Is an external wireless adapter appreciably slower than an internal one (plugged into a PCI slot).?

Question

I have an internal one. I'm staying at a place where I have to perch my desktop precariously high because of extremely low signal. If I had one that simply plugged into a USB port, I wouldn't have this problem.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Your question is about speed.  As long as both adapters are both "N" or "G" the speed will be the same.  What you seem to me to be concerned about is reception.  I believe that one plugged into USB where you can get the adapter up high will have better reception.

Answer 2

I've heard PCI are better, I suspect it's because of the direct connection to the motherboard, while an external USB adapter would have to send the information farther, and over a slower interface, to get the info to your motherboard.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I would say that a card installed in a PCI slot would be better than a USB adapter because of the PCI card having an antennae.