The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    More networks+weaker signals vs. stronger signals+less networks--WHICH BETTER?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by vaw, Aug 2, 2009.

  1. vaw

    vaw Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    783
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm using two laptops at the same time, with different wireless cards. When searching for wireless networks, one shows only a few networks available, but with pretty good overal signal strengths (the best in around 80% range); the other shows many more available networks (3 or 4 times as many), but the signal strengths are all much weaker (30% or below).

    My question is: why the one that can detect more networks shows weaker signal strengths, and vice versa? Which wireless card is better? :confused:
     
    vaw, Aug 2, 2009
    #1
  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

    Reputations:
    836
    Messages:
    3,682
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Cards from different manufacturers work differently on different computers, and even cards from the same manufacturer work differently on different computers. At this time, if you mix and match manufacturers (one for the router, one for the wifi card), performance tends to be less than if you match all of the equipment. So - which card is better depends on the other hardware you are using in your wireless network.
     
    kegobeer, Aug 2, 2009
    #2
  3. vaw

    vaw Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    783
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Can you explain why the one with stronger signals detects less networks (and vice versa)? I thought if it can detect more networks, then it means the signals are stronger for it, no? :confused:
     
    vaw, Aug 2, 2009
    #3
  4. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    801
    Messages:
    3,881
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    don't assume that the software that may come with any specific card or computer is telling you about every network that is 'see-able'.

    If you really want to compare the tx/rx capabilities of a wireless setup, you need some specialized stuff.
     
    newsposter, Aug 3, 2009
    #4
  5. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

    Reputations:
    2,637
    Messages:
    6,370
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I won't use the standard of how many wireless networks can be detected using Window's Network and Sharing center as a benchmark for the performance of a wireless card.
     
    surfasb, Aug 3, 2009
    #5
  6. vaw

    vaw Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    783
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    How about signal strength, then?
     
    vaw, Aug 4, 2009
    #6
  7. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

    Reputations:
    2,637
    Messages:
    6,370
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Nah. I'd use a real benchmark. I'd take the adapter, connect it to a router, send a file through the router. Rinse and repeat for each adapter. My wireless needs are based around moving files from computer to computer. Thus thorough output, not negotiating some wayward access point, is a plus.

    If your wireless needs are streaming, do a benchmark on that. Signal strength is only part of the picture. Driver support, compatability with your router, etc have just as much if not more effect on your wireless performance.
     
    surfasb, Aug 5, 2009
    #7