WiFi network via USB or PCIe internal card, which is better?

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WiFi network via USB or PCIe internal card, which is better?

card, Internal, Network, PCIe, USB, WiFi


USB sticks are very comfortable to use, since they are small and their configuration simply connects them to the USB port on the PC and starts using them. On the contrary, internal PCIe cards are often more expensive, requiring you to open a PC to install them and they also usually need their drivers. They are really free and expensive, but is it worth it because they give us better performance? Let's see it.

Benefits of USB WiFi over PCIe

The USB wireless adapter is as simple as possible: connects it to a USB port on the PC and the operating system receives it With the driver included, so you can connect to your home WiFi without doing anything else. And this is undoubtedly a huge advantage of a USB WiFi adapter over a PCIe internal, since its installation and setup will take a few seconds, and you can also use it on any other PC without interrupting your life.

USB WiFi adapter

Some USB stick sticks are too small to replace, though some are built-in external anchors for better coverage. In any case, you have opportunities that you can use as an example provide NAS with wireless connectionWhile PCIe cards are limited to desktop PCs only.

The benefits of WiFi with a PCIe internal card over USB

We have already discussed that the biggest risk for this type of wireless cards is its installation, since you will have to turn on the PC to install it, install the drivers, etc., so, depending on the circumstances, they run out.

WiFi PCie card

However, everything else is worthwhile. Getting started its coverage is much better Since they can carry many other ants, while USB sticks tend to be small and small, so they should be close enough to the router to be properly covered. On the other hand, USB sticks have only 5V provided by the USB port to provide power, while the PCIe's internal cards can take advantage of the 12V socket it operates on. High consumption, yes, but a priori performance will always be better.

On the other hand, USB WiFi sticks have it bandwidth is limited by the display, while PCIe internal cards do not, or at least not so much. If the adapter is USB 3.0, things change, but the cheapest you can find in the market (and the best-selling one) is usually USB 2.0, so its bandwidth is very limited.

Which is better? Which to buy?

Without a doubt when it comes to performance and durability, the best option is the PCIe WiFi adapter. It is expensive and a little flexible, but if you are convinced that you need WiFi on your desktop PC and want good communication, you should bet this way.

WiFi card

However, if you want sporadic WiFi connectivity and it won't be a constant thing, you can save money and quickly buy a USB stick. Of course, high-end models should not be dismissed anywhere, because in terms of performance it doesn't have a lot of envy on the internal PCIe cards, although of course this also depends on the USB ports we connect to. You know the saying, you can't have a Ferrari and put wheels on 600, right?

That said, our recommendation is that if you can, always opt for a PCIe internal WiFi card, because you'll have better performance or, at the very least, better coverage and durability in all cases.

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