Can I use both of my WiFi receivers at the same time?

[NSR]

Haven't found a concrete answer.

My MOBO has built-in WiFi and I also have an MSI AXE5400 receiver. I can switch between them and can see they're both connected to my router but I can only use one at a time.

Is it possible to dedicate each receiver to specific apps so I can use one for downloads whilst the other streams content?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Technically, yes, you can do this. See use two internet connections simultaneously.

 

[Kwadratowicz]

I think that You can bridge the connections from different sources in windows.
but it will just use the double bandwidth, and I think it is impossible to do in windows that You are using both adapters independently.

Redirecting

But I don't know if it works as You would like to work (i mean bridging)
I found something like that https://technoresult.com/how-to-use-multiple-internet-connections-at-same-time-in-windows-11-10/

 

[LabRat 891]

SMB3 in Windows is supposed to allow this. However, I have only ever utilized it w/ wired NICs.

Manage SMB Multichannel

Use this topic to use SMB Multichannel for increased throughput and network fault tolerance.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[NSR]

Technically, yes, you can do this. See use two internet connections simultaneously.

I was hoping for a simpler solution, ngl. This seems to want me to split the connection from the router and then connect to each one independently?

I think that You can bridge the connections from different sources in windows.
but it will just use the double bandwidth, and I think it is impossible to do in windows that You are using both adapters independently.

Redirecting

But I don't know if it works as You would like to work (i mean bridging)
I found something like that https://technoresult.com/how-to-use-multiple-internet-connections-at-same-time-in-windows-11-10/

I see, I just bridged the connection. Didn't even know that was a thing. My goal is just to not have my downloads cut into my streaming quality.

SMB3 in Windows is supposed to allow this. However, I have only ever utilized it w/ wired NICs.

Manage SMB Multichannel

Use this topic to use SMB Multichannel for increased throughput and network fault tolerance.

learn.microsoft.com

I don't think this quite applies to what I'm trying to do. Mentions requiring two PCs?

 

[Kwadratowicz]

I would go with something to manage downloads and speed of them, cause if You don't saturate the bandwidth it should be ok.
and on what type of network are working the receivers?
cause You can add interference with 2 antennas of the same frequency.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I was hoping for a simpler solution, ngl. This seems to want me to split the connection from the router and then connect to each one independently?

The link I provided shows multiple ways.

For me, using two computers is the best solution.

 

[NSR]

I would go with something to manage downloads and speed of them, cause if You don't saturate the bandwidth it should be ok.
and on what type of network are working the receivers?
cause You can add interference with 2 antennas of the same frequency.

They're both set to auto, should I lock them to 2.4 and 5GHz respectively?

The link I provided shows multiple ways.

For me, using two computers is the best solution.

Tfw I shouldn't have sold my Beelink mini PC.

 

[Kwadratowicz]

What router do you have?
Because maybe You can make 2 different wifi networks with different channels on 5gHz
but link the router .
how far are You from router? and how far are antennas of those 2 receivers?

 

[NSR]

What router do you have?
Because maybe You can make 2 different wifi networks with different channels on 5gHz
but link the router .
how far are You from router? and how far are antennas of those 2 receivers?

It's a Virgin Media Broadband, tbh don't know the exact model.

I'm upstairs away from it, like 15 meters. My antennas both receive 2.4GHz with 2/3 bars on the WiFi icon so good strength and 5GHz is received with 1/3 bars.

 

[Kwadratowicz]

Ok how fast is Your internet?
PS I will respond tomorrow.

 

[Bill_Bright]

5GHz is only good for very short distances, preferably with no barriers (walls, floors, ceilings). No surprise 5GHz, 15m (~46ft) away with at least 1 barrier has poor signal strength.

 

[Rover4444]

My goal is just to not have my downloads cut into my streaming quality.

Wouldn't QoS help with this?

It's a Virgin Media Broadband, tbh don't know the exact model.

I'm upstairs away from it, like 15 meters. My antennas both receive 2.4GHz with 2/3 bars on the WiFi icon so good strength and 5GHz is received with 1/3 bars.

It would probably be best to use another router in client mode. EA8300/8500s can be had for pretty cheap.

