Upgrading Stock Wireless Card: Benefits?

Hi,

I was considering upgrading the wireless card because I read that it would increase download/upload speeds as well as range.

I'm also reading in other threads that upgrading a wireless card from stock only improves data transfer from computer to computer.

Which one is it?

The upgrade choices are here:

Atheros AR9285 Wi-Fi 802.11 n adapter: Stock
Intel Advanced-N 6200 802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless LAN: $35
Intel Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 : $75

What does card #2 and #3 improve compared to the stock?

Everywhere I go has conflicting information and It's frustrating finding the correct answer lol.

 

yes, it can be rather frustrating to compare upgrades with stock
especially if we dont know what stock is!

 

I'm guessing it's:
Atheros AR9285 Wi-Fi 802.11 n adapter

Since that's what the G73JW is equipped with (one in my sig is pre-order), sorry lol I wasn't able to find the G53JW's stock anywhere, so let's just assume it's the Atheros I linked above.

 

It depends on your network. Speeds between computers on your network will be based on the speed of the slowest card between those computers, so even if you upgrade to a faster card, if the other computer you're transferring information from has a slower card, the transfer speed will be limited by that other computer's slower card. Also similarly, if your router does not support the higher speed functions of the cards, then it won't be used, and again, will limit the maximum speed of your transfers. And finally, when downloading from the internet, it will depend on your ISP. The average cable internet speed is from 5-6 Mbps. Note how this number compares to even wireless G speeds of up to 54 Mbps... much less. The point is that no matter how fast the speed from your router to your computer, if your cable internet ISP only lets in the external internet at about 5-6 Mbps, that's how fast your downloads/uploads will go.

 

Atheros AR9285: Wireless N w/ single stream (no MIMO support) - tops out at 150Mbps transfer. Only support 2.4GHz band and Wireless B/G/N (no 5GHz or Wireless A). By default, 2.4GHz also usually runs in 20MHz channel width mode limiting speed to 75Mbps.
Intel 6200: 2xMIMO supporting device - 300Mbps transfer, best in class performance and power consumption. Supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz band, and includes Wireless A support (A/B/G/N).
Intel 6250: Same as 6200 with WiMAX support (Clear/Sprint 4G, etc).

 

The reason why there is conflicting info is because it depends on the situation. The only reason IMO to get the 6250 is if you will use WiMAX. The Atheros should suffice for majority of users since internet speed is far lower (though again, this depends on your location and your surroundings) than the average wireless speed.

 

get the 6200.. its more than enough.. get 6250 only if ur going to use wimax.

 

If your current wireless card is not causing problems or slowing you down, there is no need for a new one. So it should only really be considered if you have connectivity or range issues with your current card. Otherwise there will be absolutely no difference before and after the upgrade, except for a little less dough in your pocket.

 

For Internet speed in a single client environment, sure it will be enough, But file sharing and home networking uses will be slower and those can take full advantage of the faster Wireless N transfer speeds.

 

The OP knows that and already stated that. He mentioned he wanted an upgrade to improve his internet speed, which it will not.