upobDaPlaya
asked on
Powerline Kit vs Desktop Wireless Card vs Wired for Surfing and Movie Quality
I am in the process of building a desktop PC that will reside in my basement. My router and cable modem reside on the first floor. At this point I am not interested in running Ethernet cord down into the basement.
After doing some prelininary research on the issue it appears my options are
Desktop Wireless PCI Card
Powerline Adapter Kit
If my biggest concern is that I do not want my Internet movie watching experience to be choppy which option would you suggest ? Am I missing any options ? If you suggest a Desktop Wireless PCI Card can you recommend a product such as the one below.. http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WDN4800-Wireless-Express-Adapter/dp/B007GMPZ0A/ref=pd_sim_e_2
After doing some prelininary research on the issue it appears my options are
Desktop Wireless PCI Card
Powerline Adapter Kit
If my biggest concern is that I do not want my Internet movie watching experience to be choppy which option would you suggest ? Am I missing any options ? If you suggest a Desktop Wireless PCI Card can you recommend a product such as the one below.. http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WDN4800-Wireless-Express-Adapter/dp/B007GMPZ0A/ref=pd_sim_e_2
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Here is a link to a ton of wireless adaptors. I suggest staying with a brand name, but the others may work just as well.
If you don't want the wireless AC version (which should be much quicker), then go with wireless N.
If you don't want the wireless AC version (which should be much quicker), then go with wireless N.
Sorry, here is the link
http://www.newegg.com/Wireless-Adapters/SubCategory/ID-31
http://www.newegg.com/Wireless-Adapters/SubCategory/ID-31
Use powerline - 200Mbps adapters or faster will be fine.
There's a very simple rule for networking: Wired is ALWAYS better than wireless.
However, a Powerline adapter IS effectively "wired" -- it's simply using a wiring system other than Cat-6 to transmit the signal. I've install about 15 or so Powerline adapters for clients with large homes who had signal quality issues, and they work VERY well. The last half dozen or so have all used this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122388
It provides an excellent wireless signal at the distant end; and has a wired connection you can use at that end as well => you can plug a single device into it, or use a switch if you have more than one device you want to connect via a wired connection.
As for a wireless card, the one you listed in your question is fine ... it gets very good reviews and is very reasonably priced. I'd go ahead and install that and see how good your signal is where you need to use it before pulling out the drill or buying a powerline adapter :-)
Note, by the way, that while it WAS true that cordless phones could interfere with 802.11 signals, that's far less of a problem these days. Many cordless phones now use alternate frequencies; many wireless access points are dual-band (like the adapter you've linked to); and the frequency resolution (i.e. channel selection to avoid interference) is much better with Wireless-N products.
One other thought: While a powerline adapter is a very good alternative to pulling a cable; there is one notable disadvantage: powerline is limited to ~ 200mbs; a Cat-6 run will provide gigabit speed capability. If all you're doing is streaming movies, etc., that's not a factor; but if you'll have another PC at the distant end and will be transferring large files, that will definitely make a difference.
However, a Powerline adapter IS effectively "wired" -- it's simply using a wiring system other than Cat-6 to transmit the signal. I've install about 15 or so Powerline adapters for clients with large homes who had signal quality issues, and they work VERY well. The last half dozen or so have all used this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122388
It provides an excellent wireless signal at the distant end; and has a wired connection you can use at that end as well => you can plug a single device into it, or use a switch if you have more than one device you want to connect via a wired connection.
As for a wireless card, the one you listed in your question is fine ... it gets very good reviews and is very reasonably priced. I'd go ahead and install that and see how good your signal is where you need to use it before pulling out the drill or buying a powerline adapter :-)
Note, by the way, that while it WAS true that cordless phones could interfere with 802.11 signals, that's far less of a problem these days. Many cordless phones now use alternate frequencies; many wireless access points are dual-band (like the adapter you've linked to); and the frequency resolution (i.e. channel selection to avoid interference) is much better with Wireless-N products.
One other thought: While a powerline adapter is a very good alternative to pulling a cable; there is one notable disadvantage: powerline is limited to ~ 200mbs; a Cat-6 run will provide gigabit speed capability. If all you're doing is streaming movies, etc., that's not a factor; but if you'll have another PC at the distant end and will be transferring large files, that will definitely make a difference.
ASKER
garycase...can you explain..."If all you're doing is streaming movies, etc., that's not a factor; but if you'll have another PC at the distant end and will be transferring large files, that will definitely make a difference."
why would a movie not have the same impact as a PC file..just trying to make sure I understand your statement in effort to increase my knowledge on this subject...thx
why would a movie not have the same impact as a PC file..just trying to make sure I understand your statement in effort to increase my knowledge on this subject...thx
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
I agree there's no need for an access point in this specific case. But I nevertheless always suggest buying the integrated unit, since the nominal difference in cost includes a very good wireless access point for any wireless devices you may ultimately want to connect at the same end ==> an I-Pad, I-Phone, Kindle, Nook, Internet-enabled TV, etc. There's an ethernet port on the unit for a single wired connection -- exactly the same as the units without an access point -- so that could be used for the computer. But for a few $$ more the access point unit is far more flexible. A solid wireless signal is VERY handy these days :-)
ASKER
I have not decided on an adapter or powerline yet (I am very tempted by garycase suggestion NETGEAR XAVNB2001-100NAS Powerline AV 200 Wireless-N Extender Kit Up to 200Mbps), but I am very well informed and have a number of products to choose thanks to everyone input.. The powerline suggested by garycase may make sense because I plan to at some point buy a tv and out it down in my basement..if the TV is internet ready well then it makes a whole lot of sense to buy the nb2001 powerline instead of a pci wifi card..I took a look at the video and it is very impressive..
My only problem is my router is fully occupied..all 4 switches are being used so any suggestions...
My only problem is my router is fully occupied..all 4 switches are being used so any suggestions...
ASKER
I have not decided on an adapter or powerline yet (I am very tempted by garycase suggestion NETGEAR XAVNB2001-100NAS Powerline AV 200 Wireless-N Extender Kit Up to 200Mbps), but I am very well informed and have a number of products to choose thanks to everyone input.. The powerline suggested by garycase may make sense because I plan to at some point buy a tv and out it down in my basement..if the TV is internet ready well then it makes a whole lot of sense to buy the nb2001 powerline instead of a pci wifi card..I took a look at the video and it is very impressive..
"... My only problem is my router is fully occupied..all 4 switches are being used so any suggestions...=> Just add a switch. A simple 5-port switch is all you need.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704042
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833704042
ASKER