USB or PCI wireless adaptor?

redboy

redboy

redboy

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Joined
1 Oct 2007
Posts
5
Hi there,

Apologies if this is a bit of a silly question (just setting up wireless at home for the first time), but is there much of a difference between a PCI card or USB dongle as far as performance, ease of installation etc. goes?

Would you recommend one over the other?

If so, can you give me an idea of a decent make/model to go for?

Thanks :)
 
Generally speaking I would always advise PCI over USB for networking devices.

However, if you think you are likely to ever want to connect another computer using it then obviously USB can be handy.
 
USB devices with a long cable are useful for portability and you can site them on the desktop for maximum reception. Possibly more cpu overhead and fractinally slow ping times if your a keen gamer, not critical for most uses though.

PCI cards are often tucked away under a deskbehind a stell case so reception may not be great with some of the aerials shipped as standard but otherwise agree they seem to be more reliable.
 
Cheers guys

Think I'll go the PCI route then. Is there much performance difference between the different brands of PCI cards, or are they all much of a muchness?
 
There are different speed ratings, e.g. 54, 108, 200+ etc. The speed will be limited by the router itself and the distance/walls and such. If your router is 54G then just get any 54G card. Having a higher spec card wouldn't improve the speed (unless you change router in the future).

Hope that makes sense.
 
In the same way NIC's are much of a muchness yes... in other words no they are not all the same, generic offerings are now widely supported to the extent that you should get OK signal and speed no matter what you buy (they are all by and large based on more or less the same core chip set's from a small number of providers who in theory stick to the same standards. Generally i'd try and stay on something of the same generation and manufacturer as the router but tbh you should be able to use anything. That said I almost launched the other half's Alienware m51 out the window the other day because it wouldn't take a 64 character WPA password and maxed at 63 but that's life!
 
Sorry for hijacking the thread but I am having some difficulties with a USB wireless adapter that I own, a Netgear WG111T, and would like to change to a better adapter. Which is the best one around for reception strength?

The router is on the floor below me in a large house so I need a strong adapter, and it needs to be for a desktop computer so has to be PCI or a very good USB, though am thinking PCI at the moment. Oh and most imporantly it must be compatible with Vista 64-bit!
 
PCi - no question.

Locating USB wifi adaptors can be problematic in getting a good signal / reliable connection.

Although PCI are at rear of PC, the aerials are often larger / better (and can often be replaced by something larger).

USB tend to get hotter too !

I've tried Buffalo USB and PCi and the PCI one is much better at holding connection (used with both a BT HomeHub and USR 9106 router)
 
NickR said:
PCi - no question.

Locating USB wifi adaptors can be problematic in getting a good signal / reliable connection.

Although PCI are at rear of PC, the aerials are often larger / better (and can often be replaced by something larger).

USB tend to get hotter too !

I've tried Buffalo USB and PCi and the PCI one is much better at holding connection (used with both a BT HomeHub and USR 9106 router)
Click to expand...

definitely agree my brother and i have a wireless setup, netgear dg84n adsl router, im on the wpn111 usb adaptor. theyre both certified 108mbps equipment but the adapter is rubbish, seems to heat up then loose connection
 
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