Do I need a WiFi Card
Do I need a WiFi Card
I’m fortunate to reside in a countryside area with new fiber optic internet. My phone handles 500mbps, but my computer only manages about 40mbps. This gap likely stems from the fact that my PC relies solely on an Ethernet connection. Using a TP-Link extender and connecting via cable seems to help, but I’m curious—would installing a Wi-Fi card allow me to reach full speed without the Ethernet? I’m not very familiar with them.
I'm not sure which TP-Link model you have, but it seems the maximum speed is probably limited to 10/100 Mbps because of your RJ45 extender. You might want to get an extender with a gigabit port or switch to using a router that supports gigabit. Alternatively, consider using a Wi-Fi card or dongle.
It seems you're considering upgrading to a Wi-Fi extender that switches between Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. Performance varies with distance; while it worked well for your needs, weak signals and antenna problems were common. You noticed stronger networks and better speeds when using directional antennas instead of omni-directional ones. A directional setup focuses the signal precisely toward the router, improving both strength and range. A dBi rating around 15 offers a good balance, with higher values giving tighter coverage and better performance overall.
Never purchased it personally either, but the AX210 looks good. See: https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Archer-TX...Caps%2C342 Or, consider an Intel AX210 card paired with a PCIE to E key adapter: https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Wireles...ZB6H1?th=1 And another option: https://www.amazon.com/Intel-802-11ax-Bl...404&sr=8-1