Adding a WiFi Mini mSata to Desktop

[theFOoL]

Hi,

Now I know THIS can be added for Storage but I looked at THIS but was just Way Too Much Money

So you think just Adding the WiFi to the other would hurt anything?


I have a Friend who would Drill 2 holes on the top of my case for the Antennas

 

[Caring1]

You can find PCI-e adapters for wi-fi cards on eBay, they include at least one antenna on the rear.

 

[infrared]

I don't think your (OP) idea will quite work as msata =/= mini-pcie, even though the connector is physically the same, the pin-out is different. However there are the version you need available.

I think THIS is what you need. No drilling of holes needed either

 

[Bill_Bright]

Drilling holes in the case makes no sense. For one, the risk of metal filings falling into the case and falling onto or under the motherboard, or into the power supply are too great. So to do it right, everything inside the case should come out first and that introduces a lot more risks.

I agree there are plenty of less expensive PCIe adapters than that one. I don't understand what it means by wireless card not included anyway. And you didn't say you need bluetooth.

If short on PCIe slots, I would look at getting a USB Wifi Adapter. The short little dongle adapters work great at relatively short distances - say 30 feet or under with no more than one barrier (floor, ceiling, wall) between you and the wireless access point (WAP). These are really nice simply because they don't stick out.

For further distances, or where there are thick barriers full of metal pipes and wires, get one with an external antenna or antennas.

 

[theFOoL]

Yeah LoL but just wanted to try something different. Like Adding Laptop Parts to a Desktop

Think that Actually work? Like THIS video as he did it

 

[Bill_Bright]

Sorry, but I'm not watching that. You typically cannot add PCIe cards to laptops so I really don't understand what you are doing, or more importantly, why.

If you want to experiment, go for it and let us know how it works.

 

[cdawall]

Why are you trying to reinvent the wheel these literally exist.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/479044/PCE-AC55BT_AC1200_Dual_Band_PCI-Express_Adapter

 

[Bill_Bright]

Looks like he's in India by his second link - that's why I used Amazon India for the USB adapters. But still, it seems he is looking into "Adding Laptop Parts to a Desktop" and PCIe cards are not normally considered laptop parts.

 

[theFOoL]

Sorry, but I'm not watching that. You typically cannot add PCIe cards to laptops so I really don't understand what you are doing, or more importantly, why.

If you want to experiment, go for it and let us know how it works.

You clearly don't understand to what I was wanting to do. I simply wanted too add a mSata WiFi Card that was Meant for Laptops. Searching for a PCI-E x4 Adapter seemed hard to search for but I found some. Basically I wanted to use a mSata Storage Card but I don't think that'd work. If it did then by buying the WiFi Antennas then I'd have to Drill through my case which was done for my Zotac Mini thankful for my friend and his Tool but To what I realized my Motherboard had no PCI-E x4 Slot so it was pointless BUT if I'd want to build another PC then I'd Toy around with this Idea LoL

 

[cdawall]

All of these things exist

http://www.microcenter.com/product/459985/Multi-size_mSATA_to_SATA_III_Converter_Kit

You would also be looking for a 1x not a 4x for those wifi cards. There are a plethora of them in existence.

 

[theFOoL]

Thanks. By buying a Case I could simply just make a SSD out it

 

[Bill_Bright]

I simply wanted too add a mSata WiFi Card that was Meant for Laptops.

You say "simply" but this is not that simple.

1. mSATA is a disk drive interface. So "mSATA" and "wifi" don't typically or "simply" go together.
   
2. By a HUGE margin, the VAST majority of laptops do NOT support removable "cards". Especially PCIe cards because laptops typically have thin cases. So finding any card, let alone a PCIe wifi card designed for laptops is not that simple. A PCIe mSATA wifi card is harder still.
   
3. There are no ATX Form Factor standards for laptops. That means laptops tend to be very proprietary which means very often, add-on parts are very limited, expensive, and often MUST come from the laptop maker. PCs, on the other hand, have the ATX Form Factor standard. This allows PC owners to mix and match industry standard parts designed for the PC from all brands and know they will be compatible.

 

[dorsetknob]

Go Retro
go PMCI
go PMCI>PCI Adapter
Go

 

[theFOoL]

So Sorry. So many sites call it a Mini PCIe which is somewhat true but those two split connectors to *ME refers to the mSata look so

 

[eidairaman1]

Laptop standards are different, save yourself the headache and get a PCI or PCIE wifi card, tp-Link and trendnet make dome pretty good ones, plus you can get antenna that can detatch and you can get extended antenna that can be repositioned for better signal strength.

 

[Caring1]

I don't think your (OP) idea will quite work as msata =/= mini-pcie, even though the connector is physically the same, the pin-out is different. However there are the version you need available.

