Question Why is WiFi on desktop computer 10x slower than laptop ?

[Wackness]

Hello,

I'll try not to butcher the english language, sorry in advance.

I just moved into a new apartment and as the title says I have a 10 times difference between laptop and desktop computer wifi speed.

I have a laptop (Dell latitude 5420) and a desktop computer (windows 10, motherboard GA-AB350M-Gaming 3 ) with a NetGear usb stick.

Both are on the same wifi network. My modem is a Bbox from Bouygues with optical fiber (it's french so I doubt it is known elsewhere).

Nothing is new : I had the same modem and the same PC and laptop in my previous apartment and both had ~200 Mbps.

Now my desktop computer has 15-20 Mbps and my laptop still has 200 Mbps. I use them both on the same spot, same distance from modem.

What could I try ? Thank you for reading!

 

[siaan312]

I would bet that the netgear usb stick is a 1x1, small antenna, while the laptop is a 2x2 proper antenna.
As for why it worked in the old apartment, a better antenna won't give you better speed, but better range, so it is likely the bigger distance affects the desktop more than the laptop.
You should try an internal pci-e 2x2 wifi antenna.

 

[kathypellerin]

maybe it causes by your WIFI Adapter!

 

[Wackness]

Thank you for your answers. I just did some tests, moving the modem around and yeah the wall that separate my computer and the modem drops the speed from 270mbps to 15mbps lol. It's like 40 centimeters (15 inches) thick.

Are there Wifi adapter that can go through that ?

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Would strongly suggest you use ethernet instead of WiFi on the desktop PC if at all possible.