Which PCI wireless network card do you recommend? (up to


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?10.49 - TP-Link TL-WN781ND (150Mbps)

?11.49 - TP-Link TL-WN751ND (150Mbps)

?12.90 - Dynamode WL-GI-600-11N (300Mbps)

?15.33 - TP-Link TL-WN851ND (300Mbps)

?15.58 - Edimax EW-7612PIn (300Mbps)

?17.96 - Edimax EW-7722IN (300Mbps)

?21.58 - Asus PCE-N53 (300Mbps)

?21.93 - TP-Link TL-WN951N (300Mbps)

I am getting a 76Mbps fiber optic service installed in two weeks time and need a new PCI wireless network card for my PC.

Should I just go for one of the 150Mbps models (to save money) or will I somehow benefit from getting a 300Mbps rated card?

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Well my cable company just rolled out 100mbit service, I would go for a 300, because I can see the 150's becoming outdated in the not too distant future.

I doubt I'll need more than 76Mbps any time soon.

Get a usb card, then you can use it in whatever computer you want.

I've heard bad things about USB-based wireless network adapters. Plus, this is the only PC I'll need it for.

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?21.58 - Asus PCE-N53 (300Mbps)

That one for sure.

It's the only one with dualband support (for which you'll thank me later). And while right now it looks like you might be just fine with 150Mbps, those are theoretical speeds. All my wireless equipment is pretty high quality 300Mbps (or 450Mbps) stuff, and I can barely go over 100Mbps wirelessly. A 150Mbps card will most likely not go much higher than 60Mbps in real life situations. And it's PCI-Express. Stay away from PCI, we're 2012. PCI is an ooooold bus with limited bandwidth. And stay away from USB-stick things too if you can avoid them.

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?21.58 - Asus PCE-N53 (300Mbps)

That one for sure.

It's the only one with dualband support (for which you'll thank me later). And while right now it looks like you might be just fine with 150Mbps, those are theoretical speeds. All my wireless equipment is pretty high quality 300Mbps (or 450Mbps) stuff, and I can barely go over 100Mbps wirelessly. A 150Mbps card will most likely not go much higher than 60Mbps in real life situations. And it's PCI-Express. Stay away from PCI, we're 2012. PCI is an ooooold bus with limited bandwidth. And stay away from USB-stick things too if you can avoid them.

Oops, I didn't spot that I included a PCI Express model, oops.

The PCI Express slot space on my motherboard is used by my graphics card fan, so I must go with PCI.

So - I'm looking for a 300Mbps PCI card I guess.

Are you saying that a 300Mbps card (e.g. the ?12.90 Dynamode WL-GI-600-11N card) will easily handle my 76Mbps connection in real-life situations?

What's the benefit of dual-band?

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I'd go for the 300mbps card, not just for your new net, but moving the huge files you will inevitably download with new found net speeds, across the network ;)

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Actually, those prices in my first post didn't include delivery.

My final choices/prices are now:

?9.99 - TP-Link TL-WN851N (used)

?14.49 - TP-Link TL-WN851N

?15.32 - Tenda W322P

?17.30 - Edimax EW-7722In

?17.37 - Addon NWP210

?23.27 - TP-Link TL-WN951N

I'm not paying more than ?25 for a network card...

Actually, I'm thinking sod it - I'll just wire some network cable through from downstairs :p

That'll support all common speeds :p

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-snip-

I am getting a 76Mbps fiber optic service installed in two weeks time and need a new PCI wireless network card for my PC.

Should I just go for one of the 150Mbps models (to save money) or will I somehow benefit from getting a 300Mbps rated card?

Wifi is not great at its best, The difference between the 150 and 300 cards isn't something that you'll notice unless you're doing transfers at those speeds, and as you're getting a 76Mbit service it won't be an issue. You'll also need to make sure your router supports the speed of the wifi cards you're planning on buying.

However, I'd suggest that if you really want to save money (and get better performance from your internet connection. Do try to invest in some eithernet cable. You can can pick it up super cheap.

30 meters can be had for ?9, and you'll get gigabit (1000Mbit) speeds as well as non of the downsides to wifi (high latency, channel hopping, packet loss etc). I know using a cable around the house isn't ideal for some, but i personally think that unless you really really do have to use wifi, ethernet is the way to go for anyone who values a decent internet connection.

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