I think THIS is what you need. No drilling of holes needed either

Which is exactly what I referred to in my post prior to yours.

 

[Bill_Bright]

So Sorry. So many sites call it a Mini PCIe which is somewhat true but those two split connectors to *ME refers to the mSata look so

It is not the mini PCIe that's the issue. It is you apparently wanting mSATA and wifi together on this one mini PCIe card.

Again, SATA is used to connect drives and has nothing to do with wireless networking. Wifi is a wireless network adapter and has nothing to do with connecting a SATA drive.

So what do you really want to do here? Are you trying to connect SATA drives to this computer? Or are you trying to add wireless networking? Or both?

 

[cdawall]

You say "simply" but this is not that simple.

1. mSATA is a disk drive interface. So "mSATA" and "wifi" don't typically or "simply" go together.
   
2. By a HUGE margin, the VAST majority of laptops do NOT support removable "cards". Especially PCIe cards because laptops typically have thin cases. So finding any card, let alone a PCIe wifi card designed for laptops is not that simple. A PCIe mSATA wifi card is harder still.
   
3. There are no ATX Form Factor standards for laptops. That means laptops tend to be very proprietary which means very often, add-on parts are very limited, expensive, and often MUST come from the laptop maker. PCs, on the other hand, have the ATX Form Factor standard. This allows PC owners to mix and match industry standard parts designed for the PC from all brands and know they will be compatible.

What are you ranting about almost every modern laptop has one of three cards

Pci express mini

Pci express micro

NGFF M.2

The only laptops without one of those STANDARDS. Are typically atom based and that has the wifi built onto the cpu. The HP stream uses a card integrated into the board as well, but these are huge exceptions most laptops use on of those standards.

 

[eidairaman1]

Considering it used to be pcmcia, pc card lolz

 

[theFOoL]

Yeah most Laptops have PCI Express Micro but the newer one have the new M.2 Connector

Again sorry for the Mix-Up on the Title of Connector

 

[cdawall]

Each of those has a pcie adapter for an atx board. This is common knowledge and easily Googled.

If the goal is an msata they sell adapters but they are more aimed under raid cards.

 

[Bill_Bright]

What are you ranting about almost every modern laptop has one of three cards

Ranting? Was that necessary?

Note the OP specifically mentioned "storage" in his first post. If that has been totally ruled out and he's looking to add wifi only, then fine. But I still contend adding a USB wifi adapter makes more sense, or a simple PCIe wifi adapter - rather than using something designed for notebooks.

Considering it used to be pcmcia

PCMCIA (or PC Card) cards slide into slots from the exterior of the notebook. They are made to pop in and pop out as needed. Mini PCIe cards are meant to be installed internally, and generally permanently.

 

[cdawall]

Ranting? Was that necessary?

Note the OP specifically mentioned "storage" in his first post. If that has been totally ruled out and he's looking to add wifi only, then fine. But I still contend adding a USB wifi adapter makes more sense, or a simple PCIe wifi adapter - rather than using something designed for notebooks.

Yes that comment was, because your long rant was not only incorrect, but useless.

People use laptop adapters, because to this date Intel makes one of the best wifi cards that are available. To further point out why you are wrong, you do know that a multitude of desktop boards not only in the OEM world, but in the DIY world either include a slot for the laptop style wifi cards or even have them preinstalled.

It is strange how that STANDARD exists and is used in the entire PC world.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Yes that comment was, because your long rant was not only incorrect, but useless.

Then use the report button if a post does not meet your approval. Personal derogatory comments just degrade threads. Long rant? It was neither long, or a rant.

To further point out why you are wrong, you do know that a multitude of desktop boards...either include a slot for the laptop style wifi cards or even have them preinstalled.

I'm wrong? Oh? Since you know it all, just what board does the OP have then? Show us where he stated which board he has. If the one listed in his System Specs, it has neither a slot for the laptop style wifi card, nor one preinstalled. So how does that make me wrong?

You would rather he use an unnecessary adapter and drill holes in his case to get wifi? Yeah right.

 

[infrared]

Then use the report button if a post does not meet your approval. Personal derogatory comments just degrade threads. Long rant? It was neither long, or a rant.

You're reaching.... cdawall's post wasn't a 'personal' or 'derogatory'. Seems like you're just playing a martyr and trying to insight an aguement.

I'm wrong? Oh? Since you know it all, just what board does the OP have then? Show us where he stated which board he has. If the one listed in his System Specs, it has neither a slot for the laptop style wifi card, nor one preinstalled. So how does that make me wrong?

You would rather he use an unnecessary adapter and drill holes in his case to get wifi? Yeah right.

He's not wrong on any point, so you need to drop this. Stop going round in circles trying to stir up trouble. Consider this a warning.