Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 vs Ultimate-N 6300

I'm comparing the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 and the Ultimate-N 6300 wifi cards. It looks like the big difference is that the 6200 supports 300 Mb/s Receive | 300 Mb/s Transmit while the 6300 supports 450 Mb/s Receive 450 Mb/s Transmit.

I don't really care about speed, I'm more interested in range and battery life. Does anyone know if there is a difference in range / power consumption between these two wifi cards?

 

Well the 6200 has 2 antennas and the 6300 has 3 antennas. So in theory the 6300 should have better reception. It doesn't mean better range, but because of the extra antenna, connection speed will be better at the same range. So you could say you have a better range.

 

each antenna is for a diff band BGN most likely

 

I didn't even know these were available. Any advantage to going with a 6200 over an Intel 5100? And would it even fit in the same slot and be compatible with Montevina?

 

I notice a 2 "stick" improvement in signal strength going from a 5300 to a 6300.

 

Not exactly scientific

It would be interesting if you could accurately measure and see if you are getting more range (i.e. the laptop can still receive signal 50 feet / 15 meters further away from the router when using the 6300).

 

Where can I get one of these cards? I haven't been able to find them online.

 

Dell sells them with their studio 15 for example

 

Yeah I just got the 6200 off ebay.

 

Where do i buy these aside from ebay?

 

I see one of these available on Amazon.

 

I would steer clear of these for awhile until they stop selling remarked ES, yes even on amazon. They are barely available in prebuilt laptops, legitimate OEM cards may be awhile if ever.

Hint: "Cenrtino" on the clearly fake label, seen same seller on fleabay.

If you only use in windows it may be fine, linux drivers have to load more stuff after boot which checks eeprom version: it fails on ES.

$10-15 for a remarked but functional 5300 isn't bad, but $60 for a remarked 6200 is terrible.

You are also guaranteed the wimax function on __50 ES versions will never work on real isps. I'd love to get a half-height 6250 someday but I don't think they plan on ever releasing white box versions of those.

 

Link please? Can't find them.

Where's your proof of this claim?

 

Aluminum is correct.

 

So the one you bought is a remarked ES as well?

 

Hell no. Mine is genuine straight from Intel.

 

Ah. Is there a possibility that the one in Provantage is a remarked ES?

 

I doubt it. The one on Provantage is dropshipped directly from Intel. I don't think Intel would sell you ES cards.

 

Gee, I dunno, what is the correct spelling of intel's integrated wireless chipset brand? Then go look at the amazon picture, and some of the ebay pictures. Searching "intel 6200" works.

Add a linux kernel driver error boot message that is easy to diagnose on google.

Toss a couple full 5350s and half 5300s on top as cherries.

Bake well done with a couple emails to intel itself, they wash their hands of any whitebox generic (aka unlocked to bios) cards.

Protip: so far the fakers are not duplicating the yellow backing on the labels of legitimate cards.

 

Intel "Puma Peak" Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 Wireless $59.99

 

How can you tell if the card is a remarked ES card?

Does this look legit?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...75573&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3968wt_1165

 

Hi Slaughterhouse,


This looks good as well: GENUINE INTEL Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 633ANHMW Wifi



From Intel: Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 and Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200

<O </O
<O</O

Not bad for $48.00

 

I don't know how you can tell if it's a non-ES card though.

 

Slaughterhouse,


What do you mean by non-ES card? Just to clarify you’re meaning of the term.



Thank You,<O </O

 

ES = Engineering sample, he wants a retail version.

 

Hi Abula,


That’s what I thought, so what’s the problem?


<O </O

 

Ok...for those who do not understand, I"ll try to ask it simpler. How can you tell if the card you're buying online is a legitimate retail card and not a remarked ES card?

 

The 5300 also supports 450mbps.

You will can only get them gray market... resellers and Ebay. No one really sells PCI-E card through normal retail channels. They leave that to Linksys and Netgear, Belkin etc...

 

The one you linked to had Centrino spelled wrong, so that is a dead giveaway. Look to see if the seller promises that it isn't an ES card, that the label looks right, and check the feedback to see if others have bought it.

 

Hi Trottel,


I missed that, good eye!! <O </O

 

Wow + rep for that! Thanks.

I got another one off Provantage. Hopefully this one is real.

In the meantime, anyone wanna buy my other 6200 card? lol

 

Slaughterhouse,


Do you mean this one: Wifi Link 6300 633AN.HMWWB Half Height Minicard VPRO Enabled Retail


Not bad for $25.71, looks like a good deal.

And No Deal on your 6200 card... lol

 

No I bought the 6200.

 

Anybody have a source for an antenna? I have two in my Laptop and need a third antenna for a 6300.

What common/inexpensive Routers do 450mbps?

Thanx!

 

Both good questions. I imagine ebay would be a good source for the wires, but I'm interested in the router question too.

 

I just received my 6200 card from A+ Tech, and need in fairness to them to say that the card I received is NOT as pictured on the Amazon page, "Centrino" is NOT misspelled, both labels front & back are intact with professionally crisp printing. I examined the card under a 10X loupe and could find no evidence on the pin connectors or around the mounting screw surrounds of the card ever having been installed before. The card is now installed in my ASUS G73JH and functioning perfectly under Intel's newest drivers. In short I have no reason to believe this card is an Engineering Sample or anything but a genuine Intel retail product that was part of a bulk order as detailed below; if anyone knows of other ways I should check this good's bona fides please list in detail or PM me.

