PCI-E 1x slots but one is covered by the GPU itself (which uses 2 slots) and if I use other one, it will cut off the air flow to GPU.
        So, I am just using this Realtek 8811CU Wireless LAN 802.11ac USB 2.0 WiFi dongle from Amazon for $12.90.

        • MurphysLaw on 25/07/2020 - 04:59

          Good on you mate!

        • smashman42 on 25/07/2020 - 13:05
          +1

          Nice, pretty much the best you could do given those limitations.

          At least the OP should have USB 3.0 ports free to have the option to go faster

  • competecarrot on 25/07/2020 - 14:56

    Before buying anything, consider tethering a phone via a USB cable to your Wi-Fi.

    It works really well.

    • watupman on 25/07/2020 - 15:08

      Never heard of this method before. Can you elaborate on this?
      Thanks so much :)

      • competecarrot on 26/07/2020 - 01:32
        +1

        Your smartphone can connect to the internet using Wi-Fi or 4G. If you plug in your USB charging cable into your computer, you can share this internet connection to your computer. This short video shows how to set this up with an Android phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvMZW_ztf14

        When you test this, you might want to turn off the 4G so your phone is definitely using the Wi-Fi.

        It's worth giving it a go. It takes two seconds and costs nothing.

        • watupman on 27/07/2020 - 11:12
          +1

          you are awesomeeeeee! mobile tethering is working :) I will continue to use this until I get a proper wifi device on my PC. You are the best :3

  • lew380 on 25/07/2020 - 22:58

    3rd option: ethernet cable.

    Just need…
    -Ethernet cable
    -Fishing line
    -2x Wall plates
    -2x Ethernet plug connectors
    -Misc cutting tools, wire stripping tools
    -A bit of googleing, possibly do this first!
    -Shit ton of patience trying to get that cable through
    Impossible wall space cavities

    • Bargain4Days on 17/08/2020 - 11:35

      And comms licence

      • lew380 on 17/08/2020 - 20:29
        +1

        I wouldn't know, my friend's brothers third cousin told me to post this

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