Pros and cons of USB and PCI wireless cards

n0gear · 10-22-2005, 08:13 AM

Hi,

Just wondering what are the pros and cons of PCI and USB wireless cards?

MikeyE · 10-22-2005, 12:33 PM

Performance will be equal. PCI is nice because it's inside your machine and you won't have another box and more cables to get in the way (if that would bother you). However you have to be comfortable opening your case and installing it (it's simple).

USB is easier to install and gives you a little flexibility with antenna placement. That may or may not matter though.

Otherwise not much difference.

raross · 10-22-2005, 02:12 PM

The performance will only be equal on 100mbps cards. Once you get over a certain point, USB will slow down, and PCI will take over. But im sure you're talking about consumer level equipment. Although you can now have consumer fiber optics, which if you did you would want to go with a PCI fiber optic card. Anyway, sorry I just had to confuse the situation. >:]

10-22-2005, 08:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
n0gear Newb Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 32	Pros and cons of USB and PCI wireless cards Hi, Just wondering what are the pros and cons of PCI and USB wireless cards?

10-22-2005, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
MikeyE Junior Techie Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 85	Performance will be equal. PCI is nice because it's inside your machine and you won't have another box and more cables to get in the way (if that would bother you). However you have to be comfortable opening your case and installing it (it's simple). USB is easier to install and gives you a little flexibility with antenna placement. That may or may not matter though. Otherwise not much difference. __________________ A+ Hardware/OS whoop dee doo

10-22-2005, 02:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
raross Super Techie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 385	The performance will only be equal on 100mbps cards. Once you get over a certain point, USB will slow down, and PCI will take over. But im sure you're talking about consumer level equipment. Although you can now have consumer fiber optics, which if you did you would want to go with a PCI fiber optic card. Anyway, sorry I just had to confuse the situation. >:] __________________ MCSD, MCAD, CCNA, CIW-A, Linux+, Server+, Security+, Project+, iNet+, Network+, A+, MCP

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