Wifi card
Wifi card
I don't have a router, but I can help you with information about routers or troubleshooting if you need it.
I’d look for a PCI-E to Wi-Fi adapter that supports AC 8265. It seems you managed 180Mbps over your 200Mbps connection, and I think there are newer Intel AC cards available.
Consider an ASUS Wi-Fi USB adapter—they perform much better than PCI cards. I discovered this through a paid source: the USB AC55 Dual Band Wireless AC1300 Adapter (https://www.amazon.ca/USB-AC55-Dual-Band...B00Q6KRLUU) offers superior signal and speed compared to PCI cards with multiple attenuators, such as the TP-Link Archer T9E (https://www.amazon.ca/TP-Link-Archer-T9E...B00TQEX7AQ).
I use the simple model I received from my ISP, Xfinity. I've also been checking out powerline extenders, wondering if they might be superior to a Wi-Fi card.
These radio frequency solutions rely heavily on various conditions that are hard to predict without testing. If your home wiring is solid and the router is close to the same circuit breaker or panel as the adapter, a quality powerline adapter usually performs well. However, the best way to confirm is by experimenting. WiFi tends to be more cost-effective, but stick with reputable brands for adapters—generic or unbranded ones, even if they use the same chips, often have weak antennas or amplifiers, limiting range and speed. I discovered this firsthand when comparing two identical chipset adapters, one from TP-Link and another from an unknown seller on eBay.
Power line adapters that generally function tend to be more reliable than fast ones. You may experience reduced speeds, but overall you’ll enjoy a steadier connection. Xfinity provides a variety of Gateways, some of which support 802.11 AC, making them suitable. The main consideration is the WiFi standard your Xfinity device uses, which will help you choose the right wireless adapter. For this reason, I’d consider ASUS or TP-Link since they offer solid options.