Wireless N Intel 4965

Hello,

I currently have the Intel 3945ABG in my Inspiron 6400 and the range is mediaocre. In my basement I get low signal, I had to get WRT54G with 7dbi boost antennas and boost the power to 74dbi for me to get good.
In summer I like taking my laptop outside by the pool and its low signal.
(Story on why I want to upgrade below)

I started searching for a wireless N card and I ran by the Intel Wireless 4965. I am wondering how much improvement I will see over my current Intel 3945ABG card considering the laptop only has two antennas...


Yesterday my buddy shows up with his new Macbook with wireless N.
My basement Full strength, from 3 houses away he was able to connect to my network... I can't from 1 house away SEE my network...

 

I would first investigate where you have your wireless router located. The WRT54G isn't an N router I don't beleive so it won't benefit much from the "N" enchancements. You'd have to buy a new router that is a nice match with the Intel 4965 to get the most benefit...

My guess though is you'll see a vast improvement from placing your router in a better spot. You should also try aiming your two antennas at two different usage areas. So that they are working to eliminate dead spots and weak signal areas on their ranges and not filling the same area with twice the signal.

 

frazell> I've found the best location. The problem is everyone at home uses wireless so I had to find a spot where everyone would get very good. Aka Kitchen, Basement, upstairs and on the deck. It took me a while running net stumbler on each machine to find the best spot.

I know from each of the laptop's built in wireless card i get different results But the Macbook just shocked me. It was connecting to my G router only difference was it was an n card. maybe on Macs they have Mimo Antennas or something but the difference was between him connecting downloading at 5megabit 3 houses away (we walked and checked) while mine wouldnt even SEE my home network... Ya.. I was shocked..lol
I can get an N router but i'd lose my 7dbi antenna and the powerboost and I'd have to upgrade all my laptops to N to gain benefit...

Only mine matters thou for now thou

My main question is CAN i put in the Intel 4965 in my laptop or do I NEED the 3 antennas to get any benefits?

Can i put a 3rd antenna? if so where
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Pair-Notebook-80...ryZ31531QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Yes N needs the 3 antennas that is the main way it gains its speed and range increases...

You can buy the N card and install it yourself as long as the i6400 uses MiniCard...

You could also always swap the card in the mac book to see if it gives you any increase

 

lol he just got the macbook i dont think he'd let a screwdriver 100feet close to it..lol

update: I open my laptop to find out where the antennas are...
I was in for a shocker...
This is what i found behind my screen when i followed the two antenna cables.

Here is Antenna 1

Here is Antenna 2


WAIT THERE not antennas its just the wire soldered on to a small peice of metal....

If i were to buy those two antenna things from ebay where would I put the 3rd antenna?

 

You *might* be able to load a 3rd party firmware onto your router/wireless access point to augment its performance and transmit power/receive gain.

Do a Google search for 'dd-wrt'. Your wrt54g *might* be compatible.

This *might* improve performance. On 802.11g operations, the 4965 card shouldn't be really any faster than the 3965 card.
(though I gotta admit, I'm amazed at the performance of my 4965 connecting to a modded wrt54gl.)

 

pitz> DD-WRT on my WRT54G boosted the power to 74mW also upgraded the antennas to 7dbi Antennas from linksys.

I am still scratching my head where to put the 3rd antenna.... Does anyone have the 6400 with draft-n card?