Atheros vs Broadcom wireless.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows if there's a big difference between these 2 cards.. I'm looking to replace my current Atheros based one (Dell 1515) with a Broadcom based one (Dell 1510). Both are advertised as B/G/N cards..

Also, when replacing wireless cards the aerials need to be soldered onto the card itself, correct?

 

I think Atheros is better than Broadcom, but that is just purely subjective since I have no evidence to back it up except that I have had experience with both types of cards.

For these cards, the aerials are not soldered, rather they are tiny little plugs that can be relatively easily removed and installed.

 

I think the Atheros 1515 card was worse for me. While it recognized my wireless network, I could not connect to the internet using the Dell drivers. I had to use other modified drivers from http://www.laptopvideo2go.com to get the card to work.

 

I haven't used an Atheros card in my Studio 1535, but I used to have the Broadcom-based Dell card, and I recently switched to the Intel 5300...it's a far superior card. In the fight between Atheros and Broadcom, Intel wins.

idq000 is right. There is no need to solder anything on these wireless cards. Just unplug the antennae (might take a bit of jiggling, they're pretty secure once they're clamped on), and remove the screw holding it down, and pull it out of the slot. Installing a new one is just the opposite order. Put it in the slot, fold it down and secure it with the screw, and clip the antennae on the appropriate posts (this will take some pushing).

 

Unfortunately the intel card isn't really an option for me so it's just between these 2.

 

You mean Dell doesn't offer it as an option? You can always buy one from a third party or on eBay and install it yourself. My Studio 1535 only had the option for the Dell 1510, 1397, or Intel 5100. I ended up buying the Intel 5300 on eBay and installing it myself. Very easy process.

If it comes down to Atheros vs. Broadcom, though, I would go with the Broadcom, mostly because I've never had experience with the Atheros cards, and the Broadcom Bluetooth card I have is excellent.

 

No, it's not that I can't.. It's just I'm trying to get wireless in a somewhat *cough* unsupported *cough* operating system..

I've read that the broadcom card has full compatibility and works flawlessly, but the Atheros card I have now isn't supported.. I just want to know if it's work the £20 or so to get the Broadcom card.

 

I stick with Broadcom mainly because my wireless router uses Broadcom radio and Intel WiFi is more to with hype=centrino than anything.

Really, if the Intel radios where all that great you would find them equipped in wireless routers but the bottom line is they aint all that and no manufacturer (Linksys, DLink, Netgear, ect.,ect.) equips Intel as the radio in their routers.

 

Go with the Arteros card.

 

Lol guys.. I don't think I made this very clear.

I already have the Atheros card, but in order to get wifi working a certain OS I need the broadcom card. Now I don't mind buying the Broadcom card to replace the Atheros card, I just want to know if I'll have any noticeable differences if I were to switch.

 

I heard that Broadcom was susceptible to heat, how true i dont know.

 

I suppose the main difference you'll notice, then, is that the Broadcom card will work, and the Atheros card will not.

 

Given my own experiences with wireless, that might not be a noticeable difference.

What seems to matter more than the hardware, in my experience, is who updates the software more. Over the years, software upgrades have significantly increased the performance of my old 802.11g cards (Fewer drops, faster throughput for local file transfers, higher reported signal strength), both of which I believe are Aetheros.

 

I have direct experience with the OS made by a certain company from Cupertino, (on a Dell) which is what I assume you're talking about.

I actually have 2 cards, an Intel 5100 and a Dell 1397 in my computer, Intel for Windows and the Dell card for *cough* *cough*.

I recommend the Dell 1397 or 1510 because it's really easy to get it to work. While it's true that I didn't try the Atheros based 1515, I can say that my 1397 worked flawlessly after using the Broadcom Enabler Script. No problems to report with it, either.

 

I don't advise you to buy the broadcom. My mac has one. From time to time, i can hear some audio crackling when listening to music and surfing on the net on windows on my mac. There's definitely a problem with the broadcom drivers.

 

I've had trouble with a Dell Broadcom card, hence why I dont like them.

But there might be better drivers for OSX