Wireless Card upgrade

[Edd1e]

I have tried in vain to search for a result on this so going to put it out there for some help.

Having researched the pro's and con's of the various wireless card upgrades on offer I understand that the intel options have a track record of issues and the Killer one seems to be the recommendation. All good stuff.

My question is as I get my broadband through Virgin and just got a free upgrade to their 50mb plan - not actually tested the line since it was upgraded from their 30mb offering which I did check with speedtest.net and it was delivering the promised speed - is there any point in upgrading to a faster wireless card at all as by my understanding I don't receive the speed that a 300mbps is offering to throughput in the first place?

I have probably oversimplified the whole thing so my small brain can understand it but I just wanted to check I have not got this completely wrong, as from what I can gather I might as well just stick with the standard 802.11n card?

Thanks in advance for all and any help.

Ed

 

[keynes]

My issue with the n135 Intel wireless card (apart from the low speed) is that it kept disconnecting from my router (also virgin media). If you are aware of the issues and are spending a significant amount of money on the laptop why skimp on the wireless card?

 

[daveeb]

Hi Keynes (& Eddie), do you have Superhub 1 or 2? (if it's older than about a year it's possibly SH1). I think there are/were major connectivity and speed issues with that particular router as well which won't have helped with your connection problems. If you're on SH2 which is supposed to be quite reasonable for an ISP provided router then it's probably down to the card (which doesn't seem to get on with any routers by all accounts).

My issue with the n135 Intel wireless card (apart from the low speed) is that it kept disconnecting from my router (also virgin media). If you are aware of the issues and are spending a significant amount of money on the laptop why skimp on the wireless card?

 

[Edd1e]

My issue with the n135 Intel wireless card (apart from the low speed) is that it kept disconnecting from my router (also virgin media). If you are aware of the issues and are spending a significant amount of money on the laptop why skimp on the wireless card?

Thanks for the reply Keynes. I could not agree more re cost versus value of the component, and from what I have read I will probably just get the Killer card to avoid of of these connection issues I have read about with intel options.

My question, which I probably did not make clear, is more to do with whether I am actually going to benefit from going for increased speed cards due to my internet connection? Obviously there is some future proofing which is good to know, but as of today, if I got a Killer card, which I believe is 300mbps, or another one of the faster card, would I actually notice any difference outside of the stability?

Also I am assuming that the n135 you mention is the standard option offered by PCS? If so what speed is it as it doesn't say? (Edit: I have read it is only single band so guessing it wouldn't take advance of the 5ghz option on my router). If this is indeed the standard good to know it has specific issues with Virgin as from what I have read the issues vary depending on the combination of drivers and routers.

Thanks

 

[keynes]

Hi Keynes (& Eddie), do you have Superhub 1 or 2? (if it's older than about a year it's possibly SH1). I think there are/were major connectivity and speed issues with that particular router as well which won't have helped with your connection problems. If you're on SH2 which is supposed to be quite reasonable for an ISP provided router then it's probably down to the card (which doesn't seem to get on with any routers by all accounts).

New superhub and the wireless card was tested at 3 different locations.

 

[keynes]

My question, which I probably did not make clear, is more to do with whether I am actually going to benefit from going for increased speed cards due to my internet connection? Obviously there is some future proofing which is good to know, but as of today, if I got a Killer card, which I believe is 300mbps, or another one of the faster card, would I actually notice any difference outside of the stability?

I would advice you to get the killer not for speed but reliability, whether you will notice any improvement compare to other wireless cards not sure.

 

[Edd1e]

I would advice you to get the killer not for speed but reliability, whether you will notice any improvement compare to other wireless cards not sure.

Pretty much what I was thinking as I do not know enough about wireless networking to suppose I would be able to fix issues if they did arise, and hopefully I will one day stumble across a network that will be able to make full use of the speed the card and provide!

 

[SlimCini]

I'm on 120 virgin broadband. With the n135 I'd get 20-60 down speeds. Would vary massively all the time. Never cut out though so no disconnections. On my new card I get 126 down speeds consistently 24/7 wirelessly.

 

[Edd1e]

I'm on 120 virgin broadband. With the n135 I'd get 20-60 down speeds. Would vary massively all the time. Never cut out though so no disconnections. On my new card I get 126 down speeds consistently 24/7 wirelessly.

Good to know thanks. Out of interest what is your new card?

 

[SlimCini]

Intel ultimate n6300

 

[Edd1e]

Intel ultimate n6300

Fantastic thanks will have a look at that.

 

[SlimCini]

Lifted from somewhere else comparing the N6300 and the killer 1202:

"The Intel 6300 should be somewhat better if it has the 3rd antenna attached and it's paired with a Dual Band N router that is rated 450Mbps.

Without a 3rd antenna the Killer 1202 would be my choice.

The Killer 1202 is a 2 antenna Dual Band N wireless card rated 300Mbps that also has Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity that the 6300 lacks.

Your router is key to which wireless cards it should be paired with.

Are you fussed about bluetooth? Have you got three antennas in you laptop?

PCS don't do the killer 1103 but that's also a very good card (but more expensive than either of the other two).