Wifi on a Motherboard?

[ShadowStriker15]

The motherboard I'm looking to buy is the MSI Z97- Gaming 5 ATX. I don't know exactly if this motherboard has wifi with it or if I would have to buy additional addons for wireless wifi. Any help would be much appreciative.

 

[Luminary]

No, that motherboard doesn't come with built-in WIFI, you'll need to either get an external USB dongle or internal PCIe adapter card.

 

[Suztera]

There is no wifi onboard. You have to get a USB or add in card wifi adapter.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Or you can get a WIFI range extender like the Netgear EX2700. It connects wirelessly to your router and has an ethernet port that you can connect to your computer with a Cat5 cable. Cost around $30. Benefit of going that route is that in addition to connecting the computer you have is it extends the WIFI coverage within your house, if you have other devices needing wifi.

 

[ShadowStriker15]

No, that motherboard doesn't come with built-in WIFI, you'll need to either get an external USB dongle or internal PCIe adapter card.

Which route do you prefer? And if I do go the PCIe adapter card route, how do I find the correct one?

 

[ShadowStriker15]

Or you can get a WIFI range extender like the Netgear EX2700. It connects wirelessly to your router and has an ethernet port that you can connect to your computer with a Cat5 cable. Cost around $30. Benefit of going that route is that in addition to connecting the computer you have is it extends the WIFI coverage within your house, if you have other devices needing wifi.

Sounds like a cool idea. However, I'm just looking to get be able to connect to my router from my pc.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Well, what I suggested does just that. I would probably not go with a usb wireless adapter, they are generally not as good as a PCIe adapter card (signal strength). The PCIe card will most likely have one or more antennas. A lot will depend on the distance from your computer to the router, how thick the walls are, other conflicting wifi devices in your neighborhood, etc. A wired connection is going to give you the fastest speeds, but if you can't go that route, go with a PCIe adapter card.

 

[ShadowStriker15]

Well, what I suggested does just that. I would probably not go with a usb wireless adapter, they are generally not as good as a PCIe adapter card (signal strength). The PCIe card will most likely have one or more antennas. A lot will depend on the distance from your computer to the router, how thick the walls are, other conflicting wifi devices in your neighborhood, etc. A wired connection is going to give you the fastest speeds, but if you can't go that route, go with a PCIe adapter card.

Okay, but how do you find the right PCIe adapter card for yourself?

 

[Luminary]

Here's a very good one:

- Includes 802.11ac (High speed wireless connection up to 867 Mbps)
- Well reviewed
- Includes Bluetooth
- Supports Win 7, 8, and 10

Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $29.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-04 21:43 EST-0500

 

[ShadowStriker15]

Here's a very good one:

- Includes 802.11ac (High speed wireless connection up to 867 Mbps)
- Well reviewed
- Includes Bluetooth
- Supports Win 7, 8, and 10

Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $29.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-04 21:43 EST-0500

Looks awesome... so it's compatible? If so, thank you very much for the help!

 

[Luminary]

You bet, will work with your MSI Z97- Gaming 5 just fine. 😉

 

[ShadowStriker15]

You bet, will work with your MSI Z97- Gaming 5 just fine. 😉

Awesome! Thank you very much. This is a great community. So any wifi adapter will work with the motherboard or am I just limited to specific ones?

 

[Luminary]

Just about any would work. If you have Windows 10 you have to double check they have the correct drivers, not all of them do at the moment.

 

[ShadowStriker15]

Just about any would work. If you have Windows 10 you have to double check they have the correct drivers, not all of them do at the moment.

Okay, thank you so much for your help!

 

[Luminary]

You're most welcome, cheers. 😉

 

[zackaryl]

addons for wireless wifi

wow... Addons for "Wireless wifi"

 

[Schepkens Hendrik]

lolz dont get wifi for a desktop its a trap