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A comprehensive guide to buying a wireless card adapter
wireless card adapter

A comprehensive guide to buying a wireless card adapter

Choosing the right kind of hardware for your computer can be overwhelming. You have to keep in mind tons of factors, including usage, performance, and budget. The same goes when it comes to choosing a wireless card adapter. So, to help you here is a comprehensive list of things to keep in mind when picking out a wireless card adapter.

Do you require a wireless adapter?

Before you consider purchasing a wireless card adapter, you want to first know if you need one. Choosing between a wired and wireless connection depends on convenience, cost, and overall performance. Wired connections usually give higher performance compared to wireless. But, in terms of cost and convenience, wireless adapters are more efficient. Wireless card adapters will allow you to connect to the internet wirelessly but will limit your range and interference.

Pick one that’s compatible with your computer

Choosing a wireless adapter that’s suitable for your PC. You have the option of choosing a USB portable card, an internal add-on wireless card adapter that is plugged into the motherboard, or an integrated unit. In the case of an internal add-on card adapter, you need to make sure the pins match the ones on your motherboard. Choosing a USB portable wireless card adapter is simple and only requires you to activate essential drivers on your computer.

Know the range you need and choose the right antenna

When it comes to wireless connections, one of the major limitations is range. But, this can be solved by choosing the right kind of antenna. There are a few things that need to be considered. One of the most important things is the dB rating of the antenna. This is basically a classification of the frequency bands used by the antenna. You also need to consider the number of antennas present on the wireless card adapter. While one antenna will help you connect to the router, it may or may not have optimum performance. Wireless card adapters typically have two antennas.

Know the kind of speed you require

Another important thing to remember when using wireless card adapters is the speed. Modern wireless devices work on two main Wi-Fi standards 802.11n and 802.11ac. These Wi-Fi standards help decide the frequency bands as well as the speed of the adapter. The two main frequency bands that are used under these standards are 2.4 GHz and 5GHz. 5GHz provides better data rates as well as less interference compared to 2.4GHz. So, if you’re living in a densely populated area and have tons of interference, you should consider a wireless adapter with a 5GHz frequency band.

Related Questions

Q1 : Does one need a wired network adapter for a desktop?

The motherboards only usually have a slot for wired connection. You need to buy a wifi card or a USB wifi dongle device, unless otherwise stated, most motherboards do not have wifi. one should buy an adapter, preferably one that's PCI-E.

Q2 : What is the difference between a wired and wireless adapter?

A wireless network allows devices to stay connected to the network but roam untethered to any wires. A wired network uses cables to connect devices, such as laptop or desktop computers, to the Internet or another network. A wired network has some disadvantages when compared to a wireless network.

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  • Benefits of switching to a wireless card adapter
    Benefits of switching to a wireless card adapter

    Many users are switching to wireless card adapters because they have many concerns when it comes to their wired counterparts. One of the concerns being security, as wired card adapters lack basic user authentication or encryption, which makes the device more susceptible to hacking. Add to that poor connectivity, slow Internet, and lack of durability. As a result, people are going wireless. If you’re wondering why wireless adapters are all the rage, take a look at these benefits.

    • Faster speed
      Wireless means faster processing, which allows quick data transfer and easy file management. This saves a lot of time in comparison to the wired adapters. The Wi-Fi receiver on wireless card adapters also improves connectivity and ensures speedy Internet whenever you’re using your device. With the latest wireless adapter on the market, you will be able to get the newer upgrades and unlock incredible speed.
    • Antenna feature
      The exciting thing about technology is that there’s always scope for improvement. Currently, some wireless adapters have antennas that provide an extra boost to the Wi-Fi signal. The antenna is built within the card, or it extends physically outwards to improve the wireless capability. This ramps up the Internet at lightning speed. Certain wireless adapters can connect to 2.4ghz and 5ghz bands, which wired adapters may fail to detect.
    • Simple setup
      Because no wires come into play, these adapters are much simpler to set up. You get different adapters for different laptop brands and models. Start off by selecting one that is compatible with your device, and then the setup will be a breeze. Plug the new adapter in the specific slot or port, and then install the driver on your device. Once you’re done with the setup, the adapter will work instantly whenever you plug it into the slot. The process is easy and hassle-free. Few adapters come with driver-free installation, too!
    • More economical
      Going wireless also saves you some dollars. No wires mean better durability. You won’t have to keep purchasing network cables because of the fraying wires. That being said, it is true that the wireless card is more expensive than the usual network connection. However, it is a one-time investment, and you only need to spend on recharging the card after setup.
    • Robust security
      A big benefit of switching to wireless card adapters is that they come with advanced security features. They have WEP, WPA, and WPA2 encryption that protect your device with a password and safeguard transmissions. Secure user authentication ensures that your data and device are protected from theft. Before choosing an adapter, take a look at its security features and check if your device supports the mentioned protocols.
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    5 popular wireless card adapters

    Wireless card adapters are quite useful devices for desktop computers. These can be used to extend the wireless network you’re using. Moreover, using wireless card adapters can also help in improving network reception. When you use the right card adapter, you get more options for better connectivity. Most wireless card adapters need you to choose between efficiency and convenience, but a few incorporate both. Here are some of the most popular brands of wireless card adapters.

    ASUS 4×4 AC3100 PCIe Adapter
    This wireless card adapter has been designed to be an all-in-one kit. Along with a wireless adapter card, the device has several external antennas. These are dual-band antennas that are capable of transmitting signals with high processing speeds on several bands. Moreover, this adapter has R-SMA antenna connectors. So it can be easily connected with any kind of aftermarket antenna as well. In addition, the adapter has MU-MIMO support that enables several high bandwidth connections without affecting streaming speeds.

    TP-Link Archer T9E AC1900
    When it comes to wireless card adapters, TP-Link is one of the most popular ones. The Archer T9E AC1900 is one of the best straightforward adapters in the market. There are three antennas attached that are highly adjustable. It features an aluminum heat sink that effectively dissipates heat away from the components of the adapter. This TP-Link wireless card adapter is perfect for 4K content such as UHD video streaming, online gaming, and so on. This adapter can support 32-bit as well as 64-bit OS versions.

    Rosewill AC1300 WiFi Adapter
    This wireless card adapter is known to offer really high-speed connection. With super-fast variable speeds, the Rosewill AC1300 WiFi adapter is perfect for online gaming as well as Ultra-HD video streaming. Also, this is a dual-band WiFi card that offers a reliable wireless connection. In addition, it gives an extended coverage enabled by directional signal amplification. The adapter has three detachable and omnidirectional antennas.

    Gigabyte GC-Wbax200 Wi-Fi 6 Dual Band Card
    This is a wireless AX Dual-Band adapter. It utilizes two separate bands to give some decent streaming speed. This card adapter is compatible with AC as well as Wireless N-standard routers or access points. Moreover, this wireless card adapter also has Bluetooth 5.0 capability. In addition, it has a detachable antenna that is efficient enough to give maximum WIFi connection at home.

    Asus PCE-N15 802.11N Adapter
    This card adapter is quite compact and easy to use. Although it doesn’t guarantee high speed for online gaming, it does some of the most essential work quite smoothly. The PCE-N15 is a no-frills card meant to give basic connectivity and speed. The card comes with antennas that are easily adjustable.