I've had the standard Wireless Networking Card that I've owned since I bought this machine, but recently I ended up getting Verizon FIOS for my home network which is supposed to offer 300Mbps, as one of it's standard features. How do I know I'm receiving the full 300Mbps and is there a way to upgrade my current wireless card to a more suitable one.
Another thing I've noticed is that my laptop, when downloading large files, just seems to max out at 2.3 MB/sec, regardless of the file size, I don't think I've seen it go faster than this. I was hoping perhaps someone can enlighten me on what I should do?
Here are the specs of my wireless card and my current router:
Am I getting the right speeds for my card or should I upgrade my card and if so, to what card should I use?
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Your 162Mbps wireless speed is normal for a single band n-router. Conditions and settings must be perfect to achieve the 300Mbps max... you can Google those. You would need to replace your adapter and router to pursue dual band improvements... not necessary.
Your 10Mbps disconnected wired speed is inconclusive. You should connect to the router at your adapter's 100Mbps limit. Your router may support Gbit Ethernet (1000), but your integrated adapter does not. A 100Mbps LAN is plenty fast for Internet access... FIOS download speeds range 5, 15, 30Mbps, etc.
Your 2.3MBps download is about 18.4Mbps which is in the typical FIOS download speed range. 1Byte (uppercase B)= 8bits (lowercase b)
Your speeds are ok, unless I've missed something... you did not say what your FIOS service speed is... the 300Mbps is perfect wireless-n, not FIOS download speed.
GK -
For my Verizon service, I have the 15/5 Mbps service, its the cheapest of their plans, I didn't know which one to get so just to try the service out, I chose one of their cheaper plans. I might consider upgrading to the 25/25 plan as I haven't had any issues thus far. -
Your FIOS broadband connection is plenty fast... and you'll realize otherwise IF you ever manage to load it.
You could upgrade your wireless adapter... the Intel 6300 is fine... but you would need to upgrade your router to a dual band router to make use of it... but that would only increase your WLAN speed. Your broadband connection would remain the bottle neck, so you would not improve your overall Internet access speed... so why bother unless you need faster PC to PC comms on your LAN/WLAN.
Routers to look at might be Linksys and Netgear. I'd shop newegg.com and other retail outlets... I'd leave ebay for harder to source stuff.
If you were to upgrade your router, does FIOS insist that you keep theirs running for other services like TV? If so, then you need to integrate a second router on your LAN just to improve WLAN speeds which still won't improve your overall Internet speed.
Wish I had your speeds!
GK -
AESdecryption Notebook Evangelist
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Yeah it's not a bad deal. It's the old generation of linksys E though and the lower end one. It will do the job if you only plan to use the wireless for your internet connection. However, if you go for an intel 6200 or 6300, i'd go for one of the higher end E series or equivalent netgear router to take advantage of wireless N on 5GHz. Those cost a lot more on the other hand. Most people use 2.4GHz, microwaves and cordless phone can also cause interference on these. I get better transfer speeds overall on the 5GHz band than on the 2.4GHz band.
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Save your money until something breaks or expires.
GK -
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You have time to shop.
GK -
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Unless you need a second HDD or a second HDD with a primary SSD, then I would just leave the ODD in the ODD bay.
GK
Updating Wireless Card?
Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Mihael Keehl, Jun 5, 2011.