PCI-E Wifi Card Suggestions

[humanized]

So after almost 3 different speeds of internet providers and my connection speed not getting even half the speed of the internet plan, I am almost certain that my $20 wifi card is to blame. So I have a question. What cards out there should be better but not crazy expensive to get a better connection through walls and such? Or am I just stuck with it? Also my grandfathers store bought pc is right next to the router, separated by a wall and he is getting 40mb/s.

Currently have a 300mb/s plan with TWC and multiple speed tests read that I am getting 4-14mb/s

My Current Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320071

 

[Barty1884]

I can't find a 300Mb/s plan, the best I see is their "Ultimate" with "Up to 50Mbps"

Regardless, I'd suggest confirming the model of the router, and we can better understand the wifi standards it supports.

If I were to hazard a guess, your router (and your grandfathers 'store bought' PC) support 802.11ac (5GHz) and that's why they're seeing higher speeds - just an assumption.

Your adapter tops out at 802.11n (on 2.4GHz), limiting you to the more congested signal (2.4GHz) and lower speeds.

You don't have to spend a lot - you don't even have to stick with PCIe (which tend to be a little more expensive).
I've had great success with this ASUS USB3.0 option: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320216

It can be had for $49 initially, with a $20 rebate.

Of course, this assumes you have an AC wifi capable router.

 

[humanized]

I can't find a 300Mb/s plan, the best I see is their "Ultimate" with "Up to 50Mbps"

Regardless, I'd suggest confirming the model of the router, and we can better understand the wifi standards it supports.

If I were to hazard a guess, your router (and your grandfathers 'store bought' PC) support 802.11ac (5GHz) and that's why they're seeing higher speeds - just an assumption.

Your adapter tops out at 802.11n (on 2.4GHz), limiting you to the more congested signal (2.4GHz) and lower speeds.

You don't have to spend a lot - you don't even have to stick with PCIe (which tend to be a little more expensive).
I've had great success with this ASUS USB3.0 option: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320216

It can be had for $49 initially, with a $20 rebate.

Of course, this assumes you have an AC wifi capable router.

Forgot to mention that it is a Modem/Router 2 in 1. I took a picture of the info on the back of the device.

 

[Barty1884]

Ok, I was half-right.....sort of.

Your router supports the 5GHz 802.11n standard - 5GHz is a less congested signal & has the ability for faster throughput.
I would assume your granfathers rig is connecting to the 5GHz signal (assuming it's also wifi). - Can you confirm the model of the adapter in his setup? (Device Manager should help)

Your wifi adapter is limited to the 2.4GHz frequency - meaning you're on the most congested of the two (*most* cordless home phones, bluetooth devices, even microwaves all use the 2.4GHz frequency) - there is a bit of a speed difference too, but the congestion is likely the main culprit.

I found this:
http://forums.timewarnercable.com/t5/Connectivity/TG1672G-Modem-doesn-t-support-802-11ac-WiFi-for-300Mbps-Speed/td-p/106185

They also mention a 300Mb/s plan, so it must exist.

So, you have some options. The simplest, most stable option would be to run an ethernet cable to your setup, but I'll stick to the wireless option.

Option 1 - speeds similar to your grandfathers

Upgrade your wifi adapter to one that can utilize a 5GHz signal. Most AC wifi adapters can utilize wireless N on a 5GHz signal - not all can though. There will be some wireless N options that can use 5GHz, but a lot (like your current one) are limited to 2.4GHz.


Option 2 - Upgrade speeds dramatically

1*. A modem/router upgrade, to one supporting 802.11ac - ideally TWC would be able to provide this, but the forum post is still pretty new, so I assume they can't/wont'. Your grandfather can still connect his N device to

2*. Purchase an 802.11ac repeater/access point, run an ethernet cable from your existing router to it, and configure for use.

*Either way, you will need a wifi adapter upgrade (the one I linked should be perfect, but if you want PCIe options, I can link some too).

I have a 100Mb/s plan that I exceed slightly (see my sig) with the adapter I linked in my first reply.

Realistically, without either a router/wifi adapter upgrade (or at least an AC access point & wifi adapter upgrade) a 300Mb/s plan is pointless. You'll never achieve speeds remotely close to those on your existing hardware - and I find it ridiculous that's the modem/router that TWC are providing on the plan.

 

[humanized]

Ok, I was half-right.....sort of.

Your router supports the 5GHz 802.11n standard - 5GHz is a less congested signal & has the ability for faster throughput.
I would assume your granfathers rig is connecting to the 5GHz signal (assuming it's also wifi). - Can you confirm the model of the adapter in his setup? (Device Manager should help)

Your wifi adapter is limited to the 2.4GHz frequency - meaning you're on the most congested of the two (*most* cordless home phones, bluetooth devices, even microwaves all use the 2.4GHz frequency) - there is a bit of a speed difference too, but the congestion is likely the main culprit.

