Best Internet Option?

[Hobbes1995]

(Sorry if this is the wrong section!)

I'm not sure what information you guys would need to best suggest an option for me, but I'll do my best.

My "gaming" room is quite far away from my router/modem, so Ethernet is out of the question.

I guess I'm basically asking should I do USB or PCI card, and how would I know which is right for me.

ALSO! I have Airport Express extender..things.. I'm not sure if that matters at all. Thanks for any help in advance 😀

 

[USAFRet]

How far is "quite far"? What is directly between your machine and the router?

Personally, I prefer USB. You can move it around some. Sometimes, even moving it just two feet to the side alleviates a dead spot.

(And ethernet is never out of the question. Just depends on how much work you want to put into it)

 

[Hobbes1995]

How far is "quite far"? What is directly between your machine and the router?

Personally, I prefer USB. You can move it around some. Sometimes, even moving it just two feet to the side alleviates a dead spot.

(And ethernet is never out of the question. Just depends on how much work you want to put into it)

Quite far would be down a small staircase, then back up another one, then down a hallway and through my dad's office! So, I'd say quite far..haha. Thanks for the quick response! Do you have any specific USBs you would suggest?

First off, what kind of computer do you have?...Assuming your extender has repeated the wifi signal well where you are, either one will work. Personally I would pick up a PCI or preferrably a PCIE x1 card if your motherboard has those slots. I have never had an issue with either.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Hobbes1995/saved/2uVb
That's my build. I'm not sure what some of those words mean, but like above do you have any specific suggestions?

 

[Hobbes1995]

Well I have used a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704133 and it worked great. Also used http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124342 which worked great. There are better ones if you are on a budget but I have had success with those in the past. I am currently using an ethernet cable which is run from my range extender. I just looked up the Airport Express extender and you could probably do the same thing if it is nearby. It has a couple ethernet slots.

Okay sweet! I may try connecting it through an Ethernet cable then. Also, if the cable is kind of long, would it slow the connection? Like, longer cable = slower connection? Or would it be pretty much the same?

 

[Hobbes1995]

I ran a 100ft cable at one point and there isn't a noticeable difference from what you would get with a shorter cable. Your big difference usually comes from having wireless vs being hardwired in.

Okay so would I only need to but an Ethernet cable? If so that'll work out, I just measured and it would be a bit under 30 ft if I wire it well (over doorways and such 😛)

 

[USAFRet]

Well I have used a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704133 and it worked great. Also used http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124342 which worked great. There are better ones if you are on a budget but I have had success with those in the past. I am currently using an ethernet cable which is run from my range extender. I just looked up the Airport Express extender and you could probably do the same thing if it is nearby. It has a couple ethernet slots.

Okay sweet! I may try connecting it through an Ethernet cable then. Also, if the cable is kind of long, would it slow the connection? Like, longer cable = slower connection? Or would it be pretty much the same?

With Cat5e, you can go to 100 meters with no discernible signal loss. Assuming you don't have a really crappy cable.

 

[Hobbes1995]

Well I have used a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704133 and it worked great. Also used http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124342 which worked great. There are better ones if you are on a budget but I have had success with those in the past. I am currently using an ethernet cable which is run from my range extender. I just looked up the Airport Express extender and you could probably do the same thing if it is nearby. It has a couple ethernet slots.

Okay sweet! I may try connecting it through an Ethernet cable then. Also, if the cable is kind of long, would it slow the connection? Like, longer cable = slower connection? Or would it be pretty much the same?

With Cat5e, you can go to 100 meters with no discernible signal loss. Assuming you don't have a really crappy cable.

Would there be really any reason for me to go with Cat6? I know it's better, but is it that much better for the price? I've been looking at a site called cablestogo.com.

How does this look? http://www.cablestogo.com/product/24396

 

[USAFRet]

Would there be really any reason for me to go with Cat6? I know it's better, but is it that much better for the price? I've been looking at a site called cablestogo.com.

How does this look? http://www.cablestogo.com/product/24396

I'm in the same position, but wiring the whole house, instead of just to one room.
Cat6 is only worth it if it is around the same price as Cat5e.

Cat6 will do 10GB, but only at short distances.
Cat6a will do 10GB over longer distances, but at significantly higher cost.


$25 is waaaaay too much for 50' of Cat5e. Amazon does 100' for $6-$12.
http://www.amazon.com/100ft-Ethernet-Network-Internet-Computer/dp/B00BMZ70XW

 

[Hobbes1995]

Would there be really any reason for me to go with Cat6? I know it's better, but is it that much better for the price? I've been looking at a site called cablestogo.com.

How does this look? http://www.cablestogo.com/product/24396

I'm in the same position, but wiring the whole house, instead of just to one room.
Cat6 is only worth it if it is around the same price as Cat5e.

Cat6 will do 10GB, but only at short distances.
Cat6a will do 10GB over longer distances, but at significantly higher cost.


$25 is waaaaay too much for 50' of Cat5e. Amazon does 100' for $6-$12.
http://www.amazon.com/100ft-Ethernet-Network-Internet-Computer/dp/B00BMZ70XW

That specific one only has two reviews, so I'd be scared to buy it, especially since one of the reviews is bad!
How's this look? http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-N201-050-RD-Gigabit-Snagless/dp/B001FCCL3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1380745711&sr=1-1&keywords=cat5e+cable+50ft

Also, what does it mean by "patch" or "snagless"? Thanks for all the help by the way! Much appreciated.

 

[USAFRet]

Would there be really any reason for me to go with Cat6? I know it's better, but is it that much better for the price? I've been looking at a site called cablestogo.com.

How does this look? http://www.cablestogo.com/product/24396

I'm in the same position, but wiring the whole house, instead of just to one room.
Cat6 is only worth it if it is around the same price as Cat5e.

Cat6 will do 10GB, but only at short distances.
Cat6a will do 10GB over longer distances, but at significantly higher cost.


$25 is waaaaay too much for 50' of Cat5e. Amazon does 100' for $6-$12.
http://www.amazon.com/100ft-Ethernet-Network-Internet-Computer/dp/B00BMZ70XW

That specific one only has two reviews, so I'd be scared to buy it, especially since one of the reviews is bad!
How's this look? http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-N201-050-RD-Gigabit-Snagless/dp/B001FCCL3Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1380745711&sr=1-1&keywords=cat5e+cable+50ft

Also, what does it mean by "patch" or "snagless"? Thanks for all the help by the way! Much appreciated.

There are others:
http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-Networking-Cat5e-Patch-Cable/dp/B003O9FZUY
$13.00. 100'. 1,840 reviews, less than 200 below a 5 star.

"Snagless' has the rubber guard over the little clip thing.

The one you linked will work as well.

 

[Hobbes1995]

Thank you for all your help, kind sir!

As I said, much appreciated.