Wireless adapter for gaming PC

[Spellbreak]

Hello,

I'm planning to buy a wireless adapter for my gaming PC, I have several options, but not sure which one to take. The most important thing for is to have a stable connection, without any drops when playing online games! My wireless router model TP-Link TL-WR740N.

Link for PCI-E adapters on Latvian market
I like TP-Link TL-WDN4800 or Asus PCE-N53, but I've read that some people had connection drops or couldn't play online games with them.

 

[volcanoscout]

Of the two, I'd go for the WDN4800. It's reviews are better overall and there are a lot more customer reviews available for it. You have to take them with a dose of salt though - there's so much variation in the PC and wireless environment these adapters are being used in, there's no guarantee that either will work well for you regardless of how it worked for others. You won't know for sure until you try it.

The parts of the reviews I pay more attention to are comments on build quality, software and firmware support, stuff like that. Things that are likely to be the same for most, if not all, users.

Edit: I should add that the TP Link can get you 150 Mbps more than the Asus, but whether you actually see it or not will depend on your service.

 

[Spellbreak]

Volcanoscout,

But about this adapter - Asus PCE-AC68? Is it worth it? Or there is now need for it because my router doesn't support ac? And the price is twice higher!

 

[volcanoscout]

Volcanoscout,

But about this adapter - Asus PCE-AC68? Is it worth it? Or there is now need for it because my router doesn't support ac? And the price is twice higher!

That's what I use now, but using router and adapter. Having one without the other is like owning a Ferrari without any money for gas. You're better off with a Honda with a full tank. Get the best matched set that you can, but my experience (and my experience only) is that bottlenecks tend to occur on the receiver side more often than the router end, so if I have to have a lopsided pair I invest in the receiver first, then upgrade the router when I can. Hope that helps.

 

[Spellbreak]

I just have few questions about the Asus PCE-AC68. I have Asus Maximus VII Hero and later I'm planning to get SLI for GTX780 TI in Corsair 550D case, so will adapter fit in one expansion slot? And can the heat from the GPU (70-80C) damage the adapter?

 

[volcanoscout]

I've got the same board and 770 SLI. With the adapter plugged into PCIEX1_1, there's 3-4mm clearance between the adapter's cooling fins and my top card. Haven't had any issues with the heat.

If you're running 70-80C with a single card, you're going to need to up your game when it comes to case cooling, especially if you want to SLI. What case fans are you using, and in what configuration?

 

[Spellbreak]

I have 2 in front 120mm intake, 1 rear 120mm exhaust, Corsair H110 with 2 140mm - 1 intake and 1 exhaust. Planning to get 200m side intake. But my fans are not running on full speed and ~75C it is when I play games, while idle GPU T. is about ~55C

 

[Spellbreak]

I've got the same board and 770 SLI. With the adapter plugged into PCIEX1_1, there's 3-4mm clearance between the adapter's cooling fins and my top card. Haven't had any issues with the heat.

Hello again,

Maybe you could upload some picture where I could see how it sits on the MB? The thing is shop won't accept it back if it just won't fit in 🙁 and the last thing it is possible to remove the heat sink from the adapter, and would it fit in PCIEX4_3?

 

[volcanoscout]

Sorry for the delay. Linked are two pics of my adapter installed in PCIEX1_1:

The heatsink can be removed but I don't know if that would be a great idea.

 

[Spellbreak]

Thank you! So looks like my GPU is a little bit bigger maybe 1mm or even less. I'm going to give it a try if not the PCIEX1_1 than in PCIEX4_1 will fit in for sure.

 

[volcanoscout]

I'm pretty sure you'll have a couple of mm to spare. It's hard to make out in the pics (camera insisted on focusing on leading edge of GPU), but as I said earlier, there's at least 3mm clearance between the top of the GPU and the lowest point on the adapter sink. I'll try to get a more accurate measurement this morning.

 

[Spellbreak]

No worries, I've already installed Asus PCE-AC68 adapter in PCIEX1_1 slot. It works good, so far no issues and I have 1-2mm space between GPU and adapter heat sink. Thank you for all your help in this matter

 

[volcanoscout]

That's awesome - happy gaming!

 

[Spellbreak]

Hi volcanoscout,

I need your help again How I already told the adapter is working fine, connection is stable and I can play games without lags, but there is a drop in a speed, a big one. 1st picture is from my notebook speed test and 2nd from PCE-AC68. The antennas and notebook are located near to each other, on the same table. There is some problems in configuration or what else may cause it?

Notebook

PCE-AC68

 

[volcanoscout]

Are these test results consistent? Are you testing the laptop and desktop at the same time or consecutively?

Try moving the antennae base away from any electronics or powered items like the laptop, fans, cordless phones, etc. You can also try adjusting the antennae orientation to see if that improves things. It looks like you're getting a good ping rate on the bandwidth you're getting, but may not be getting the best bandwidth.

I don't think distance to the router is an issue, but you may need to adjust the lateral or vertical orientation of the antennae to the router. (It's early yet for this, but you can also get extenders for the cables. You'd need three of them, but something like this: http://www.amazon.com/RP-SMA-Female-Antenna-Extension-Cable/dp/B0085X3PRE/ref=pd_cp_pc_1 . Just so you know they're available.)

 

[Spellbreak]

I was testing them consecutively. Ok, I'll try to change the environment, hope that will work. Thank you again!