{"id":2270,"date":"2022-09-03T19:09:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-03T13:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/?p=2270"},"modified":"2022-09-02T21:31:14","modified_gmt":"2022-09-02T16:01:14","slug":"pcie-vs-usb-wifi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/","title":{"rendered":"PCIe vs USB WiFi Adapters: Which One Is the Better Choice?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When building a desktop computer, you may have to choose between a USB WiFi adapter and a PCI-e WiFi card. If you want the fastest wireless connection, for example, if you're into competitive gaming, the PCI-e WiFi card is the superior choice. However, if you want a more affordable and less complicated option, you should go with a USB WiFi adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I was building a small desktop computer for my parents to use at home, I realized that I had to make the decision between a USB WiFi adapter and a PCI-e WiFi card. I needed to dive into the pros and cons of each so that they'd end up with the wireless adapter that was best for their needs. This led me to do a lot of research into the best choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the fight between PCIe vs USB WiFi, I've put together this basic guide together to direct you to the winner. Let's get right into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66112afa449e5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66112afa449e5\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#What_Is_a_PCIe_WiFi_Card\" title=\"What Is a PCIe WiFi Card?\">What Is a PCIe WiFi Card?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#What_Is_a_USB_Wireless_Adapter\" title=\"What Is a USB Wireless Adapter?\">What Is a USB Wireless Adapter?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#Is_USB_WiFi_Adapter_or_a_PCIe_WiFi_Card_Better_for_My_PC\" title=\"Is USB WiFi Adapter or a PCIe WiFi Card Better for My PC?\">Is USB WiFi Adapter or a PCIe WiFi Card Better for My PC?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#USB_Wireless_Adapters\" title=\"USB Wireless Adapters\">USB Wireless Adapters<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#Advantages_of_USB_Adapters\" title=\"Advantages of USB Adapters\">Advantages of USB Adapters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#Downsides_of_a_USB_WiFi_Adapter\" title=\"Downsides of a USB WiFi Adapter\">Downsides of a USB WiFi Adapter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#PCIe_WiFi_Cards\" title=\"PCIe WiFi Cards\">PCIe WiFi Cards<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#The_Pros_of_a_PCIe_WiFi_Card\" title=\"The Pros of a PCIe WiFi Card\">The Pros of a PCIe WiFi Card<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#The_Cons_of_PCIe_Wireless_Adapter\" title=\"The Cons of PCIe Wireless Adapter\">The Cons of PCIe Wireless Adapter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#Which_WiFi_Card_Is_the_Better_Choice_for_Me\" title=\"Which WiFi Card Is the Better Choice for Me?\">Which WiFi Card Is the Better Choice for Me?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#Do_Any_Motherboards_Come_with_Built-In_WiFi\" title=\"Do Any Motherboards Come with Built-In WiFi?\">Do Any Motherboards Come with Built-In WiFi?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#Are_There_Other_Options_for_WiFi\" title=\"Are There Other Options for WiFi?\">Are There Other Options for WiFi?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/pcie-vs-usb-wifi\/#Final_Words\" title=\"Final Words\">Final Words<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_a_PCIe_WiFi_Card\"><\/span>What Is a PCIe WiFi Card?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>PCIe, which stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, is an interface you can find on your computer's motherboard. Just like USB, it serves as a means of <a href=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/builds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">plugging peripherals<\/a> into your system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can recognize PCIe as the long socket that you typically plug peripherals like a graphics card into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A PCI-e WiFi card is simply a peripheral that provides wireless networking capabilities for your computer, and it plugs into the PCIe slot on your motherboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that it will live inside your PC case. However, there will always be a part of the PCI-e WiFi card that is outside the computer. This might either be two antennas attached directly to the card, or an external antenna that plugs into the card with wires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pretty much all PCI-e WiFi cards also come with Bluetooth functionality, which gives them an additional type of wireless connectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PC-build-PCI-E-card.jpg\" alt=\"PC build - PCI-E card\" class=\"wp-image-2275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PC-build-PCI-E-card.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/PC-build-PCI-E-card-300x210.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_a_USB_Wireless_Adapter\"><\/span>What Is a USB Wireless Adapter?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The USB standard is one of the most popular in the world. You can find a USB port on more devices than just a computer these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, it's easy to understand that a USB WiFi adapter is a little dongle or device that lets your computer connect to wireless networks when it's plugged into a USB port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A USB wireless adapter looks like a flash drive, but with one or two antennas attached to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_USB_WiFi_Adapter_or_a_PCIe_WiFi_Card_Better_for_My_PC\"><\/span>Is USB WiFi Adapter or a PCIe WiFi Card Better for My PC?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know what USB and PCI-e WiFi adapters are, you might be curious about which option is better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That's what this section will talk about. I'll show you the pros and cons of USB adapters, and do the same for PCI-e WiFi cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This way, when you're building your computer, you'll be able to make the best choice for your specific needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"USB_Wireless_Adapters\"><\/span>USB Wireless Adapters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you considering a USB WiFi adapter for your new desktop, but need to be sure that you're making the right choice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Worry not, I'll show you several points to convince you that you're making the best decision, but also some important downsides that you'll have to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advantages_of_USB_Adapters\"><\/span>Advantages of USB Adapters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>With USB WiFi adapters, here are some of the advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Installing a USB wireless adapter is easy because it is simply plug-and-play. Even the least tech-savvy people know how to plug a USB device into a USB port, making this a very accessible option.