 

[DirtyDingusMcgee]

Forcebindip is probably the easiest way i can think of to set different programs to different network connections in non-server windows.

https://r1ch.net/projects/forcebindip cmd

https://github.com/ixjb94/ForceBindIP-Gui gui if you desire

 

[Kwadratowicz]

I think that You need to test speeds of the internet in different configurations, cause even if it's one bar it is a signal, but in the other hand with one bar on 5gHz You could have the same speeds as two bars on 2.4 gHz
You've got 1 router and 2 receivers so it's only 10 combinations ,
But question is if You can consume all of the bandwidth of the provider with the configuration of dual wifi cards.

 

[NSR]

Ok how fast is Your internet?
PS I will respond tomorrow.

I think that You need to test speeds of the internet in different configurations, cause even if it's one bar it is a signal, but in the other hand with one bar on 5gHz You could have the same speeds as two bars on 2.4 gHz
You've got 1 router and 2 receivers so it's only 10 combinations ,
But question is if You can consume all of the bandwidth of the provider with the configuration of dual wifi cards.

Found out my router is Virgin Media 3.0 Hub. Reported download average is around 130 Mbps.

Ran some speed tests through the bridge in different configurations like you suggested. It seems that the MSI AXE5400 is the stronger receiver, gives me 100-130 mbps at 5GHz but the MOBO can't break above 15 Mbps at 5GHz. I'm okay downloading a game at 15 Mbps though if I can isolate that.

5GHz is only good for very short distances, preferably with no barriers (walls, floors, ceilings). No surprise 5GHz, 15m (~46ft) away with at least 1 barrier has poor signal strength.

Yeah, I just about maintain the signal.

Wouldn't QoS help with this?

It would probably be best to use another router in client mode. EA8300/8500s can be had for pretty cheap.

This? Is it different from a range extender?

QoS is already enabled, it probably does something but not enough apparently.

Forcebindip is probably the easiest way i can think of to set different programs to different network connections in non-server windows.

https://r1ch.net/projects/forcebindip cmd

https://github.com/ixjb94/ForceBindIP-Gui gui if you desire

Interesting...I booted up Steam using CMD and tied it to my MOBO WiFi whilst everything else is using the MSI adapter. It seems like it worked. I'll use it throughout the day to verify.

Thanks for the link.

 

[Kwadratowicz]

Can You try mobo with 2.4 gHz?
Ps it seems like the msi card has better overall antenna. Cause the asrock has just typical omnidirectional antennas, but msi looks like antenna on pcb which has higher gains overall.
And what speed is Your provider giving You? I mean in the agreement what speeds You have?
Edit If You can connect pc with cable it would be the best. If not check if You can use all bandwidth that provider is supposed to give to You . If yes I don't think it is good to buy new router, if not than maybe.

 

[NSR]

Can You try mobo with 2.4 gHz?
Ps it seems like the msi card has better overall antenna. Cause the asrock has just typical omnidirectional antennas, but msi looks like antenna on pcb which has higher gains overall.
And what speed is Your provider giving You? I mean in the agreement what speeds You have?
Edit If You can connect pc with cable it would be the best. If not check if You can use all bandwidth that provider is supposed to give to You . If yes I don't think it is good to buy new router, if not than maybe.

I would like to but I'm too far to use Ethernet.

My package uses M125 Fibre Broadband which offers 132 Mbps so, at least with the 5GHz on the MSI adapter, that's using all it can.

At 2.4GHz my MOBO is more or less the same, anywhere from 5 to 15 Mbps.

---

Forcebindip CMD seems to be the answer to my problem.

Here I've booted up Steam and started downloading without Forcebindip. It's using the AXE5400 since it's the current adapter in use.

Here I've launched Steam through Forcebindip. It's now using the MOBO as instructed which is also slower so the numbers verify that. The AXE5400 is also just completely idle. This frees up my AXE5400 to stream videos without interference whilst downloading games. So far it's working well.

 

[de.das.dude]

i personally prefer running hard wire to any desktop. I have a wifi board on my motherboard but use it ONLY when the ISP goes down and i need to connect to my phone's 5g hotspot for work.

Other wise wifi never felt good enough for me, and i tried so many things like using a repeater, changing to a different router than the one provided by ISP etc. Wire is king.

 

[Rover4444]

This? Is it different from a range extender?

Yes, it's a router. You can get them cheap second-hand, don't buy it new.

QoS is already enabled, it probably does something but not enough apparently.

It just prioritizes certain types of traffic, it doesn't increase overall throughput.