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    Which Wifi card is better? Intel or BF?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by WaffleBoy, Jun 5, 2011.

  1. WaffleBoy

    WaffleBoy Notebook Deity

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    There are 3 options to me:

    Intel Ultimate-N 6300 802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless LAN with 3rd antenna mod (75$)

    OR

    Bigfoot networks Killer™ Wireless-N 1102 (45$)

    OR

    Intel Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 (75$)

    I need for big ranges.
     
    WaffleBoy, Jun 5, 2011
    #1
  2. linuxwanabe

    linuxwanabe Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, the 6300 is just a 3 antenna version of the 6200, which you don't need if you don't have a 3 antenna router, and you don't need a 6250 if you don't have WiMax. I do like the name "Bigfoot." I don't know a thing about the company, but I just like the name.

    If you want range, you're better off getting a higher powered router than opting for pricey notebook cards. Sometimes cheap cards can have just about the same range as the most expensive cards. You're paying for speed, but speed isn't the issue when it comes to range. I don't know about Bigfoot? I'm assuming that they're using another company's chipset? Which company? Which chipset?
     
    linuxwanabe, Jun 5, 2011
    #2
  3. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Intel's are among the best and they are very cheap now. A 6200 alone should cost around $20-25.
     
    tijo, Jun 5, 2011
    #3
  4. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    3 antenna is not equal to 3 stream MIMO. A 3 antenna card is still going to perform better on a dual stream system. A third antenna adds diversity and helps the signal quality.
     
    ALLurGroceries, Jun 5, 2011
    #4
  5. WaffleBoy

    WaffleBoy Notebook Deity

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    So... which card?
     
    WaffleBoy, Jun 6, 2011
    #5
  6. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    Is there wimax service in your area? Do you plan on subscribing to it? If no, then that card is out. It's between the bigfoot card and the 6300.

    Do you do tons of competitive online gaming (are you part of a clan, etc) where latency is really important? Do you need extreme control of network traffic off of your laptop? That would be the only attraction to the bigfoot card. Look at some reviews of it... it's mostly software.

    The 6300 speaks for itself really, no need to say anything more about it.
     
    ALLurGroceries, Jun 6, 2011
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  7. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you really 'need for big ranges', you're going to want a wifi card/dongle that has an external antenna.

    Internal wire antennas aren't worth much.
     
    newsposter, Jun 6, 2011
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  8. WaffleBoy

    WaffleBoy Notebook Deity

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    I got confused... I need for big ranges and online games (the bug ranges is more importent)

    So wimax OUT..

    (I will go to the city, school, out of my home, that's why I need with big ranges)
    so?
     
    WaffleBoy, Jun 6, 2011
    #8
  9. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    I think the bigfoot is a 2 antenna card, so you're likely to get better range with the 3 antenna 6300...
     
    ALLurGroceries, Jun 6, 2011
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  10. lupusarcanus

    lupusarcanus Notebook Consultant

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    The 6300 is the best card.
     
    lupusarcanus, Jun 6, 2011
    #10
  11. WaffleBoy

    WaffleBoy Notebook Deity

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    More comments?
     
    WaffleBoy, Jun 6, 2011
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  12. FXi

    FXi Notebook Deity

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    Intel 6300
     
    FXi, Jun 6, 2011
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  13. WaffleBoy

    WaffleBoy Notebook Deity

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    For big ranges, intel 6300 better then BF.
     
    WaffleBoy, Jun 7, 2011
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  14. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    external antennas.......

    No reason why you can't have two wireless cards/adapters.

    Install a good one inside of your machine.

    When you need the 'big ranges', plug in an external/usb card that uses a larger/directional antenna.
     
    newsposter, Jun 7, 2011
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  15. ichime

    ichime Notebook Elder

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    I'm not entirely convinced with the Intel 6300, being an owner of one for a bit over 8 months. I'd say wait for reviews for the Bigfoot 1102. So far the only review I've seen of the BF card is positive, but I'd hold off on jumping on the Intel bandwagon when it comes to wireless.
     
    ichime, Jun 12, 2011
    #15
  16. WaffleBoy

    WaffleBoy Notebook Deity

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    Maybe I will take BF and when I want big ranges I will use wirless USB card?
     
    WaffleBoy, Jun 12, 2011
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  17. pengy_666

    pengy_666 Notebook Evangelist

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    Will the BF card work in any mini PCI-e?
     
    pengy_666, Jun 13, 2011
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  18. Red Line

    Red Line Notebook Deity

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    Here is a nice review of BF 1102 and 3 antenna 1103 with 450mb/s is on its way! So i'd prefer the latter + it's cheaper)
     
    Red Line, Jun 13, 2011
    #18
  19. pengy_666

    pengy_666 Notebook Evangelist

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    well I bought the Bigfoot 1102!


    As soon as it arrives I will give you a review, If it works

    :D
     
    pengy_666, Jun 13, 2011
    #19
  20. WaffleBoy

    WaffleBoy Notebook Deity

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    Ok thanks! :)
     
    WaffleBoy, Jun 13, 2011
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  21. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

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    I would say the review is not credible.
    Certainly the client control program is great as it offers good control over wifi settings BUT it did not do a proper comparison against other WiFi cards.
    I certainly do not believe it is better than Intel WiFi hardware wise.
    For WiFi ping is not an issue.
     
    weinter, Jun 17, 2011
    #21