"Thank you for your order. Your new state of the art Intel Advanced-N 6200 Wireless half-height adapter card has been packaged and is being sent to you via insured Priority mail. Your USPS tracking number is 1234XXYYZZ.
To provide you with quality leading-edge products at the lowest possible prices, your card comes from a bulk order. Your card is guaranteed and will arrive to you in new anti-static and protective packaging, but not in an individual Intel product box. Information and instructions will be sent electronically and if you have questions or need assistance please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. You will find I try to be very responsive.
Thank you again for your purchase.
- Paul
A+ Tech"

Anyone having further questions regarding this company can now address them directly. This was my second buy from them and while the price was high this time in both cases their service was extremely fast and professional with complete installation instructions and links to product info, drivers, etc. in both e-mails and again in hard copy with the product.

 

AFAIK, the answer is none.

EDIT: to provide a bit more info, I believe chipsets (for wireless routers) capable of 450mbps have been announced. Yet nothing is broadly available yet, particularly nothing inexpensive.

EDIT2: Googleing suggests a Trendnet router that does 450mbps has been announced for a May '10 release. It's not inexpensive (it will be $159.99--for a *single* band router)

 

I think the Netgear WNDR3700 is the only one that can but it does it in a weird fashion, it more or less is bragging point since it general use you can't get it. It might be two notebook at once or something. There was a mention of it on Small Net Builder but I haven't been able to find it.

If you want 450, you will have to wait for the next generation of routers, and you can probably expect $200-$300 for them through years end.

 

the new airport extreme mc340/ll is both 802.11n final and 3x3.

but
34 pages of horror stories . people say to keep returning them to get later firmware versions like 7.5.1

 

I bought an Ultimate-N 6300 from babyhemi in the marketplace and the card is awesome. It picks up wireless access points that no other card I have used could pick up, in the same area. I am pretty impressed with the performance.


Here is a photo I took during the replacement, with my original Azurewave AW-NE771 and the new Ultimate-N 6300.

 

Hmm... looks like the same problem the 5 foot 6 center had getting a spot in the NBA; kept coming up a little short! How are you handling that? And did the cards come to you marked as shown or did you do it, and if so, why? Just curious...

 

This is incorrect, it's not 3x3.

I've read reviews that *specifically* note that it only does two simultaneous streams (it couldn't be more than 2x2--it only has four antennas). Wikipedia also notes in its discussion of the latest Airport Extreme that it's 2x2 (see here). Lastly, Apple doesn't mention anything that would support your claim on the product page of the Airstation.

 

I scratched out the serials, MAC's etc in paint for privacy reasons...

The mini pci-e slot is spring loaded (and so the card was tilting upward and not mounting snugly), and so I put rubber mounts on top of each of the screw holes, and when I pushed the card down into the slot snugly, it sat straight as a result. The full height card has screw mounting holes but my laptop does not have the half height holes. The card is firmly in place though as i have jostled the laptop around taking it here and there without any issues.

 

Interesting and inventive solution! I have a 1/2 height 5100 card I was going to use to replace a 1000 in this U30V, but it's a full size slot with only the screw holes and the antenna leads showing. Without completely disassembling the computer from the case (which I don't want to do) I'm not sure I could get your fix to work, but I may try one day when I'm feeling particularly a) lucky and b) dexterous.

 

It didn't take too long just cut the rubber mounts, and use sekisui tape to stick them onto the board, then attach the antennas and feed the card down. Finally, use the back of a jeweler's screwdriver to push it into the slot once its aligned. Fun Stuff!

Let me know if you do end up trying it.

 

If anyone is still wondering about functional differences, as compared to physical/mounting issues:

According to Intel, the main documented differences between the 5300 and the 6300 is support going from AMT (Active Management Technology) 5.0 to AMT 6. However to have an AMT 6 system you also need an upgraded chipset, a specific gigabit ethernet controller (82577LM), and a newer processor.

If you are in an enterprise environment (or willing to create one at home) and have a laptop that has the other AMT 6 components but was not shipped with a 6xxx series wireless card, you might get all the new features.

On the other hand, the 6300 is the new 5300 and like any revision in hardware they may have updated the performance or power drain (some people are reporting better network reception but rarely comparing a straight 5300 to 6300 upgrade). If they did, it was not enough to write a white paper about.

The 6200 is to the 6300 as the 5100 was to the 5300, instead of the 6300's 3x3 possible configuration, it is maxed out at 2 streams. This means that in theory the 6300 should be capable of 450mbps instead of just 300mbps. I have yet to see anyone say that the few routers capable of 3 simultaneous streams can outperform the 2x2 routers in real world throughput. And I have been exhaustively looking. So if you want the best connection you can get right now, get the 6200. If you want to future proof for when better 3x3 routers hit the market, get the 6300. And if you want WiMAX, get the 6250 and give up on 3x3 ;-) .

 

I installed the 6300N on my desktop, its very good when paired up with a Linksys WRT160N. Getting excellent reception and speeds at 15 metres and 4 walls away.

 

how did you buy it straight from Intel? you mean by itself right? you have a 6300, right? please let me know, i would love to buy one right now, even if it were around $200.00.

 

what is V-PRo enabled mean? if my laptop is a centrino 2 w/o VPRO enabled, will this VPRO enabled 6300 card still work, 100% fully functional?

 

I got a Dell 6200 card of ebay. Compared to some of the cards i paid a bit of a premium for it because i wanted to guarantee that it was not an ES card.

It works well. I replaced a 5100 card and this seems to give me a better signal using the same settings.

Only thing is i cannot control this card using my Sony software. Now i don't know if this is because i bought a Dell card or the other Sony software is causing some confliction with this card.

It is a very good card though. Power consumption seems to be the same if not marginally better. I've used a 4965, 39xx,
5100and a 5300 and this one seems to be the best one yet.

Edited to add:
I've been using this card since Thursday so for 2 days and i haven't had a drop out yet. With all the above other cards i could have expected to have had some drop outs by now.