Help! I know nothing about gaming PC but son bought one

[sarasbeth]

My 13 year old son just bought this following PC from someone. It doesn't have wifi connectivity. Is
This correct? iBuyGaming Enthusiast Desktop PC AM010A AMD FX-6300 3.5Ghz, NVIDIA Geforce GT 710 1GB, 8GB DDR3 RAM, 1TB 7200RPM HDD, Win 10

I was told to buy a USB dongle?!?
Will that help?
Thanks!!

 

[Darkbreeze]

It would be better/faster to simply use an ethernet cable to connect it to your cable modem or router, but if that's not possible, then something like this should work.

There ARE cheaper ones, but when it comes to wireless adapters, much like wireless routers, you pretty much get what you pay for and cheap adapters give you cheap signal quality. So, any USB 3.0 wireless N or AC adapter will work, but this would probably be the lowest end unit I'd buy for my own self, although unless it was a mobile device I'd just run Ethernet cable to it as it's much faster, more reliable and won't cut out or drop signal strength, ever.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link - Archer T4UH USB 3.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $29.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-20 22:14 EST-0500


I REALLY think that calling that a "gaming" system is QUITE the stretch though. It's got a five or six year old FX processor and a VERY low end graphics card. In reality, that system isn't much more than a basic business machine or internet browser, although you will be able to play very low demand games or pretty much any kind of online, in browser games. It will not play any real PC games though unless you are willing to turn every possible setting down to it's lowest setting, and even then it would be crappy and almost not enjoyable.

Perfectly fine for basic internet and application use though.

 

[geofelt]

If you want wireless connectivity, a USB dongle will work. They are cheap.
The better ones will have some sort of an antenna for better reception.

I surmise that this is a normal sized desktop.
If so, you should be able to buy a add in card which will plug into a pci or pcie slot.
Such cards will have antennas and will work a bit better.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Agreed. Using a PCIe slot wireless adapter is also an option. Probably actually a better option, but a little bit more involved than simply plugging in a USB adapter (And the one I suggested DOES have antennas) and installing a driver. Still, it's an option if you feel like you are able to open the case, install a PCIe card and install the necessary drivers, if it's even required. These days most stuff just automagically installs Microsoft generic drivers. Manufacturer specific drivers are always the better option though, giving better compatibility and performance.

You can get a PCIe adapter, something like this, if you'd rather do that than a USB dongle adapter.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus - PCE-AC55BT B1 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($33.19 @ OutletPC)
Total: $33.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-20 23:45 EST-0500


Or if you want one a bit better, something like this, with beamforming tech, but you'll want to also have a router with beamforming tech, and omnidirectional support:

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-PCI-Express-Beamforming-Archer-T9E/dp/B00TQEX7AQ