Killer 1103 vs 1202 (wireless)

1) Killer 1103: 3x3, 450mb/s (£13 more expensive)

2) Killer 1202: 2x2, 300mb/s, bluetooth

For a new laptop.

I use bluetooth occasionally to connect to external speakers. That's all I ever use it for. I never play multiplayer games online. Only singleplayer games, most being offline - though that could change in future with new consoles? I mostly use WiFi to browse the web, download large files through browser (e.g. GPU drivers) and Steam (games), stream videos from websites (e.g. youtube). I do not transfer files from computer to computer over WiFi as I have only a single laptop (which this new one will replace).

Is it worth getting the 1103 for around £13 more than the 1202? Should I sacrifice bluetooth for the better WiFi connection when I don't even play multiplayer games online? Does the 3x3 boost the 1103's wireless range significantly?

All routers I use are dualband wireless-N standard.

 

If you had to choose from one of those; I would pick the 1202 for your situation.

A 3x3 wireless card does not give better range (by itself) - especially if you don't have the router to match it to.

I have found though that 3x3 solutions are slightly better than 2x2 setups at a medium distance from the router - but range isn't their draw; it's throughput.


Either way; I would not be looking for an effectively 'obsolete' card at this time. The Intel 7260AC is the only one I would be considering.

See:
ARK | Compare Intel® Products


The 'AC' designation will guarantee future compatibility (including implicit beamforming in your future 'AC' certified router(s) - which should increase the range significantly) and the Intel brand will ensure that your wireless performance is better than almost any other setup (period).


See:
AnandTech | The Joys of 802.11ac WiFi

If you're using a quality wireless router (say an Asus RT-N66U or above) you're probably already at the limits of what wireless can do at your location (assuming you've positioned the router, setup the channels/options and pointed the antennae properly).

If you're using a router much older than 3 years - a new router will make even your existing wireless systems feel almost like new again.

While the Intel 7260 AC card is 'only' 2x2 - that is all you should need for your indicated uses. A 3x3 'n' solution will only use more power, not have Bluetooth and that third spatial stream will only be realized in very (very) close proximity to the router anyways (and you're needing range, not more throughput).

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

 

Sounds great! But it's only available from one Clevo reseller in the UK with ETA 31/07. Problem is the same retailer has ran out of stock of GTX 780M! (MYSN Schenker)

No other UK Clevo reseller even acknowledges that it exists. No idea when they will begin to stock it.

 

Then I would put the cheapest option possible for now (make sure you order it with 3 antennae installed though) if you're thinking to upgrade to 2014 standards.

Cheers.