I found this:
http://forums.timewarnercable.com/t5/Connectivity/TG1672G-Modem-doesn-t-support-802-11ac-WiFi-for-300Mbps-Speed/td-p/106185

They also mention a 300Mb/s plan, so it must exist.

So, you have some options. The simplest, most stable option would be to run an ethernet cable to your setup, but I'll stick to the wireless option.

Option 1 - speeds similar to your grandfathers

Upgrade your wifi adapter to one that can utilize a 5GHz signal. Most AC wifi adapters can utilize wireless N on a 5GHz signal - not all can though. There will be some wireless N options that can use 5GHz, but a lot (like your current one) are limited to 2.4GHz.


Option 2 - Upgrade speeds dramatically

1*. A modem/router upgrade, to one supporting 802.11ac - ideally TWC would be able to provide this, but the forum post is still pretty new, so I assume they can't/wont'. Your grandfather can still connect his N device to

2*. Purchase an 802.11ac repeater/access point, run an ethernet cable from your existing router to it, and configure for use.

*Either way, you will need a wifi adapter upgrade (the one I linked should be perfect, but if you want PCIe options, I can link some too).

I have a 100Mb/s plan that I exceed slightly (see my sig) with the adapter I linked in my first reply.

Realistically, without either a router/wifi adapter upgrade (or at least an AC access point & wifi adapter upgrade) a 300Mb/s plan is pointless. You'll never achieve speeds remotely close to those on your existing hardware - and I find it ridiculous that's the modem/router that TWC are providing on the plan.

Ok. So my grandfathers wifi card is a Dell 2.4ghz PCI-E. Although I havent had any major problems with my internet, it just bugs me a bit. I guess the only problem would be downloading a big file. I guess I could get a better card if you say it helps. Otherwise my family wont really want to have a talk with TWC since they are fine with the internet

 

[humanized]

Ok, I was half-right.....sort of.

Your router supports the 5GHz 802.11n standard - 5GHz is a less congested signal & has the ability for faster throughput.
I would assume your granfathers rig is connecting to the 5GHz signal (assuming it's also wifi). - Can you confirm the model of the adapter in his setup? (Device Manager should help)

Your wifi adapter is limited to the 2.4GHz frequency - meaning you're on the most congested of the two (*most* cordless home phones, bluetooth devices, even microwaves all use the 2.4GHz frequency) - there is a bit of a speed difference too, but the congestion is likely the main culprit.

I found this:
http://forums.timewarnercable.com/t5/Connectivity/TG1672G-Modem-doesn-t-support-802-11ac-WiFi-for-300Mbps-Speed/td-p/106185

They also mention a 300Mb/s plan, so it must exist.

So, you have some options. The simplest, most stable option would be to run an ethernet cable to your setup, but I'll stick to the wireless option.

Option 1 - speeds similar to your grandfathers

Upgrade your wifi adapter to one that can utilize a 5GHz signal. Most AC wifi adapters can utilize wireless N on a 5GHz signal - not all can though. There will be some wireless N options that can use 5GHz, but a lot (like your current one) are limited to 2.4GHz.


Option 2 - Upgrade speeds dramatically

1*. A modem/router upgrade, to one supporting 802.11ac - ideally TWC would be able to provide this, but the forum post is still pretty new, so I assume they can't/wont'. Your grandfather can still connect his N device to

2*. Purchase an 802.11ac repeater/access point, run an ethernet cable from your existing router to it, and configure for use.

*Either way, you will need a wifi adapter upgrade (the one I linked should be perfect, but if you want PCIe options, I can link some too).

I have a 100Mb/s plan that I exceed slightly (see my sig) with the adapter I linked in my first reply.

Realistically, without either a router/wifi adapter upgrade (or at least an AC access point & wifi adapter upgrade) a 300Mb/s plan is pointless. You'll never achieve speeds remotely close to those on your existing hardware - and I find it ridiculous that's the modem/router that TWC are providing on the plan.

But I would much rather like to have a PCI-E

 

[Barty1884]

Hmmm, very strange if it's a 2.4GHz chip too - does it have additional attennas vs yours?

A new adapter will help some, absolutely.

While I can appreciate your family not wanting to talk with TWC, I would encourage you to bring it up.
A 300Mb/s plan is impossible on that router/modem - I'd even question the legality in selling a product you can't actually obtain (although they'll likely counter with the fact they're quoting 'wired' speeds).

What's your budget for a new PCIe adapter?

 

[humanized]

Hmmm, very strange if it's a 2.4GHz chip too - does it have additional attennas vs yours?

A new adapter will help some, absolutely.

While I can appreciate your family not wanting to talk with TWC, I would encourage you to bring it up.
A 300Mb/s plan is impossible on that router/modem - I'd even question the legality in selling a product you can't actually obtain (although they'll likely counter with the fact they're quoting 'wired' speeds).

What's your budget for a new PCIe adapter?

Well actually. It turns out that my aunt had the exact same problem with on the exact same router/modem we have with TWC and she called them and had them put in a new one. So I think we are going to call them to get the one that she has.