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    USB network adapter versus PCI network adapter

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by JWBlue, Jun 21, 2010.

  1. JWBlue

    JWBlue Notebook Deity

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    I have a computer with a Pentium 4 processor. It is 7 years old and a dinoasaur. I am trying to suck as much life out of it as I can.

    I only use it to surf the internet.

    I am currently using a D-link DIR-655 router with a D-Link USB adapter.

    My internet speed is not what I want it to be.

    If I were to get a wireless PCI card, what would the estimated increase in speed of my wireless connection?
     
    JWBlue, Jun 21, 2010
    #1
  2. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    You mean loss .....

    I do not see a gain changing to wireless pci based card. When you install a PCI based card in most cases the signal is shielded by the case. Why not go to a wired eithernet for the fastest speed.

    On the old system I find you get a good speed increase by doing a clean install of the OS. Gets rids of all the excess baggage that's it has accumulated over the years.
     
    blue68f100, Jun 21, 2010
    #2
  3. JWBlue

    JWBlue Notebook Deity

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    More information:

    Current adapter:

    D-Link RangeBooster N USB Adapter DWA-142 - network adapter Adapters/NIC reviews - CNET Reviews

    Considering:

    PCI 802.11g Wireless Network Adapter Card with Separate Antenna - StarTech.com


    There is another computer on the network that seems a lot faster. It has a built in network card. It also has a Core 2 Duo processor.

    Here are the speed test results for both computers.

    My computer:

    Download 4355 Kbps Upload 1481 Kbps Linkline (Los Angeles CA) cox.net more

    Download flash speedtest 4247 Kbps Upload 1669 Kbps Linkline (Los Angeles CA)

    Download 3978 Kbps Upload 2509 Kbps Linkline (Los Angeles CA) cox.net more

    Other computer:

    del 21-06-2010 01:29 PM flash speedtest 5148 Kbps 1846 Kbps Linkline (Los Angeles CA) cox.net more
    del 21-06-2010 01:29 PM flash speedtest 5031 Kbps 1254 Kbps Linkline (Los Angeles CA) cox.net more
    del 21-06-2010 01:28 PM flash speedtest 5108 Kbps 2512 Kbps Linkline (Los Angeles CA) cox.net more

    I copy and pasted the notebook tests. The first number is download, the second is upload.

    The speed tests indicate the notebook is getting about 25% faster speed. Does this indicated I should get the PCI card?
     
    JWBlue, Jun 21, 2010
    #3
  4. woofer00

    woofer00 Wanderer

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    It's not about the interface, it's about the antenna. The further you can get the antenna away from interference, the better the signal.
     
    woofer00, Jun 22, 2010
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