Cheap, solid USB WiFi Adaptor / Dongle for Crunching System? USB 2.0

Sasqui · Nov 16, 2016

I've got a system I'm dedicating to crunching at work 24/7. We've got a guest WiFi network to connect to, it does g/n/ac.

The system only has USB 2.0 (older Xeon system P5Q Deluxe motherboard), and I'd like to connect to the WiFi via that. NOTE: Cabling is NOT and option.

Any recommendations for a USB WiFi Adapter for under $20? OS is Win 7

jboydgolfer · Nov 16, 2016

i have one of these HERE and they are solid....the linked one is a Refurb for $11, but a new one is around $20'ish...they go on sale often for $10 or so.

Kursah · Nov 16, 2016

I've used a lot of the Rosewill RNX-N180UBE2's over the past 5+ years. They are starting to be phased out, but worth buying if you want a stable USB2 WiFi adapter that has excellent signal reception for its price.

Sasqui · Nov 16, 2016

Kursah said:
I've used a lot of the Rosewill RNX-N180UBE2's over the past 5+ years. They are starting to be phased out, but worth buying if you want a stable USB2 WiFi adapter that has excellent signal reception for its price.

WiFi hotspot is right outside my office and coverage is great all over. Considering this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z08VH8G/?tag=tec06d-20&th=1

Kursah · Nov 16, 2016

Shouldn't be an issue if the AP is that close. But those smaller ones are more apt to interference due to having a smaller antenna. If there's even 1 wall in between you and the AP, you could drop a little signal...probably not enough to be concerned. I've never really been impressed with those smaller internal antenna WiFi adapters, but I have used a lot of em...just not that specific model.

Sasqui · Nov 16, 2016

Kursah said:
Shouldn't be an issue if the AP is that close. But those smaller ones are more apt to interference due to having a smaller antenna. If there's even 1 wall in between you and the AP, you could drop a little signal...probably not enough to be concerned. I've never really been impressed with those smaller internal antenna WiFi adapters, but I have used a lot of em...just not that specific model.

I've been impressed with Rosewill products in the past. Support seems ok too. I'm going to grab that one.

Kursah · Nov 16, 2016

Cool, keep us posted! The Rosewill products I've used over the years have all been good, so I imagine that will treat you well.

Luke Whitton · Nov 16, 2016

Are powerline adapters (Ethernet though power) not feasible either? Ive found them to be the next best thing to hard wiring.

Kursah · Nov 16, 2016

Probably not in his budget of <$20.

Sasqui · Nov 16, 2016

Luke Whitton said:
Are powerline adapters (Ethernet though power) not feasible either? Ive found them to be the next best thing to hard wiring.

No, no access to cables, machine would have to be on our local domain and this one is flying under the "radar"

Kursah said:
Probably not in his budget of <$20.

That too, lol

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System Name	Senile
Processor	I7-4790K@4.8 GHz 24/7
Motherboard	MSI Z97-G45 Gaming
Cooling	Be Quiet Pure Rock Air
Memory	16GB 4x4 G.Skill CAS9 2133 Sniper
Video Card(s)	GIGABYTE Vega 64
Storage	Samsung EVO 500GB / 8 Different WDs / QNAP TS-253 8GB NAS with 2x10Tb WD Blue
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Display(s)	Acer 28" 4K VG280K x2 \| 16" 2560x1600 built-in
Case	Corsair 600C - Stock Fans on Low \| Stock Metal/Plastic
Audio Device(s)	Aune T1 mk1 > AKG K553 Pro + JVC HA-RX 700 (Equalizer APO + PeaceUI) \| Bluetooth Earbuds (BX29)
Power Supply	EVGA 750G2 Modular + APC Back-UPS Pro 1500 \| 300W OEM (heavy use) or Lenovo Legion C135W GAN (light)
Mouse	Logitech G502 \| Logitech M330
Keyboard	HyperX Alloy Core RGB \| Built in Keyboard (Lenovo laptop KB FTW)
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Cheap, solid USB WiFi Adaptor / Dongle for Crunching System? USB 2.0

Sasqui

jboydgolfer

Kursah

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