Question MSI X470 Gaming M7 AC (UPC: 824142161456) WiFi hardware -- Can it be physically removed?

[AllanGH]

I bought this MB a few days ago, and am just waiting on fulfillment.

It only now occurred to me that this has wireless hardware that is supposedly interfaced to the PCIe lanes. Since I don't use WiFi, I would like to remove that particular piece of cruft, if it is possible to do so.

Does anybody have hands-on experience with this specific MB and, if so, can you tell me if there is a physical board that I can liberate from the MB; or, absent that possibility, can the WiFi hardware be disabled via UEFI configs?

 

[tennis2]

Just disable it in BIOS.

 

[AllanGH]

The manual states that "The wireless card is pre-installed in the M2_3 (M.2 Key E) slot." but there is no corresponding callout on the MB connector diagram.

My thought is that, if the hardware is present as a module, I prefer to remove it and store it in the MB box.

If the wireless is integrated into the chipset, then I'll settle for disabling it in config, and loading each of the WiFi antenna connectors with a 50Ω resistor.

Maybe it's a good idea to pick up the connectors anyway, just in case.

 

[tennis2]

Kinda sucks that you spent extra money on the "AC" version and don't need/ want to use it.

 

[AllanGH]

Yeah, but I ran with the model number that the MSI tech and I finally came-up with, and he never mentioned the integrated wireless. Seeing that there was only one left in stock on a promotional price "forced" me to pull the trigger on it when I saw it. LOL

 

[tennis2]

Hey. Never know when you'll need WiFi.

 

[AllanGH]

My desktop is wired GbE, and lives on a high shelf above my desk.

Outside of bridging the thermostat, Echos, and Google Home screen into the wired network, WiFi is useless to me.

Now, a BT + ZigBee only module would make my life easier...