What do I without a wifi motherboard?

[Mr potato]

Okay,

So I'm looking at the X470 gaming f series for something like $210, and I see it has no wifi built in.

What does that mean? Once I put my parts together will I not be able to connect to my home wifi? If not how do I fix this?
I'm also looking at the X470 PRO for about $160.

 

[captaincharisma]

yes your motherboard only has an ethernet adapter built into it so your only option is a wired connection.

if you end up getting a motherboard with no wifi there are USB and PCI-E wifi adapters you can add to your build

 

[bignastyid]

Add a pci-e or usb wifi card or just use a wired connection(usually faster and more reliable anyway).

 

[jsmithepa]

No Ethernet in your room then? 'cuz that's best.

 

[photonboy]

All above true... however assuming an Ethernet cables is not an option you should know that for MOST people any inexpensive USB thumb-stick adapter should be fine.

There are two main reasons to spend more:
1) network gaming (where latency/ping matters... not my area), and
2) where sheer bandwidth matters

The best adapters AFAIK now are "ac" but your Router must support that. You should also find out what your maximum DOWNLOAD is.

Examples:
1) ac (good, uses USB3.0) https://pcpartpicker.com/product/tj2rxr/netgear-wireless-network-card-a6210100pas

2) basic "n" (may be sufficient for your needs) https://pcpartpicker.com/product/psdqqs/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwn722n

3) PCIe, 2.4GHz and 5GHz https://pcpartpicker.com/product/G4H323/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwdn4800

(5GHz adds to the adapter cost so if the router doesn't support it cheaper adapters exist for just 2.4GHz)

Alternatives to that include:
Powerline adapters (plug into AC socket at location of router and PC).. old post explains:
https://www.techradar.com/news/networking/powerline-networking-what-you-need-to-know-930691

Basically replaces running an Ethernet cable so should be the most reliable and fastest connection.

*There's more info that this but I didn't want to confuse things more. You need to start with knowing YOUR OWN NETWORK requirements.

 

[Karadjgne]

I'm not a fan of motherboard wifi. Of all the things that burn out the fastest, that's near top of the list. It's also not upgradable. So if you opt for a mobo with n300 and your house is using a 1600, expect some serious slow connections vrs even a cell phone. I have wifi on my z77 mobo. Used it once, just to test it out. I get slower up/down speeds than this Galaxy S5 I'm using now.

Add on wifi cards are always the better option, they can be balanced against what the network can handle/is using. Mobo wifi is a 1 shot deal and you are stick with whatever you can get out of it.