<br><\/li><li>A USB WiFi adapter is built to be rather portable and easier to carry about. It's certainly a lot easier to take around with you than a PCIe WiFi card.<br><\/li><li>One advantage of a USB adapter that many people don't appreciate is the fact that you can use it with a laptop or a desktop computer. While all modern laptops come with a wireless network adapter built-in, a USB WiFi dongle gives you a saving grace if your adapter isn't working for any reason.<br><\/li><li>If you decide to get a USB adapter over a PCIe one, you're likely going to save a lot more money. Generally speaking, these USB WiFi adapters are more affordable than their counterparts. This makes them perfect if you're building on a budget.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Downsides_of_a_USB_WiFi_Adapter\"><\/span>Downsides of a USB WiFi Adapter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It goes without saying that a USB WiFi adapter is not a perfect device. It has its drawbacks, which are briefly discussed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The major downside of using a USB WiFi card is that you don't get the same level of network performance from one when compared to a PCI-e WiFi adapter. You're limited by the speed of the USB port after all.<br><\/li><li>Depending on the USB WiFi card that you get, you may find yourself dealing with a weaker WiFi connection than you'd have with a PCIe card. This depends on the kind of antennas that your USB WiFi card has. For instance, you'll find that a lot of them use a single external antenna. There are also quite a few without an antenna at all! It goes without saying that the WiFi connection will be a lot weaker. You'll want to make sure that your WiFi router is as close as possible.<br><\/li><li>Finally, you may find that some USB WiFi cards get hot when they stay connected for a while. A lot of computer parts heat up during use, but PCIe WiFi cards stay inside the computer, so you'll probably not notice. Seeing as you might be trying to insert or eject something from your USB ports, you're bound to come into contact with the hot adapter.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/USB-Wi-Fi-Adapter.jpg\" alt=\"USB Wi-Fi Adapter\" class=\"wp-image-2277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/USB-Wi-Fi-Adapter.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/USB-Wi-Fi-Adapter-300x210.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PCIe_WiFi_Cards\"><\/span>PCIe WiFi Cards<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that we know the benefits and demerits of using USB WiFi cards, let's look at the other side of the fence: PCI-e WiFi cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to be won over to this side, let's get right into the advantages and disadvantages of using these cards to get an internet connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Pros_of_a_PCIe_WiFi_Card\"><\/span>The Pros of a PCIe WiFi Card<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There's a lot that makes a PCI-e WiFi adapter an exciting prospect for desktop computers. Let's talk about those reasons down below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The best argument for anyone who is on the fence about getting a PCI-e wireless adapter is that you simply get much better performance when you use one of these, compared to its USB counterpart. There are several PCIe WiFi options that offer WiFi 6 and dual-band capability, while not all USB adapters can offer the same.<br><\/li><li>Essentially all PCIe cards use at least two antennas, with a few using three. This basically means a stronger WiFi connection, which can help if your desktop is not right beside your WiFi router. Plus, you may find that some PCIe cards offer antennas that you can connect to the card with cables and put in a more open space, instead of having them trapped against a wall.<br><\/li><li>If you want to have the outside of your computer to look more aesthetically pleasing, it is easier to achieve this when you have your network card plugged into a PCIe slot, instead of having it sticking out from any of your USB slots.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Cons_of_PCIe_Wireless_Adapter\"><\/span>The Cons of PCIe Wireless Adapter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The performance benefits of a PCIe card are great but unfortunately, there are some reasons why you might not want to have one of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>When you have one of these wireless adapters, it goes into the PCIe slot on the motherboard inside your desktop PC. To get there, you'll need to open up the case, observe the necessary precautions, and install it properly. To those of us who have been messing around with computers for ages, it doesn't seem that complicated, but if you're less used to changing out peripherals and components inside your computer, this option might not be viable.<br><\/li><li>A PCIe WiFi adapter will generally cost you more than one that plugs into your USB slots. This means that you'll need to have a bit of a higher budget if you want the better performance that this WiFi adapter will be able to offer.<br><\/li><li>The form factor and installation method of a PCI-e card make it less portable than a USB one. As a result, it's best to use PCI-e adapters if you have just one computer in need of wireless capabilities since you won't be able to take it with you to whichever computer currently needs it.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_WiFi_Card_Is_the_Better_Choice_for_Me\"><\/span>Which WiFi Card Is the Better Choice for Me?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To be honest, if it comes to choosing between a PCIe and a USB WiFi card, one is not objectively better than the other. It all comes down to exactly what you need in your desktop computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you're into competitive gaming and you can't compromise on lightning-fast network speeds, then it is almost a no-brainer to go with a PCIe card. Yes, it will cost a bit more and you'll need the necessary expertise to get it installed, but it will ultimately be worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your budget is a bit tighter or you have no idea how to crack open your computer and put a WiFi card into a PCI slot, then you should definitely go with a USB network card. All you need is a free USB slot and that's it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/6-pin-PCI-E-Connector.jpg\" alt=\"6-pin PCI-E Connector\" class=\"wp-image-2279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/6-pin-PCI-E-Connector.