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    Wifi mini pci-e with longest range

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by rikymalfoy, Aug 24, 2011.

  1. rikymalfoy

    rikymalfoy Notebook Geek

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    I was wondering what is the best mini pci-e wifi card range wise and the best internal antenna upgrade.

    Thanks!!
     
    rikymalfoy, Aug 24, 2011
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  2. dragmn2

    dragmn2 Notebook Guru

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    There are a few choices from my understanding.

    Intel 6230 - 2 antennas with 300mb/s with bluetooth.

    Intel 6300 - 3 antennas with 450mb/s no bluetooth.

    Bigfoot 1102 - 2 antennas with 300mb/s no bluetooth.

    Bigfoot 1103 - 3 antennas with 450mb/s no bluetooth.

    Benefit of Bigfoot over the intel is the software that is supposed to give better wireless experience. Obviously if you want bluetooth, then get 6230 or any of the above with bluetooth usb. This all depends on if your laptop already has dedicated bluetooth card or not. Aside from that, you need to check how many antennas the laptop has installed. If you dont have enough antenna for the wireless, you wont benefit from the specs.

    cheers.
     
    dragmn2, Aug 24, 2011
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  3. rikymalfoy

    rikymalfoy Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for your help!

    The laptop is the Alienware m11x R2. 2 antennas. And bluetooth card already integrated.

    I really want to improve the RX capabilities using the best possible card!
     
    rikymalfoy, Aug 24, 2011
    #3
  4. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    From NBR testers of previous Intel cards, the difference between the 2 and 3 antennae cards are not significant in most situations. One situation that might be beneficial is if you live in a congested 2.4GHz zone and you are far away from your wireless router. Switching to 5GHz and going 3 antennae might show some better performance than the 2 antennae one. If you game a lot wirelessly, the Bigfoot cards have software that many users have reported decent gains in performance over the Intel cards.
     
    sgogeta4, Aug 24, 2011
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  5. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    A mod will probably pick up this thread and relocate it to the networking section......


    There are a lot of variables in 802.11whatever that will affect both range and throughput. So much so that the choice of card and internal antennal configuration might be inconsequential.

    maybe.

    If you really want better range and throughput, you're going to have to use an external (usb) dongle/adapter with a decent antenna. These things cost around $25- and up.
     
    newsposter, Aug 24, 2011
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  6. tuηay

    tuηay o TuNaY o

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    What sgogeta4 said. I have done a 3th antenna mod by my self, and can tell that, before, I could connect to my network in my kitchen (sometimes) but I did not get internet. Now, I can connect and get (some slow) internet. Hope this helps.
     
    tuηay, Aug 24, 2011
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  7. dragmn2

    dragmn2 Notebook Guru

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    Since you have 2 antennas and unless the laptop originally comes with 3, theres little benefit from the hard work of adding another one. If you want intel, then theres 6200 with no bluetooth, and has 2 antennas at 2.4 and 5Ghz. Another option is the Bigfoot 1102 as i stated above which is also 2 antenna no bluetooth. I'm sure either will provide the best wireless since they are the current generation wireless card for mini pci-e.

    Btw which card did the m11x R2 come with? It would be great to know what youre upgrading to see if there are any benefits.
     
    dragmn2, Aug 24, 2011
    #7