External antenna vs internal

[2336]

Folks, I have a Dell desktop with a Qualcomm-Atheros QCA 9565 wireless adapter. Here lately it has been acting a bit glitchy and erratic. Doesn't matter whether I'm using the local wi-fi network or my cell as a mobile hotspot. Would it be more effective to install a PCI-E wi-fi card with an external antenna? Would I be able to pull a stronger signal from my hotspot?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Have you looked for newer updated drivers? Atheros.cz?

https://www.ath-drivers.eu/atheros-wireless-drivers.html is the site now, I guess.

 

[2336]

Thank you for the link but the driver that I'm currently using is newer than what they have - 6/26/2018. Just wondering if I just have a bad piece of gear. Right now as I type this response it's working great. Last night I played hell just getting on the forums to post this thread. Very inconsistent performance. From the prices I've seen of some of the 5-egg rated PCI-E wi-fi cards with external antennas at NewEgg I'm thinking it's not a bad gamble to trry one and see if it works better. Just wanted to see if anyone had any experience as far as the external antennas having an edge.

 

[UsandThem]

I have two add-in wifi cards with external antennas for my kid's computers upstairs for the last couple of years, and they work so much better than the various USB wifi and internal antenna models I tried.

These are the ones I use, but I didn't pay that much when I bought them. It looks like there must be a newer model available now, so the 3rd party sellers charge a premium for these. When I bought them, I just wanted an Intel based chipset, so that was the biggest factor in my selection.

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GC-WB11ACD-I-Wireless-Express-Components/dp/B0742RG2MX

 

[JackMDS]

USB vs PCI-e per-se is not so much the issues.

A USB WIFI connected with a foot of USB cable to the following card would provide two decent Antennae sitting clear above the Desktop clear of obstructions, and would perform very well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D9BBFV...&pd_rd_r=f57b7935-80b0-11e9-bbb8-afc81129452f

 

[2336]

To UsandThem and JackMDS. You both confirmed what I suspected. Time to pick one out. Thank you so very much!

 

[VirtualLarry]

USB vs PCI-e per-se is not so much the issues.

A USB WIFI connected with a foot of USB cable to the following card would provide two decent Antennae sitting clear above the Desktop clear of obstructions, and would perform very well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D9BBFV...&pd_rd_r=f57b7935-80b0-11e9-bbb8-afc81129452f

That's a good one. Also look for Comfast branded AC wifi + BT single-antenna adapters. They won't perform as well (190Mbit/sec tops in my single-floor apt installation with an Asus AC router) as the dual-antenna 2x2 designs, but they also support BlueTooth, which can be handy (for speakers, keyboard/mouse, etc.).