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/6-pin-PCI-E-Connector-300x210.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Any_Motherboards_Come_with_Built-In_WiFi\"><\/span>Do Any Motherboards Come with Built-In WiFi?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you're building a PC straight from scratch and you don't want to worry about a spare USB slot or PCIe slots, you might be wondering whether you can simply get a motherboard that has WiFi built into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good thing is, you can. There are several motherboards available on the market, from an array of popular manufacturers like Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI, that will give you the ability to connect to a WiFi router, without needing an extra PC component.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you're considering getting one of these motherboards instead of a PCIe or USB card, here are some options you can consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a class=\"aawp-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0876J8436?tag=cpu4-20&amp;linkCode=ogi&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1\" title=\"MSI MPG z490\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-aawp-product-id=\"B0876J8436\" data-aawp-product-title=\"MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI ATX Gaming Motherboard  10th Gen Intel Core LGA 1200 Socket DDR4 CF Dual M.2 Slots USB 3.2 Gen 2 Wi-Fi 6 DP\/HDMI Mystic Light RGB\" data-aawp-geotargeting=\"true\">MSI MPG z490<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aawp-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B09J1S3K36?tag=cpu4-20&amp;linkCode=ogi&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1\" title=\"Asus Prime Z690-P\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-aawp-product-id=\"B09J1S3K36\" data-aawp-product-title=\"ASUS Prime Z690-P WiFi LGA1700 Intel 12th Gen  ATX Motherboard  PCIe 5.0,DDR5,14+1 Power Stages,3X M.2,WiFi 6,BT v5.2,2.5Gb LAN,Front Panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C,Thunderbolt 4 Support Arua Sync\" data-aawp-geotargeting=\"true\">Asus Prime Z690-P<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aawp-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07FW85VFT?tag=cpu4-20&amp;linkCode=ogi&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1\" title=\"Gigabyte B450 AORUS Pro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-aawp-product-id=\"B07FW85VFT\" data-aawp-product-title=\"GIGABYTE B450 AORUS PRO Wi-Fi  AMD Ryzen AM4\/ATX\/M.2 Thermal Guard with Onboard Wi-Fi\/HDMI\/DVI\/USB 3.1 Gen 2\/DDR4\/Motherboard\" data-aawp-geotargeting=\"true\">Gigabyte B450 AORUS Pro<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aawp-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B081PZTZ4B?tag=cpu4-20&amp;linkCode=ogi&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1\" title=\"Asus Prime B550M-A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-aawp-product-id=\"B081PZTZ4B\" data-aawp-product-title=\"ASUS Prime B550M-A WiFi AMD AM4 Zen 3 Ryzen 5000 &amp; 3rd Gen Ryzen Micro ATX Motherboard  PCIe 4.0 WiFi 6 ECC Memory 1Gb LAN HDMI 2.1\/D-Sub 4K@60HZ Addressable Gen 2 RGB Header and Aura Sync\" data-aawp-geotargeting=\"true\">Asus Prime B550M-A<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_There_Other_Options_for_WiFi\"><\/span>Are There Other Options for WiFi?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Using an ethernet cable connection has its benefits, especially when it comes to speed. A wired connection is pretty much always faster than a wireless one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you're looking for a wireless adapter option because your wireless router is too far from your computer, you can always turn to a powerline adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is basically a two-piece wireless solution that uses the electrical wiring in your home or apartment to transfer an internet signal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You get two WiFi adapters, which are identical, one of which directly connects to a power outlet near your WiFi router. You plug the ethernet cable from the router into the powerline adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once that's done, you take the second adapter in the set and plug it into a power outlet that is close to your computer. Grab your ethernet cable, plug one end into your computer, and the other end into the powerline adapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like that, you get the benefits of a wired connection without having tens of feet of cable snaking across your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Words\"><\/span>Final Words<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you're trying to decide between a PCIe and USB WiFi card for your desktop, it all depends on what your needs are. If your budget is tight and you don't have much knowledge when it comes to hardware, a USB WiFi adapter is preferable. For those who need the best wireless network performance, it's best to go with the latest PCIe WiFi card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should also consider the option of a motherboard with WiFi built in. There are several models available, for both AMD and Intel chips, and many come with WiFi 6. You can also look into powerline adapters as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When building a desktop computer, you may have to choose between a USB WiFi adapter and a PCI-e WiFi card. If you want the fastest wireless connection, for example, if you're into competitive gaming, the PCI-e WiFi card is the superior choice. However, if you want a more affordable and less complicated option, you should [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2282,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[22],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2270"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2270"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2293,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2270\/revisions\/2293"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2282"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpuforever.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}