USB or PCI

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brendon007

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#9439 16-Sep-2006 21:32

Hi there

I currently have a wi-fi USB adapter and the receiption is "ok" is the recieption going to be any better if i get a network card. What are the benfits of a network card vs USB

Thanks

bradstewart

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#46286 17-Sep-2006 12:51

You generally get better performance from a PCI wifi card than a USB one.

You could also try moving your wifi router to improve reception

Zach

167 posts

Master Geek

#46585 21-Sep-2006 16:55

A quick google search found:

"My friends have had major issues w/ USB 802.11g options. I think most of them use Linksys. But yeah, network connections cutting out, losing packets all over the place, etc. Finally they went PCI and it was ok."

Sounds like PCI does make a difference so perhaps you should give it a go.

Also, on advantage of PCI over USB is you don't always has a USB port hogged ;)

Word of warning for Byw*fi users (video accelerator); it uses a lot of P2P traffic.

sbiddle

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#46587 21-Sep-2006 17:09

Also remember that some USB WiFi sticks can be quite fragile if handled a lot. This probably isn't a big deal with a desktop PC but with a laptop where you may be inserting and removing it a lot it's not uncommon to find them breaking.

brendon007

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#46603 21-Sep-2006 21:32

Thanks Heeps

brendon007

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#47102 28-Sep-2006 20:10

Thanks for all your help. I have now installed my PCI card and am getting far better connection speeds.

3g

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#47110 28-Sep-2006 21:44

I'm currently working through a similar process (ie got a USB wifi adapter, thinking of going PCI).
The problem I have is that my machine is a slimline case and getting low profile cards isn't too easy.

That's when I came up with the idea that I'd probably be better off using a WiFi access point in client mode (plugged into the ethernet port on my PC).

After chatting with some colleagues, we agreed that this is probably the best option - it will definitely be more stable, can be moved easily and will most likely have a better signal strength.

Just another option 8-).

Nigel H.

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geekiegeek

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#47129 29-Sep-2006 08:24

My connection signel doubled when I changed grom USB to PCI, I dont know if its the change of connection so much as the size of the aerial on a PCI card.