Recommend wireless card for new build
 

Hello all,

Wondering if you fine people will be able to help out with a recommendation for a wireless card for my new build computer. I haven't upgraded in over 10 years so am in the process of speccing out a new build to hopefully last the next 10 years.

I'm currently running MX Linux 19.1 64bit, (Kernel 4.19). I love Xfce.

I am looking for a Linux supported wireless card. My new motherboard supports M.2 wireless cards directly however I'm not sure what the WiFi speeds will be like without antenna which don't seem to come with the cards. From what I can tell buying one of these and the antenna is about as expensive if not more than buying a PCI-e x1 card.

I am aware that I should be looking for Intel as they have the best support.

I want the best speeds and have seen the Intel AX200 mentioned but this requires Kernel 5+. I have been looking at the: Ubit AX WiFi 6 Dual Band 2974 Mbps AX200 PCIE Wireless WiFi Card with Bluetooth 5.0, but would like a second opinion from those more knowledgeable.

Any help would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

I have used this on one of my builds and it has honestly been great. It has all the way up to the ac standard and even has bluetooth ( just remember you will need at least one usb 2.0 header on your mother board for the bluetooth, [ you don't need to connect the bluetooth for it to work]). The antenna is also moveable to find a better signal. You can find it for 28 to 35 bucks and its a great deal imo. Heres the PC partpicker

I'm going to take it that the UBit card will be OK.

Do you plan on upgrading your kernel? If no, then Intel Wireless-AC 9260 + BT 5.0.
If yes, then Intel Wireless-AX AX200 + BT 5.0.

AX200 requires 5.1+ kernel to work.

Usually I just search for the cheapo ones. Then check the linux reviews.

Newegg is pretty good for this.

My wifi antenna

https://pixhost.to/show/167/148085611_dish.jpg

Download Speeds on updates is fastest on that rig.

@Timothy_Miller thanks for the recommendation, I can only find the laptop cards for the 9260; I would need antenna for is and a plate for the back of the computer too. I really don't want to upgrade the Kernel but may have to, or switch to a distro with an updated kernel, I'm all for reducing the pain points; though I am quite happy with MX. I'm only trying to future proof the build as best I can so I don't need to upgrade anything for a long time.

@rokytnji not sure I could fix that antenna anywhere.

You just grab something like https://www.ebay.com/i/123812935322?chn=ps (mind you that's just a generic one I found, not recommending that exact one), then use any generic laptop m.2 NGFF wifi you want in it, although you said your board supports m.2 wireless directly, which means it's already got antennas built into the board, unless it's a VERY odd board (I've never seen a board that supports onboard wifi that didn't have antennas built into the board). They may not be AS GOOD as something like that adapter, but they work just fine, my Dell desktop had that, and I know several people that use them that way.

BTW - the Ubit you're looking at is just the same as a AX200 ngff card in that adapter I linked to + a heatsink...that's literally all it is. So if you can get it cheaper than a NGFF + adapter, go for it, but don't spend more on it as it's just made prettier by adding the heatsink so you can't see it's just a basic adapter.

Thanks again for the advice. I have the motherboard manual and can see that is supports the NGFF cards but the maual makes no mention to antenna built in or otherwise. I assumed I would need antenna. I can't see anywhere on the motherboard where there are antenna. The motherboard is: ASRock X570M Pro4.

Huh, you're right, I just looked up pics of the board, and I don't see leads for antennas.

So yeah, go with a PCIe 1.x adapter + card. But just remember if you go with the AX200 (which is the ONLY available wifi6 controller right now), you need a newer kernel before installing it.

Back when I actually used wireless I just got tired of messing around and bought USB or Ethernet versions and never worried about drivers ever again. One Dlink I used for years had 3 modes (Input, Output, and Access Point) extremely useful for business trips and in hotels.

Ahhh the good old days. Life is no longer so easy. I also used to stand by D-Link - have a look at this thread to see how things have degenerated. I also swear by Intel in (pre-built) laptops, but haven't tried their add-on cards.

Intel cards usually work and play well with Linux. I've bought several native Linux computers (Zareason and ThinkPenguin) and they all come with Intel inside.

I would say one that does 802.11 b,g, & n; one that does 2.4Ghz & 5Ghz. Not Realtek, or broadcom, which often give issues.

Yes it will work

I just ethernet to another computer with WiFi. And bridge through it. ATM that's a banana pi m3. But it's been a pocket chip and various laptops as well. One advantage of doing it this way is that if your wifi stinks, you can put that other device where ever it works. So you don't have to compute from the middle of your door-jam or other oddities.