Wireless Connector/adapter/bridge Thingy help

[Steeeeeve]

Ok so I'm currently trying to put together my gaming build which is this:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LZs8
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LZs8/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LZs8/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.71 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Intel 62205ANHMWDTX1 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($33.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($157.58 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech K100 Wired Slim Keyboard ($9.99 @ NCIX US)
Other: Wireless adapter bridge
Total: $1070.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 21:29 EDT-0400)

My only problem I have is trying to figure out what type of wireless network adapter I need. It's going upstairs in my room, so direct ethernet connection is not an option, also right now I have an apple airport extreme for my router since my parents are big apple fans. I heard of a thing called a wireless ethernet bridge which seems pretty cool, but I really know nothing at all about these wifi adapters so that doesn't really mean anything.

Also, I'm not sure why but everything seems to have ears and/or sits on the side of the computer.

Anything less than $40 would be ideal.

Any feedback or suggestions would be helpful.

 

[bill001g]

Wireless bridge is generally the most powerful and most flexible since they have their own power in most cases and are large enough to have good antenna spacing.

You have 3 options,the bridge, a USB wireless card, internal PCI card. I normally recommend a USB card that has external antenna and sits on top of the machine.

The key disadvantage to things like the PCI card is the antenna connect directly to the back of the card right next to the metal case. Then if you put in under a table against a wall you now are blocking the signal from all around.

Plugging those tiny USB adapters into the back of a computer has the same issues.

It is a trade off. You hide the network equipment from your view but that also hides it from the router. Generally if you could stand by the router and see the network adapter the radio signal will work very well also.

 

[Steeeeeve]

So there isn't going to be any issues because I have the Apple airport instead of like a netgear router? Also can you explain how a wireless bridge works? Will I need drivers for it? And the computer is going in my room with a floor and a wall in the way. Should I go with something more powerful like the bridge then?

 

[bill001g]

Everything runs the same exact wireless standard so brand does not matter. Inside there are only a very few vendors of the chips that all the manufactures use. Just like laptops...no matter the name on the outside it is likely intel on the inside.

In the simplest way a bridge converts a ethernet cable to a wireless signal. Part of the reason people use a bridge is that it appears to the device to be ethernet and not wireless so you need no special drivers. This is nice for things like a xbox where you CAN'T load a driver.

A bridge may or may not perform better. I normally use them in cases where I can get nothing else to work and am desperate. I buy ones with removable antenna so I can use direction antenna.

This is the USB adapter I like for today. This changes so if someone finds this thread a week from now it may be different and why I normally don't make specific recommendation.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=33-704-053

It would be nice if you could replace the antenna but for this price its ok. The key thing is this device can run mimo if you need and it does not cost more. It is only 2.4g if you need 5g band this will not meet your needs. (generally 2.4 will penetrate the floor/walls better than 5 even though it is more crowded)