Question Which wireless Adapter is better?

[FluffyButtonsXD]

I realized my ASUS PCE-a68 AC1900 is $129(currently on amazon), it was given to me with an older custom built tower. I also looked up on when it was released and i saw it was back in 2013? I might be wrong i don’t know. I was wondering why it is that much for that specific wireless adapter? The last driver update for the AC68 (AC1900) was for Windows 10 in 2016/2017. I was looking up more recent ones like the TP-Link AX3000 and its only $44.99 for black friday. I used pcpartpicker to see what wireless adapter can work with my desktop and the TP-Link BE9300 says its not compatible. I thought any wireless adapter would work?? My current desktop is this link here My Build i can’t do ethernet. Why is the asus one that much if its older?? And newer ones are cheap??

 

[bill001g]

maybe neither.
There are no official supported drivers for wifi7 devices in window10. Many people say you can use the windows 11 drivers but I am not sure if that is 100% the case.

It really doesn't matter wifi7 does not really give you much over wifi6e.

The other adapter is ok but you might as well search for wifi6e and see if it is not about the same price. You do want the units you have listed with the antenna connected via wires this makes a large difference on a desktop machine.

Part of the reason is asus likes to charge more money because their name is printed on the outside. Internally everything uses the same wifi chipset from two or three chipset manufactures.

 

[kanewolf]

I realized my ASUS PCE-a68 AC1900 is $129(currently on amazon), it was given to me with an older custom built tower. I also looked up on when it was released and i saw it was back in 2013? I might be wrong i don’t know. I was wondering why it is that much for that specific wireless adapter? The last driver update for the AC68 (AC1900) was for Windows 10 in 2016/2017. I was looking up more recent ones like the TP-Link AX3000 and its only $44.99 for black friday. I used pcpartpicker to see what wireless adapter can work with my desktop and the TP-Link BE9300 says its not compatible. I thought any wireless adapter would work?? My current desktop is this link here My Build i can’t do ethernet. Why is the asus one that much if its older?? And newer ones are cheap??

Price is determined by many things and more expensive does not equal "better". It is probably expensive now, because it is scarce. When introduced, it was high quality, and had a premium price. Anybody selling them new today is still trying to get that premium price.
The performance of ANY WIFI is dependent on many things. But the type of router, the distance from the router and the amount of obstructions between the client and router are the primary factors. The WIFI adapters with 6Ghz are only faster, if the router is in the same room or directly adjacent. Why? 6Ghz doesn't penetrate walls well. Then you are in similar performance to your Asus. The AX and BE adapters both support the newer AX protocol. If you have a 5Ghz router that also supports it you may get better performance.
@bill001g brings up a good point about drivers and OS compatibility. You should look CAREFULLY at that aspect.

 

[FluffyButtonsXD]

maybe neither.
There are no official supported drivers for wifi7 devices in window10. Many people say you can use the windows 11 drivers but I am not sure if that is 100% the case.

It really doesn't matter wifi7 does not really give you much over wifi6e.

The other adapter is ok but you might as well search for wifi6e and see if it is not about the same price. You do want the units you have listed with the antenna connected via wires this makes a large difference on a desktop machine.

Part of the reason is asus likes to charge more money because their name is printed on the outside. Internally everything uses the same wifi chipset from two or three chipset manufactures.

Okay, my next question is if i am limited to what wireless adapter i use, like what is compatible with my build? Or is every wifi adapter pcie the same? I just dont know why pcpartpicker only shows me so many options. Anything newer i find doesn’t show on pcpartpicker

 

[kanewolf]

Okay, my next question is if i am limited to what wireless adapter i use, like what is compatible with my build? Or is every wifi adapter pcie the same? I just dont know why pcpartpicker only shows me so many options. Anything newer i find doesn’t show on pcpartpicker

It is probably because of lack of drivers. That is what @bill001g emphasized. Before choosing hardware, go to the manufacturer's website and see if there are drivers for the OS you are running.
Your "My Build" shows you running Win11. You should be OK with drivers.

 

[FluffyButtonsXD]

It is probably because of lack of drivers. That is what @bill001g emphasized. Before choosing hardware, go to the manufacturer's website and see if there are drivers for the OS you are running.
Your "My Build" shows you running Win11. You should be OK with drivers.

Makes sense, so i should definitely look into wifi6e wireless adapters? Where my router is, is underneath my room. Do you by chance what the best ones are? Idk if you saw my reply to @bill001g but does hardware compatibility matter for wifi cards or do they all connect via pcie? And i do have a 5ghz router btw. I looked at my current ac68 settings and its only pushing 2.4ghz and i dont have an option for 5ghz in settings.

 

[kanewolf]

Makes sense, so i should definitely look into wifi6e wireless adapters? Where my router is, is underneath my room. Do you by chance what the best ones are? Idk if you saw my reply to @bill001g but does hardware compatibility matter for wifi cards or do they all connect via pcie? And i do have a 5ghz router btw. I looked at my current ac68 settings and its only pushing 2.4ghz and i dont have an option for 5ghz in settings.

The problem with "directly below" is that WIFI routers are designed to radiate horizontally. You are in the weakest signal area directly above a router.
A router with adjustable antennas, the you could point at a 45 degree UP angle might give you best signal. Having your PC antennas pointed horizontally might improve your signal. You have to test.

 

[dwd999]

As far as motherboard compatibility goes many wifi adapters require a connection with a usb 2 socket on the motherboard to provide bluetooth. So you would want to make sure that you have a vacant usb 2 socket available unless you're sure that you don't need bluetooth. You should download and read the manual for any adapter before purchasing it.