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    which wireless card?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by llmercll, Dec 4, 2009.

  1. llmercll

    llmercll Notebook Evangelist

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    If given the choice between a intel wifi 4965agn or 5100agn which one is better? why?
     
    llmercll, Dec 4, 2009
    #1
  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The 4965agn is better since I believe it has more receive and/or transmit channels. Don't quite remember the terminology, check out the network subforum.
     
    sgogeta4, Dec 4, 2009
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  3. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    I always prefer atheros Wireless Cards...
     
    weinter, Dec 4, 2009
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  4. llmercll

    llmercll Notebook Evangelist

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    well the 4965 has 3 connectors on it while the 5100 has only 2. is that what you mean?

    I also heard the 5100 has wireless n problems, any truth to that?
     
    llmercll, Dec 4, 2009
    #4
  5. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Some people have had issues with the 5100 and 5300 - I'm not so sure it's a problem with the card itself though.
     
    sgogeta4, Dec 4, 2009
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  6. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    5100 works well depending on what driver you have... i've had no problems at all with it... i would say get the 4965 and upgrade to the 5300...
     
    sean473, Dec 4, 2009
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  7. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    Definitely get the 5300 if you can.
     
    Mastershroom, Dec 4, 2009
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  8. oblomschik

    oblomschik Notebook Evangelist

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    It's like $20-25 on ebay, shipped.
     
    oblomschik, Dec 4, 2009
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  9. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    5300. Although I've never had any problems with my 5100, I have heard a lot of people say that it's pretty crap. And while the 4965 is older, it's better than the 5100.
     
    Amnesiac, Dec 4, 2009
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  10. N4n45h1

    N4n45h1 Notebook Consultant

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    I've also heard the 4965 is better. I recall it was because it has a 3x3 antenna?
     
    N4n45h1, Dec 4, 2009
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  11. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    Only those 2? Why not include 5300?

    4965:
    It uses 3 antennas but only uses them for transmitting and receiving up to 2 spatial streams,
    at 2.4GHz band, it can transmit up to 150Mbps and receive up to 150Mbps,
    at 5GHz band, it can transmit up to 300Mbps and receive up to 300Mbps;
    thus it needs dual band wireless N router to get the higher speed.

    5100:
    It uses 2 antennas for receiving up to 2 spatial streams and only 1 spatial stream for transmitting,
    at any bands (2.4GHz or 5 GHz), it can transmit up to 150Mbps and receive up to 300Mbps;
    thus it could have the top speed with most of current wireless N router (at least draft 2.0 compliance).

    5300:
    It uses 3 antennas for up to 3 spatial streams both transmitting and receiving side,
    at any bands (2.4GHz or 5 GHz), it can transmit up to 450Mbps and receive up to 450Mbps,
    if connected with most of current wireless N routers which only support up to 2 spatial streams for transmitting and receiving, its top speed is limited to 300Mbps, but with future 3x3 spatial streams wireless router, it can have the top speed for both transmitting and receiving sides up to 450Mbps.

    I used to have 5100 in one of my laptops before replaced with 5300. It didn't have real problems, only the connection speed fluctuated more (compared to 4965 or 5300) and barely stayed at top speed while connected to my 2.4GHz wireless router. After few seconds connected at 270Mbps, it dropped down to 135Mbps and stayed there. Maybe momentarily up to 270Mbps again, but always dropped down again after awhile. I didn't notice this before until someone in this forum asked about this 'cause it happened with 5100 in his laptop. I used to see only the 270Mbps speed when it first established connection to the router and never really looked at it again after few seconds.

    After I changed it with 5300, my laptop could have connection speed of 270Mbps more often/longer.
     
    aidil, Dec 6, 2009
    #11