Which wireless PCI card?

Big Chris · 16 Oct 2010 at 18:37

I'm staying with my Olds for a few months while inbetween places, but I'm a floor above the Virgin wireless router.

So, is a PCI card the way forward? If so, which one would give me decent coverage? I don't game online but I do download stuff, so as long as the connection doesn't drop I'm happy.

Are there any that stand out, or that I should avoid?

Big Chris · 16 Oct 2010 at 18:43

People seem to be quite enthusiastic about this:

Edimax EW-7727In

Plus it's cheaper than the D-Link & Netgear equivalents, any reason I should steer clear?

m4rkw7 · 16 Oct 2010 at 23:19

I've never used that but it's received 5 stars throughout. The main thing to remember is the speed, as compared with wired it'll max at around 54mbps i've never hit top speed with wireless.

That aside, anything will do really.

Jayster · 16 Oct 2010 at 23:29

I can only recommend this as its the only one I have bought and used, Anything should do you fine really and as posted above the general rule with wireless is you will only ever get half of that wireless specs speed so wireless g is around 20mbit

Big Chris · 17 Oct 2010 at 10:19

I'm not too fussed about the speed, I'm only browsing and downloading over a 20meg line so 54mbps is more than enough.

I need to check the router itself, if it's not wireless N but I have an N card, is it going to cause any problems?

Big Chris · 18 Oct 2010 at 14:05

Bugger, just went to order the Edimax and it's out of stock! Seems to be out of stock everywhere having checked some other websites.

Can anyone suggest a worthy alternative?

rounddodger · 18 Oct 2010 at 20:01

Same situation for me! Any other recommendations?

Big Chris · 18 Oct 2010 at 20:24

How about this little blighter?

Edimax EW-7711IN 150Mbps Wireless PCI Card

The extended cable would actually be pretty useful since my PC is up a floor and the other side of the room from the doorway leading down to where the router is located.

rounddodger · 18 Oct 2010 at 20:54

is the antenae detatchable so can screw in the card without the extra wiring? just thinking what a ballache when I use it on a laptop.

Orcvader · 18 Oct 2010 at 20:58

The detachable antenna with extended cable let you relocate the antenna to receive the best signals. Also, you can change to any external detachable dipole antenna, EW-7711In is your choice for wireless connection!

Looks like it, but you may need to buy a seperate antenna. The one it comes with looks like it's part of the wire :confused:

Big Chris · 19 Oct 2010 at 08:24

It looks like you can remove the wired antenna and screw in a regular one, although there is only space for one and not two/three as on other cards.