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mini pcie wifi cards
martyp
Posts: 1,089 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
Hi all,
I have an MSI laptop which only has a single channel wifi card in (with bluetooth) and would like to use 5GHz preferably.
I'm looking at Azurewave/Realtek or Intel cards which are dual channel with bluetooth but unsure if there might be any big differences in performance/reliability or compatibility. I worry if you have to get one that's specific to the chipset in the laptop etc.
I've googled for some kind of comparison of different models but I guess as it's something people don't tend to purchase very much (except as a replacement if faulty) they don't really feature much in that way?
I have an MSI laptop which only has a single channel wifi card in (with bluetooth) and would like to use 5GHz preferably.
I'm looking at Azurewave/Realtek or Intel cards which are dual channel with bluetooth but unsure if there might be any big differences in performance/reliability or compatibility. I worry if you have to get one that's specific to the chipset in the laptop etc.
I've googled for some kind of comparison of different models but I guess as it's something people don't tend to purchase very much (except as a replacement if faulty) they don't really feature much in that way?
0
Comments
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If there is a function key to switch the radio on and off it may be that won't work any more. If it is stuck on no problem but if it is stuck off....
I've had that situation with a laptop some years ago when replacing a wifi card. The card wouldn't even show at all in device manager so it wasn't a case of getting another driver.
You may be lucky of course and have no problems,0 -
Oddly enough, I bought a couple of Intel 7260 wifi cards a few days ago to fit in my Dell laptop and desktop.
I fitted the one in the desktop, downloaded the drivers from Intel and it just worked. No drama. Full functionality.
I'll do the laptop tomorrow.0 -
Lenovo are the only one you need to be wary of. They won't work with a non-IBM/Lenovo wifi card.This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
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Thanks all, Intel 3160 was on my shortlist but also checking out the 7260.
It's an Intel HM87 chipset on the board so hopefully any intel card will be compatible.0 -
Just fitted the second 7260 to my laptop. Again, no drama at all and much improved connectivity over the Killer card that it replaced.0
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One thing I don't quite get is the 2x2 and 1x1 thing as my current Realtek card from what I can tell is a 1x1 so would there be any issue with a 2x2 in a 1x1 setup?0
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2x2 has two transmit and two receive radio chains.
It's quicker.0
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