Killer vs Intel compatibility with Routers

What is the best card for connecting to unknown routers? I will be traveling a ton and in desolate areas, potentially far away from the nearest router. At home I have a Ubiquti network, so pretty sure I can configure that to work with anything.

So what is your take on a good card to get? I have the following options, but could install one myself if I get really pumped up.

• Killer™ Wireless-AC N1535 802.11 ac/a/g/n 2x2 NGFF w/ Bluetooth 4.1
• no Wireless Card
• Intel® Wireless-AC 8265 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n 2x2 NGFF w/ Bluetooth 4.2
• Killer™ Wireless-AC N1550 802.11 ac/a/g/n 2x2 NGFF w/ Bluetooth 5.0
• Intel® Wireless-AC 9260 802.11 ac/a/b/g/n 2x2 NGFF w/ Bluetooth 5.0

I read most of the 1535 vs 1550 issues on NBR. Thinking that the 1535 may be the way to go, but was hoping to get 5.0 BT. No big reason though and not sold on the lack of backwards compatibility. Main thing is not screwing around trying to guess and test. I am ok with less than advertised speeds if the thing works.

This will be installed on a P870TM1.

Thanks!

 

You listed 3 cards not 4, the 1550 is a rebranded 9260ac. The 1535 is a rebranded Qualcomm 6174A as Killer does not make WiFi hardware or drivers.

Basically you are comparing 2 Intel cards with a Qualcomm card.

Any of them should be fine. The 9260ac has BT5.0 and HT160 support for increased bandwidth which makes it stand out, think of it as an evolution of the 8265ac. Qualcomm makes excellent router chipsets but client cards from what I’ve seen have had issues with certain routers/APs, supposedly fixed with recent drivers but at work my co workers still run into connectivity issues on our federal laptops with the 6174A on certain APs. Same with the numerous laptops at my dad’s Corp when comparing the two. Honestly just try and see which works best in your laptop.

 

Ok thanks for the insight! So are the added features that the Killer software provides helpful enough to sway to the 1550 vs the 9260?

 

I personally dislike Killer as I feel their only real product is that Killer software suite which is more a detriment than a boon. Personally I’d get the 9260ac or Qualcomm 6174A, and between the two I have had fewer issues with Intel cards than Broadcom or Qualcomm though others have had different experiences.

 

Ok thanks for the help!

 

See, I've had the opposite experience. Intel has performed consistently worse in my experience, especially with Bluetooth. That being said, since Windows 10 RS4, the Killer software suite has moved to the UWD framework, which has been a noticeable step backward. I've gotten rid of all that and simply used the driver INF files available on the Rivet Networks website.

 

I am bit uneducated on the nomenclature, but it seems like you removed the Killer software so to speak, so what is the advantage? Why not get the intel if that is what you ended up with?

 

I think for him the 6174A worked better, aka Killer 1535. But yes without the Killer software there is no advantage over the original version of the 6174A or 9260ac as even the drivers are supplied by the original chip manufacturers.

 

Gotcha. I went with the 1535. It saved me $30 by doing so too. Thanks!

 

Saved $30? Wait what, how much did you pay? On Amazon both the 1550 and 1535 cost around ~$30 regardless of Killer branding or original versions, at least in the US, so I hope you didn't get ripped off by paying more than that.

Just some info for future use: HT160 gives you a significant boost (little over 50% in my experience) over standard 80Mhz ac in terms of bandwidth but requires a good router like the Netgear R7800 or other Qualcomm 9984 based chipset routers. The other way to get a similar boost on a HT80 client without needing a router with HT160 is to buy a Dell DW1830 wireless card (rebranded Broadcom), as that one has a third antenna meaning you would need to buy an extra antenna pigtail online. Broadcom is also the preffered brand if you want to have working wireless on MAC OS if you intend to install it on your Windows laptop as part of a dual boot.

Additionally if your router supports MU-MIMO, it is best when on a QCA9984 based router so if you dont have a Netgear R7800, Netgear R9000, Synology RT2600AC or similar router disable MU-MIMO as Broadcom based routers like most of the Asus router lineup, Netgear R7000, R8500 and other can actually cause a performance drop with MU-MIMO enabled when used with MU capable clients like the 9260ac (1550) and Qualcomm 6174A (1535), so on those routers make sure to disable MU-MIMO.

I hope I gave you enough info, and enjoy your new card!

 

Lol thanks for the concern! Guess I can see how that may have come across. I had the choice of a $30 upcharge for a 9260 or the 1550 through HIDevolution, or the 1535 as standard. SInce I read a bunch about the 1535 working well and also the lack of difference between the 9260 and 1550 other than software, I just figured I would replace it as necessary later on down the line. The routers that I will be connecting to will most likely be older and not capable of the HT160 anyway? My main concern was simplicity in connecting, as I was used to my Mac connecting to everything easily. Once I get some additional knowledge and experience, I hope to upgrade and configure my home system and also optimize whatever I may have installed in my laptop for galavanting around the globe.

 

Because the Killer consistently has performed better in my usage, software suite or not. Further, the Qualcomm Bluetooth controller on the 1535 adapter plays nicer with any peripherals I've connected to it.

 

All my intel cards have always been rock solid, all my qualcomm cards have been rock solid, all my killer tampered cards have always given me some degree of trouble.