Question Which wireless network adapter do I need?

[peteblazey]

I have to move my pc to a desk with no ethernet access, so I need a wireless network adapter. I want to buy from my local store, and I want the best quality out of it. I have a 50MBPS connection, this motherboard, this modem, and this router, which I will be using the most. There are options for a 2.4GHz and 5GHz connection, I would like to utilise 5GHz. I don't really have a budget restriction, the most expensive one from my local shop is $150AUD ($107USD), link here, and I was wondering if perhaps it was a bit overkill. Store link here if anyone is curious. Thanks!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

https://beta.msy.com.au/asus-usb-ac68-ac1900-wireless-dual-band-usb30-adapter
I use this exact one , great adapter.
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/USB-AC68/DR_USB_AC68_2139.zip
Use the latest adapter from the ASUS site ^

 

[peteblazey]

https://beta.msy.com.au/asus-usb-ac68-ac1900-wireless-dual-band-usb30-adapter
I use this exact one , great adapter.
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/wireless/USB-AC68/DR_USB_AC68_2139.zip
Use the latest adapter from the ASUS site ^

Do you find that it being USB affects your network performance?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Not really and the 5ghz. runs perfectly. Best adapter I've owned. Using it right now.

 

[peteblazey]

Not really and the 5ghz. runs perfectly. Best adapter I've owned. Using it right now.

If my modem is ac1300 and this adapter is ac1900 are they still compatible?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Yes they are 100%.

 

[bill001g]

The best ones tend to be the internal pci cards. It is hard without digging a lot though fcc databases to find the output power on USB devices. Many are designed to be portable so have smaller antenna and lower power output to conserve battery. It is hard to find ones that are targeted at the desktop market.

PCI cards tend to put out the maximum power. The best pci cards allow you to mount the antenna away from the case.

It does not pay to buy the fancy $149 4x4 mimo card since your router only support 3x3. Even the 3x3 is kinda overkill but if you do not care about price the asus device is considered one of the best on the market

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

The ASUS USB comes with a nice cable so you can move it around , like I stated it's best I've ever owned , even runs flawlessly on my Linux KDE Manjaro. I use it with 3 windows setups and 1 Linux.