The WLAN card is practical for everyone whose desktop computer does not have WLAN. It used to be assumed that these desktop computers had their fixed place and therefore in the office LAN cable get connected. In practice, however, WLAN is often practical here too. If only because you might not want to run a LAN cable through the whole apartment. The WLAN card will help you here and we will tell you below what to look out for with it.

What is a WiFi card?

The WLAN card is a plug-in card that can be retrofitted inside a computer. However, one or the other desktop computer also has one ex works. If this is not the case, with such a card it is no problem at all to expand the computer with this technology.

In a Notebook basically there is also a WLAN card, only that this is not so easily accessible.

What should be considered when buying?

First of all, you should clarify: Do you have a free PCI Express slot in your computer?
You can check this by opening the housing. Normally you remove the left housing wall, for which two screws on the back have to be loosened.

These connectors aren't always blue, but they're always blue, and they sit on the motherboard, facing the back of the computer. If one is free, you can also install the WLAN card.

Technical data of the WLAN card

First, pay attention to the distinction between 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz. Check whether your router at home supports the 5 GHz frequency range supports. This transmission mode allows a much faster data transmission than the former 2,4 GHz. If your router supports this, you should definitely use the 5 GHz card.

Is Bluetooth on board? If you're already upgrading to WiFi, your computer may or probably doesn't have Bluetooth. Many WLAN cards can also take over this at the same time. With Bluetooth being used for everything these days, it's handy to have this technology with you as well.

The antennas: All of these cards have antennas. On some models they are permanently installed on the back and others offer a huge advantage. With these others, the antennas are mounted on a small stand and can be placed anywhere. Because just under one Desk on the back of a computer, reception is often disrupted. With such a model you can avoid this by placing the antennas on the Desk, put it on the windowsill or on the shelf. If a connection that is as perfect as possible is not important to you, feel free to use the other model.

There are also cards without antennas. These are tiny and are therefore better suited for very small computer cases. However, the reception is never as good as with a model with antennas. And they usually never get in the way on the back of a PC.

Also pay attention to the addition Wi-Fi 6. This is the latest version of the WLAN protocol and you are technically best positioned with it.

How do I install the WiFi card?

• First, shut down the computer and disconnect the power supply by pulling out the cold device plug.
• Now unscrew the left housing wall of the computer by loosening the two screws at the back. (May be different for some housings.)
• Find a free PCI E slot and carefully insert the card. Make sure that you don't place them too close to devices that rely on good air circulation, such as a graphics card.
• Now put your computer back into operation as usual. A current Windows system should automatically recognize the card and install a standard driver. Without any action on your part, you should be able to use the WiFi function almost immediately. This works as usual via the small WiFi symbol in the toolbar.
• If it doesn't, you may need to manually install a driver. Look for this in the operating instructions of the WLAN card. Under Startup this should be easy to find.

Tip: If the computer with the new card is too far away from the router, you may be able to help WiFi Repeaterto improve reception.

You can easily check your final Internet speed in the browser with a Speedtest determine.

The most important thing about the WiFi card in a nutshell

A WLAN card is useful for adding wireless LAN functionality to a desktop PC. Installation is child's play and only requires plugging a card into a small slot. The installation is nowadays with a Windows system more or less by itself. In many application scenarios, it is easier to handle than a long LAN cable to the router or ours NAS.

FAQ for the WiFi card

Sources

• WiFi stick or card? – Chip.de
• WLAN adapter – PCWelt.de
• WLAN card comparison – Bild.de