Dual Band Vs Single?

[Chris Beldam]

So im upgrading my wireless card to a dual band card. This model if you must know http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007GMPZ0A/ref=twister_B00CD3LUX8

However what is the difference in speed and signal between this and a single band card?

 

[thor220]

A dual band card will use the 2.4 Ghz band and the 5Ghz band to receive wireless signals. It won't do any good if you don't have a router/modem that broadcasts on both bands as well.

Depending on where you live, you could see a large speed boost. A person in a city with many wifi networks will see a large improvement. If you live somewhere more open, a single band card will be just as fast, assuming it's the same wireless specification as the card above.

 

[kanewolf]

5Ghz can help where the 2.4Ghz is very congested as @thor220 said. The bad thing about 5Ghz is that it doesn't penetrate walls as well as 2.4Ghz. The card you linked to is a dual stream card. It will have a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 300Mbits. It is called N600 because that 300Mbits could be at 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz. You will need an N600 (or better) router to ensure full utilization. In the same room as the router (assuming it is 5Ghz) you should see good bandwidth. In other rooms, your mileage will vary.....

 

[Chris Beldam]

5Ghz can help where the 2.4Ghz is very congested as @thor220 said. The bad thing about 5Ghz is that it doesn't penetrate walls as well as 2.4Ghz. The card you linked to is a dual stream card. It will have a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 300Mbits. It is called N600 because that 300Mbits could be at 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz. You will need an N600 (or better) router to ensure full utilization. In the same room as the router (assuming it is 5Ghz) you should see good bandwidth. In other rooms, your mileage will vary.....

would it be better me getting the 450mbps one? and will the range increase over a single band card?

 

[kanewolf]

Range of WIFI is very difficult to predict. How "crowded" is the 2.4Ghz area? Do you live in a college apartment or a single family home on a large lot?

What router do you have?

 

[Chris Beldam]

Range of WIFI is very difficult to predict. How "crowded" is the 2.4Ghz area? Do you live in a college apartment or a single family home on a large lot?

What router do you have?

Small detached house and the virgin superhub 2 (i know its had a lot of problems) but signal is very good in my small house

 

[kanewolf]

According to the specs that is a three stream 5Ghz router. If the 5Ghz signal is good, a three stream (450Mbit) adapter should work. It looks like it is only a 2 stream 2.4Ghz router -- The card you identified will take full advantage of that capability -- no need for a more expensive card.