Wireless Card Question: P170EM

I am considering upgrading from the stock wireless card in my NP9170/P170EM. Basically I am moving to a network where I will be exclusively wireless and would like the higher speeds, as my new router can actually handle it.

If I do this I will consider just staying wireless from now on, so this will be a long term investment. I need to know a few things:

1) Killer or Intel?

2) What model?

3) Where to buy?

I don't use bluetooth now, and have not had a major use for it so far, but having it is something I would prefer simply because I like to be as ready as possible for anything that comes my way.

Thanks in advance for the input, I know a lot about hardware, but nothing about wireless cards at all.

 

Killer 1103 benchmarks a better performance on the 5ghz spectrum and the same performance as the Intel 6300 on the 2.4 ghz. If you're going to be gaming and can actually benefit from the packet prioritization, I'd say go with the Bigfoot.

If you're looking to keep bluetooth check out the 1202 version. If not I'd stick with the 1103.

 

I like the Intel 6235, I trust intel's dependability over Atheros anytime.

 

killer 1202 for BT or 1103 for triband. If you have a router with the 5ghz band it is unreal. Killer on 5 ghz blows away any competition. Id probably check amazon or ebay for purchase. Maybe even contact your reseller?

 

Is there any difference between the 1202 and the 1103 outside of bluetooth? They both run at the same levels?

 

and not just benches. tom's hardware (yes, tom's hardware) ran some tests to simulate "real world use" and the killer 1103 outperformed intel's 6300 on both bands, most notably on 5GHz. i went with the 6300 but if i was doing it again i would've gone with the 1103. so to answer your questions: 1. bigfoot killer/qualcomm, 2. 1103 (or 1202 if you want bluetooth from the card), and 3. whoever's cheapest.

Sent from my PI39100 using Board Express

 

The 1103 card will have a max bandwidth of 450 mb/s and the 1202 will have a max of 300 mb/s. Both are dual band cards and outside of the bluetooth and bandwidth, there shouldn't be too much of a difference.

 

And lastly, what is the best place to buy them from? I have found them on Amazon, but not many other places seem to have them. Anywhere particular I should look?

 

Looks like Amazon and Ebay are my biggest options, Thanks all for the input, I am looking towards what I will pick now.

Rep went to everyone in the Thread (I think I got you all) Thanks for the time to put your input in here .

 

If you can accept external bluetooth device in the future, then I will recommend Big Killer N1103. If not, I would recommend Big Killer N1202.

 

The Killer Bigfoot cards are the best around, but the Intel NICs give you WiDi if a wireless display interest you at all.

 

Thanks for the heads up Sha7bot, but I don't need the Wireless display, I don't have a display capable and I usually have the laptop HDMI'd if I want it on an external. I ended up choosing the 1202, just in case I needed the bluetooth in the future. It actually was a bit cheaper as well. 300m/s is most likely more than I will need anytime soon, I was mainly interested in the 5ghz.