Switching out 4965 for 5300 Network Card

I'm getting the Gateway P-7811 which has a PM45 chipset. It likely comes with 4965 Network Card (even though it doesnt list the model, I can tell its the 4965 because it says a/b/g/n network card, whereas the 5300 is a/g/n).

Question is, can I switch out the 4965 for the 5300 when I get it? Will it be both compatible and accessible?

 

The only real difference is the 5300 is a 3X3 and the 4965 is a 2X3. Both support A/B/G/N. Unless you have an AP that supports 3X3, you won't see any performance gain with the 5300.

 

Both support a/b/g/n but the 5300 is most often only advertised as a/g/n wheres 4965 advertising usually mentions the b as well. Also, besides the 3x3 giving an increase in speed (480mbps over 300), it also increases the range of wireless activity, and that is regardless of the AP i'm pretty sure. Either way, I'll have the AP to match it, and at only $40, why not get the upgrade.

Back to my question...

 

You question depends on Gateway. They may have code to block "unauthorized" cards in the BIOS. Try a search for "Gateway Whitelist".

 

Gracias ty

Edit: can't seem to find this whitelist, I'll keep searching

 

If you can't find anything about that, it may be a good thing.

 

That's funny what you all are saying, I have the Intel 4965AGN, and I have never known it by a/b/g/n. See the pic below.

The 5300, I believe the same amount of antennas than 4965, so it should work well, just need to download the appropriate driver.

 

Regardless of what it says on it, it has a/b/g/n, you just won't seen it advertised by anyone other than notebook manufacturers/resellers I think.
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/wireless/wireless_n/overview.htm

Also, you're right they have the same number of antennae, (but it is tx/rx on all, rather than rx all and tx two), so wireless man what accounts for its range being greater (widely reported to be). Could it be bigger antennae?

 

I did not say that the card doesn't have b, I just said that is known by 4965AGN.

Nope, the antennas will be the same size because we are still dealing with the same frequency bands.

 

In all fairness, I didn't say that you did say that... nor did I think you said that... lol

Anyway, what do you think accounts for people saying it has a higher range then? Maybe just a quasi placebo effect?

 

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

That's what they advertise, an extended coverage and higher speed (480Mbps).

 

Ok so my laptop didn't come with the 4965. It came with the arguably worse 5100. Anyone know if I can switch this out for a 5300, or where I can even find a 5300 to buy?

EDIT: Found one on ebay. Anyone have experience switching theirs out?

 

If you laptop has 3 antenna wires, you can swap it out. If it only has 2 antenna wires, don't bother. The 5300 will perform worse than the 5100 with only 2 antennas connected.

 

Really? Why?

 

Cuz the 5100 is MADE for 2, while the 5300 is made for 3. Which would you expect to perform better with 2 antennae?

 

LOL I was looking for a technical reason. "Which would you expect" doesn't exactly count.

 

That is the technical reason, you asked why "If you laptop has 3 antenna wires, you can swap it out. If it only has 2 antenna wires, don't bother. The 5300 will perform worse than the 5100 with only 2 antennas connected." I said because the 5300 is made for 3 antennae, the 5100 is made for 2. Which would work better with 2 attached? It's not hard to figure out dude... Here, lets add some math to it, since logic and common sense don't seem to cut it for you:

100% of the 5300's potential is in 3 antennae. If only two are available, 2/3 - 67% of its potential utilized.

100% of the 5100's potential is in 2 antennae. If only two are available, 2/2 - 100% of its potential utilized.

67% vs 100%... this is as technical as something this simple to understand can really get without divulging into the technical specifications, of which a debate could have no end...

 

The 5300 with 3 antennas brings out more signal diversity, the Intel web site has a good explanation of this, check it out.

 

I'll ignore your insults since you do that in almost every post you make. Your entire argument is based upon a belief that the number of antennae is the sole factor in determining performance between the two cards. From what I've read I'm not convinced that is the case. Plus, if you really feel this way why are you planning to do the same upgrade on a 7811FX which has a 5100?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=285363

 

Lol, really? the majority of my 222 posts have been insulting? actually... the validity of that statement matches the validity of your other arguments here... wayyy off. so I guess I can see why you say that. anyway, when you ask for a reason, and I give it to you, and then you tell me that my answer doesn't even count, you don't see that as insulting? not only are you way off in your arguments but you're also hypocritical.

This thread was made before the one you linked to, when I still thought that the 7811 carried a 4965 and not a 5100, that should explain the title of this thread. The other thread was made when I found out which card was in the 7811 from someone who got it (gateway still doesn't even list the card number in their specs I think). Regardless, it has not been determined how many antennae are in the 7811. Since it has the same casing as the 68**'s, which used the 4965 (3 antennae), it is probable that the 7811 has 3 antennae, but that the 5100 is only using 2.

Where did I say that the antennae is the sole factor in determining the performance between two cards? The question was about the number of antennae and it's relation to the performance, don't you think the answer should explain this relation? That's what I was doing, not giving a description of the factors that contribute to the performance. Did you really forget that quickly what the question was? Pitiful...

 

Please guys, cool it off, there is no reason to bump the heat, otherwise the thread may get closed to the benefit of no one.

The 53000 is a step up compared to the 5100 so it's supposed to be better, the Intel web site gives the details, please check them out.

 

I'd give changing the card a try but I can't seem to find it. The only one I could find was listed on the dell website for a dell studio computer, and it's a half mini card and I don't know whether i need a half or a full anyway.

 

Open the lap and see what you have in, is not that difficult, just one cover to lift up.

 

http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_parts.asp?PRID=11396

 

Might want to factor in the 67% of 450Mb/s vs 100% of 300Mb/s.

I fail to see how 100% of 300Mb/s is better than 67& of 450Mb/s. They will at worst be equal.

Also the 5300 is 3/3/3 67% = 2/2/2 and the 5100 is 1/2/2 so by the same logic the 5300 will be > than the 5100 even with 2 antennas as the 5100 only has 1 transmit antenna.

 

thanks

Well I was trying to simplify it but now we're getting into the technical side of it. In this case you're assuming that the MIMO antennae arrays, which have been set to optimal geometries within the limitations of the P-7811fx's form factor, would also be the optimal geometries for use on the 5300, which is highly unlikely.

Anyway, I intend on trying it, testing, and releasing my results here.

 

FYI, I successfully upgraded the Asus G50V's 5100 to a 5300. See this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3826062#post3826062