Should I keep this expensive wireless network card that I have, or exchange it for a powerline adapter?

[Bojangle12]

I bought an ASUS PCE-AC68 wireless adapter to connect to the router. It cost $100, and is AC1900. I was wondering if I could buy a powerline adapter for equal or lesser cost, and would it be better?

The reason I'm asking is 1) I'd like to save money and 2) the card keeps connecting to the 5.2 GHz channel even though I set it to the 2.4 GHz channel. I need the 2.4ghz channel because the signal needs to pass through walls.

The router is a Verizon Quantum Gateway FiOS-G1100 router.

 

[Ralston18]

Is the current ASUS working? Frequency does not matter per se as the signal is going through the walls.

However, the question implies a problem so you may wish to consider a USB wireless network adapter matching the router's specs. USB adapters can be raised via a USB extension cable to improve the wireless connectivity. They are less expensive.

Power line adapters can be problematic based on the house circuitry and wiring.

Your first choice was wireless so I will recommend trying a wireless USB adapter first.

 

[Pooneil]

Powerline may or may not be better. Unfortunately there is no one best solution to non-ethernet networking and there is no way to optimize for your home except to try out different equipment. As much of a pain as it is, there is nothing wrong with returning the card to try something else till you find what works best for you. Stores have a return policy so customers can try the merchandise out at home.

Connecting on 5GHz may also provide a better connection that 2.4 GHZ even through walls and with fewer "bars" represented on the device. Or it may not. The run a speed check to see. If your main task is online usage, then a super fast card is going to be more than you need and you could save some money by buying a N based card. If you are streaming HD video or supporting multiple users, then the AC is a good choice.

So is the card working? If you want to force it to connect on 2.4 GHz, set an unique SSID on the router for the 2.4GHz radio and only connect to that.

 

[Bojangle12]

I'd like to point out my brother has a wireless extender in his room. Would this interfere with a powerline adapter, or vice versa?

Power line adapters can be problematic based on the house circuitry and wiring.

What is it about circuitry and wiring that makes in problematic? My house is maybe 50+ years old, never been rewired. There aren't any brick walls though.

And I read what you said about USB adapters. I don't think it would be better because they don't have antennae. My PCIe card has an antenna base with three antennae on it, and it is connected to the computer with a cord so I can position it around for better signal.

 

[Pooneil]

What is it about circuitry and wiring that makes in problematic? My house is maybe 50+ years old, never been rewired.

You wiring is sufficiently modern for age not to be an issue.

Modern 110V home wiring has two legs. That is different wires from the pole each providing 110Vs to a set of wiring circuits powering the plugs in your house. If the plugs near the router and the plugs near the computer are on different legs, the powerline service will be significantly degraded, or may not work at all. I've had it drop from 20 meg (the full connection speed at the time) to 2 meg depending on the plug.

This can sometimes be overcome by trying different plugs in the same room, which if it works, will be OK for attaching a WiFi access point but may require relocating the computer or dealing with ill placed ethernet wires. It is a try and find out situation and the best solution will depend as much on what you are doing on the computer as the technology. Shoot-em-up gaming over moderate quality wifi is notoriously self defeating even if you can stream youtube just fine.

 

[Ralston18]

Pretty much agree with Pooneil.

Will add that in a home that age (as is mine) there is a pretty fair chance that someone, qualified or not, has made changes/"repairs" to the electrical system. The consequences of those changes per se may not appear for years....

And it is good that you put the ASUS antenna extension into use. You may wish to check the recommended antenna orientations - sometimes the intended operational orientation is overlooked.

Also, many successful, well-performing USB wireless adapters do not have visible antennas. The presence or absence of a visible antenna is not necessarily a meaningful indicator.