Wireless

foreright · 30 May 2010 at 22:47

Do motherboard come wireless ready or do you have to add a card or use a dongle. I cannot sem to find the feature when looking at the specs.
If it does exist on some cards, what would be the wordin / code to identify this. Thanks.

Daegan · 30 May 2010 at 23:08

Very few if any boards come with wireless LAN, I haven't seen one for a couple of years. You'll need to buy a wireless card or dongle.

cmndr_andi · 30 May 2010 at 23:09

Most boards (especially full ATX ones) do not come with any Wifi, so you will need to buy a Wifi card or USB dongle.

What is the type of wifi network do you plan on connecting to (b/g/n), and would you prefer a PCI card or USB adapter?

Also, as it will be a non-mobile PC, have you considered Gigabit Ethernet or Powerline? These connections have much more bandwidth and introduce much less lag.

foreright · 30 May 2010 at 23:16

I have to build my lad a HTPC as at present he plays his music collection from a WD network HD (in another room with his broadband) using his laptop (wireless) connected to an audio amp.
I have therefor to accomodate this with wireless on new MB. Most probably a Micro ATX MB.
I was looking at Asus H55 and i3 CPU, soundcard , small HD, 80+ PSU and Win 7. The only issue I had was the wireless feature.
The spec for the HTPC was hopefully for a low energy one to keep it quiet. I don't know if I,m on the right track.
I must say that the build would be with futureability for him to rip DVD's and play them - in the future.
Is Gigabit Ethernet, hard wired connection to router?

Daegan · 30 May 2010 at 23:23

I forgot about the Zotac boards, aimed at HTPC builds. One listed by OcUK and it comes with wireless.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-004-ZT

cmndr_andi · 30 May 2010 at 23:24

If you are looking for a small motherboard with wifi and ability to take an i3 CPU - the "ZOTAC H55ITX-A-E" motherboard seems to fit the bill. It is mini ITX, which is even smaller than micro ATX.

Edit: beaten to it

However, it does seem to be a bit on the expensive side. IMHO, you would be better off with a micro ATX board like this and a decent wifi dongle like this.

RenoRanes007 · 31 May 2010 at 14:14

My current Board, the Asus M3a32-MVP Delux has WiFi and worked really well, I say 'Worked' as it's now decided to stop seeing either of my Hard Drives and is sitting at Asus somewhere waiting for them to stop Eating Dounuts, Drinking Coffe and Do Some Work.

http://www.techspot.com/review/81-asus-m3a32-mvp-deluxe/