Many people have heard of wireless network cards but are unaware of their specific uses. So, what is a wireless network card? What exactly does it do? How to choose a wireless network card? Next, this article will take you to understand!

What is a wireless network card?

As a network adapter, a wireless network card can provide wireless connectivity to devices such as computers, allowing desktop computers to connect to WiFi for internet access. However, it does not provide network signals and needs to be connected to WiFi for use.

What problems can wireless network cards solve？

1. Receiving WiFi allows desktop computers to connect to the internet without pulling a network cable, and can also connect to WiFi like laptops, with the same network speed and direct network cable.
2. Simulate the use of routers, transmit WiFi, insert wireless network cards into networked computers, and transmit WiFi for use by devices such as smartphones and tablets.
3. Replace the low-performance network card of your laptop, maximize your network speed, and enable your laptop to have a smoother network.

How to select a wireless network card？

1. Look at the interface type
At present, the mainstream wireless network cards include USB network cards, PCI-E network cards, and M.2 network cards.
① USB interface: USB network cards have the widest range of applications, are convenient and simple to use, and can be used on both desktops and laptops. There are also many network cards that are driver free and plug and play.
② PCI-E interface: The PCI-E network card is directly inserted into the PCI-E interface of the motherboard, and is only suitable for desktop computers. Its speed and stability are superior to USB network cards.
③ M.2 interface: Most integrated wireless network cards built into laptops are M.2 interfaces. To use the M.2 interface, the laptop needs to be disassembled. If you mind disassembling it, you can directly purchase a USB interface to use it.

2. Watch single and dual frequency
There are two types of wireless network cards: 2.4G single frequency and 2.4G+5.0G dual frequency. Single frequency only supports 2.4G WiFi, while dual frequency supports 2.4G and 5G WiFi.
The 2.4G frequency has a wide coverage range and good signal, but it has severe interference and large delay, with speeds generally between 150M-300M. The signal strength at 5.0G frequency is slightly lower. If there is a wall barrier between the router and the network card, the signal will attenuate a lot. However, in the absence of wall barriers, it has the advantages of fast speed, low interference, and low latency.
If you are using a dual frequency wireless router, it is recommended to choose a wireless network card that supports 2.4G+5.0G dual frequency, and choose one with the words 802.11.1ac. It is currently the fastest 5G standard, true 5G.

3. Look at the antenna shape
Wireless network cards can be divided into internal antennas and external antennas. The built-in antenna refers to the antenna hidden inside the shell, which has the advantage of small and lightweight network card and the disadvantage of poor antenna performance; External antenna refers to an antenna with an external component, which has the advantage of better antenna performance and the disadvantage of occupying more space.

4. Look at wireless rates and frequency bands
According to wireless rate and frequency band classification, wireless network cards can be divided into the following types: 150M single frequency, 300M single frequency, 450M single frequency; AC650M dual frequency, AC1300M dual frequency, AC1900M dual frequency, AC3200M dual frequency, AX3000 dual frequency, etc; The higher the speed, the faster the speed, and of course, the price will also be higher.

5. Check if it is drive free
The non drive free version requires a separate driver download to complete the driver installation of the network card; The drive free version of the network card has a built-in driver, which automatically completes installation after being inserted into the computer.
It is recommended to choose the free drive version, as the price difference between the two is very small. Non free drive versions may sometimes experience the embarrassment of holding a network card but not being able to access the internet, as there is no way to download drivers online.
Finally, it is recommended to choose a wireless network card with the corresponding specifications based on the above content and the specifications of your own wireless router; If the specification of the wireless network card is higher than that of the router, the performance of the network card cannot be fully utilized, resulting in waste; If the specification of the wireless network card is lower than that of the router, the performance of the router cannot be fully utilized and the utilization rate is low.

The advantages of the DTECH 1300M dual frequency drive free wireless network card:
▮ USB3.0 has a high transmission interface, high transmission efficiency, low power consumption, backward compatibility with USB2.0 and USB1.1, and can be used in both laptops and desktops.
▮ Dual frequency 2.4G-400M+5.8G-867M, with a speed of up to 1300M. Equipped with high gain dual antennas, it has strong wall penetrating force and can be used with an AC router to generate stronger signals without getting stuck or disconnected online.
▮ Adopting the 802.11ac wireless transmission standard and true 5G standard, combined with corresponding specifications of routers, it can maximize the restoration of broadband network speed used, and the network speed is not limited to direct connection with network cables.
▮The side of the wireless network card adopts a heat dissipation hole design, which can quickly dissipate heat and avoid unstable signal and data transmission caused by high temperatures.
▮Equipped with a built-in wireless network card driver, it can be automatically installed and used when plugged in.