Posted 10 December 2023
Slow WiFi on PC, looking to upgrade from usb WiFi dongle.
Hi, I have many computers around the home but one in particular always has a slow internet connection. This is the furthest from the router and uses a USB WiFi dongle (with no visible antennas)
I think I need to install a newer USB WiFi dongle but since I have some upgrade options on the computer, I was thinking of attaching either a m.2 WiFi card or a pcie network adapter.
The PC is a HP Elite desk 800 G4 SFF computer
1. will these need a power connection with the power supply or will the ports provide power?
2. Any other things to look out for, any traps?
In case you have any recommendations, my budget for this is around £20. Don't really want to be spending much more than that!
Any and all help appreciated, sorry for posting this so late
I think I need to install a newer USB WiFi dongle but since I have some upgrade options on the computer, I was thinking of attaching either a m.2 WiFi card or a pcie network adapter.
The PC is a HP Elite desk 800 G4 SFF computer
1. will these need a power connection with the power supply or will the ports provide power?
2. Any other things to look out for, any traps?
In case you have any recommendations, my budget for this is around £20. Don't really want to be spending much more than that!
Any and all help appreciated, sorry for posting this so late
Community Updates
26 Comments
sorted bydictating either
cumulative M2 + associated antenna/power costs for the indicated "WIRELESS" M2, or
PCI-E card,
or the prev suggested USB-dongle-with-decent-antenna-mated-to-min-1m-cable.
Not convinced the budget will permit a credible M2 option so assume low profile PCI-E card is more achievable - although wifi performance will be compromised by prev mentioned not-ideal positioning at rear of PC.
Example PCI-E option at £16.95 FBA stated to include the limiting but essential low profile bracket to satisfy HP service manual statement:
keepa.com/
Or if reasonable DIY skills and able to bend & drill (or cut, maybe file) the bracket:
£3.50 CEX uk.webuy.com/pro…50a
TBH, if you are confident there is a decent wifi signal at rear of PC then bypass the take-it-apart faff and save yourself a few pounds by simply using an improved version of what you have now:
simple plugin USB but with external antennae.
Example £7.64 FBA complete with bluetooth connectivity
keepa.com/
Or if really lazy and can tolerate the minimal elect cost:
£2.50 CEX uk.webuy.com/pro…946
I imagine whatever I install in the end will at least be better than the existing system's network performance (barely allowing for browsing the internet.)
In case you were curious, the current dongle is a "tp-link RTL8188EU USB dongle". I hope a product with better antennas will do the job.
• antenna gain
• positioning.
You can have wonderful high-gain antennae but if they're tucked away behind either a lump of metal or multiple other other obstacles en route to/from router (sic) then their performance will be compromised in an already compromised location.
Solution:
high gain antennae positioned away from obstacles.
Maximum performance dictates that the antennae need to be directly connected to the adapter to negate remote antenna cable losses,
implying a positional USB solution will likely provide best wifi performance.
Generic USB wifi adapter + USB cable will start around £15, example
£17 FBA keepa.com/ although the cables on these generics is typically comparatively short and often circa 70cm.
Or cobble your own via separate adapter (with decent antennae) + USB extension cable, example:
£11.29 FBA with detachable 5 dbi antennae keepa.com/
£4.99 FBA for branded 2m USB3.0 extension cable amazon.co.uk/dp/…CA/
or extra 64p for 3m USB3.0 extension cable direct Amazon amazon.co.uk/dp/…3M/
Can probably find cheaper with tailored search - just don't compromise on antennae spec.
CEX may have suitable solutions but example BrosTech devices are minimum £22 + p&p and assumed beyond budget.
I probably should have been more specific but I do not want to use a USB WiFi dongle again - rather I want to make use of the free pcie and m.2 slots on the computer board. These cards should also allow for extras, such as Bluetooth.
However, I completely understand your point around antenna positioning. The thing is I don't think the connection or distance to the router is an issue as I am getting more acceptable speeds with my phone in the same location (35mbps compared to 200kbps on the computer)
I'm thinking a pcie network adapter with some antennas should do the job just fine for my (basic) needs.
I've settled for this, which should come tomorrow:
Asus PCE-AX3000 PCIe Card (Bluetooth 5.0+ Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 Dual Band, 2x Antennas, DFS) amzn.eu/d/fDGNno5
£23.47
It comes with a low profile bracket and I've done a little bit of research and found that I can connect the power cable to the SD card reader's slot on the motherboard (that's if I want to use Bluetooth) (edited)
My guess is your biggest problem will be the distance from your router. Again this is an assumption, but if you’re using your internet providers standard equipment then it is likely rubbish. It also depends on how thick your house walls are and how far away it is. My advice would be to get a cheap mesh wifi system setup, loads are available. You would probably only need a twin set.
What is your broadband speed? As if it is a slow broadband (less than 100Mbps), then any old mesh equipment will do.
I think the distance isn't the problem, but the USB WiFi dongle itself. This is because I can get fine speeds on my phone - let's say 95% of the advertised speed - 35mbps.
But on the computer this is only 1% or less, when downloading applications it drops to 200kbps!
Unless there's a major difference with computer and phone WiFi, I don't think the distance is an issue. I'm sure anything is better at this point haha.
Thanks
Pricey but worth it
amazon.co.uk/dp/…t_1
Cheaper and well reviewed
amazon.co.uk/gp/…c=1