Wireless PCI-E or USB Adapter

Brigh · 22 Jul 2013 at 14:40

Hello

I've just moved house and I'm having Sky Broadband installed next week, there is only 1 phone socket and that is in the main house - my PC will be located in an annex which is next door.

The broadband is coming with a wireless hub so as it is a problem running a cable through to the annex and the price of a second socket quite high I was looking at alternatives.

Would it be better to fit a PCI-E Wireless Card or a USB Wireless Adapter to my PC?

I mainly use my PC for gaming so I want the best possible speed but I'm unsure what exactly I'm looking to buy.

Any ideas on good stuff on the market?

Brigh

Brigh · 22 Jul 2013 at 14:50

I've just located this so may have answered my own question

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-023-TP

I'm guessing this would work fine with Sky Broadband?

Hakanese · 22 Jul 2013 at 14:57

Power lines may be an alternative for you to consider too.
I know a lot of the usb adapters have varying performance in regards to range and performance depending on walls and just general build.

dt97583 · 22 Jul 2013 at 14:59

Personally I'm not convinced they'll be any difference whatsoever with speed. While some are rated at 150Mbps or 300Mbps unless your connection is anywhere near this I don't see any issues. Reception from afar in a garden or maybe if you're living in a mansion but in normal houses I'd have thought you'd be fine.

With a card there'd be increased heat and something else blocking airflow. With a discreet USB adapter it's portable and the better option I'd think.

YOUR BASKET
1 x TP-Link 300Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter (TL-WN823N) £11.95
Total : £15.86 (includes shipping : £3.26).

Edit: Not convinced you need antennas like that - I've got the following and have no issues:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus USB-N10 Micro USB Network Adapter Wireless-N 150Mbps £17.99
Total : £20.96 (includes shipping : £2.48).

Brigh · 22 Jul 2013 at 15:02

I did have a brief look at power lines as I wasn't sure how they functioned - the annex in my house has it's own circuit which is different to the one in the main house so I have 2 fuse boxes and I wasn't sure if it would work.

MagicBoy · 22 Jul 2013 at 15:03

The Sky router is 150mbps. Unsure if there's much benefit in buying a 300mbps NIC.

I used a TP Link PCI-E 150mbps one for my Dad when he moved to Sky the other week and it was painless. Getting a 85mbps signal through a couple of brick walls.

Brigh · 22 Jul 2013 at 15:04

I suspect USB would be prefered as you are right it could alter the current airflow

Hakanese · 22 Jul 2013 at 15:05

I don't think powerlines will work for you. I personally use a usb adapter too. Its handy as I'm networking 2 semi-detatched houses

Brigh · 22 Jul 2013 at 15:06

will go with a USB adapter then, some great options on here which makes it difficult to choose

Smoogels · 22 Jul 2013 at 15:13

I have the Asus USB-N10 for streaming on my Raspberry Pi and it's okay, but it gets VERY hot and really heats itself up with the USB port.

I would personally get a PCIE networking card personally as it wont take up a USB port, is cooled internally, can't lose it unlike a USB, proper antenna at the back which (some USBs lack). I doubt theres any performance difference but if anything I would have thought the PCIE wireless devices would be more reliable.

dt97583 · 22 Jul 2013 at 15:42

Smoogels said:
I have the Asus USB-N10 for streaming on my Raspberry Pi and it's okay, but it gets VERY hot and really heats itself up with the USB port.

That doesn't sound great. Personally I haven't experienced this. How long are you leaving it for before it gets baking?

Smoogels · 22 Jul 2013 at 16:19

davidmt83 said:
That doesn't sound great. Personally I haven't experienced this. How long are you leaving it for before it gets baking?

About 10 minutes

Unfortunately it's a common problem for this model (at least from what I can gather from Googling). It works fine though but I have noticed slow downs after about a hour of use.

dt97583 · 22 Jul 2013 at 16:41

Smoogels said:
About 10 minutes Unfortunately it's a common problem for this model (at least from what I can gather from Googling). It works fine though but I have noticed slow downs after about a hour of use.

I'll check mine tonight - do I need to look at any special to 'hot' it up

bledd · 22 Jul 2013 at 19:10

Just lay cat5e down, I've 'dabbled' with wireless and homeplugs twice in two different houses, now I just go gigabit all round. Not worth the hassle for the crap speeds that you get on homeplugs or wireless

dt97583 · 22 Jul 2013 at 22:20

Well I've checked and to be fair it's no different than I'd expect it to feel - albeit on this baking hot Monday night! Mobo playing a part maybe?

maklabouhlel · 23 Jul 2013 at 04:31

In my experience, USB adapters die more frequently than pci/pci-e adapters.

maklabouhlel · 23 Jul 2013 at 04:32

bledd. said:
Just lay cat5e down, I've 'dabbled' with wireless and homeplugs twice in two different houses, now I just go gigabit all round. Not worth the hassle for the crap speeds that you get on homeplugs or wireless

Cat5e not an option for everyone for obvious reasons.

linktoinsanity · 23 Jul 2013 at 12:11

bledd. said:
Just lay cat5e down, I've 'dabbled' with wireless and homeplugs twice in two different houses, now I just go gigabit all round. Not worth the hassle for the crap speeds that you get on homeplugs or wireless

This. Only fall back on homeplug or Wireless (or a combination of the two) if you have to, otherwise just lay a Cat5e cable.

Otherwise get a PCI Express/PCI wireless card as in my experience these tend to be a lot more reliable than USB, I imagine due to better cooling.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-054-TP&groupid=46&catid=1597&subcat=1622
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-048-TP&groupid=46&catid=1597&subcat=1622

I appreciate I've repeated myself from another thread, but meh.