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What Is a Wireless Network Adapter?

In order for a computer to connect to a WiFi network, it needs a wireless network card, sometimes known as a network adapter, connected to its motherboard. A wireless card picks up wireless signals from a router or access point via its antennas, allowing the user to create a wireless connection to the internet.

If you have never seen or heard of a wireless adapter, it is probably because most of todays motherboards come with onboard WiFi cards built in. Thus, you usually won’t need to buy a separate WiFi adapter when you purchase a new computer. However, if you are building a desktop PC, some motherboard models require you to install your own wireless network adapter instead.

You might also use an adapter if your PCs built in card doesn’t support the latest WiFi technology, such as dual band 2.4GHz / 5GHz or the WiFi 6 standard. If your PC currently doesn’t support Bluetooth connectivity, you might also be looking for a so called combo card that also adds Bluetooth functionality.

Which Wireless Network Adapter Should I Choose?

These are some of the most important factors to consider when you are evaluating the specs of a wireless network adapter:

USB vs. PCIe: USB WiFi adapters connect to your computers USB port, typically via a USB-A connector. They are convenient to install and easy to move from one computer to another. Take note of the supported USB protocols if you are looking for the high speeds of USB 3.0. PCIe adapters connect directly to your motherboard through its PCIe slots. They are slightly more complex to install, although still relatively simple, and they tend to provide faster performance than USB adapters.

Form Factor: Some USB wireless adapters use only a fingernail sized dongle. Others, including most PCIe based models, use multiple external antennas to provide improved signal strength.

Connectivity Standards: Some wireless adapters also include Bluetooth compatibility, allowing you to connect Bluetooth devices to your computer. If your router uses popular speed boosting standards like MUMIMO or dual band WiFi, make sure your wireless adapter is compatible with these standards so you can enjoy the full advantages of their improved speeds. Finally, with more people making the transition to the WiFi 6 standard, it can also be a smart idea to look for WiFi 6 compatibility - so long as your router also supports it.

Operating System: Some adapters only support Windows or macOS, or in some cases, certain Linux distros).

Find The Best Wireless Network Adapters at Micro Center

Shop Micro Centers selection of wireless network adapters here and find the perfect connectivity solution for your PC. We offer industry best pricing on top networking tech brands like TP Link, Netgear, ASUS, and more. Setting up WiFi for your home? See our full lineup of wireless networking devices, including routers, range extenders, and more.

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Showing 120 of 480 for “wifi card”
Community Article Driver trouble with ASUS AC58BT wifi card — Micro Center I obtained the AC58BT wifi card and followed the installation process but after multiple uninstalls and reinstalls it was being recognized not as the marketed product but as a Network GBE Family controller. Community Article What new wifi card should I buy when my motherboard is old? — Micro Center It seems to me that I have an outdated motherboard and I'd like to buy a new WIFI card. I bought a prebuilt ASUS some years ago and my WIFI card is broken. Community Article Is my wifi card busted? What should I look for in a new one? — Micro Center So I recently had a PC built and I totally got the wrong motherboard, I got one with no wifi. I bought an external wifi chip. Community Article What Wifi Card is good to buy for the B550 A-Pro — Micro Center I have just finished building my pc and am now looking to finish it up with a wifi card as the B550 A Pro doesn't have on board wifi support. Community Article Gigabyte Project Stealth DIY SKU:550079 — Micro Center Looking for CPU suggestion(fastest intel) that can be Air Cooled- Mother board does not have Wifi card- What can be suggested? Community Article Thank you to MC today — Micro Center I was told that my laptop need a wifi card replacement by Best Buy Geek Squad. They said they don't carry it at the store level and that I should go to MC. Community Article Need help getting a run-through. — Micro Center Hello, so I was looking towards buying the ASRock B650 PRO RS and saw that it doesnt have a wifi version. Community Article First gaming computer and build - need a little advice please — Micro Center Embarking on a father-son project to build a gaming computer for son.  Initially, he will have to play over our wireless network but eventually, he'll be hard wired.  With that in mind, are we better off buying a separate wifi card or buying a mother board already equipped with wifi? Community Article Wifi help — Micro Center So I have an asus Z170-ar motherboard which has no wifi or bluetooth. If I wanted to install wifi and bluetooth it, what would you guys recommend? Community Article Selecting Wireless Cards — Micro Center I have an old HP desktop that I inherited from my old work (they were upgrading). Community Article Designing my first build. Looking for advice and reviews — Micro Center Hi guys! I haven't started my first build, mainly because I want to secure a good GPU before purchasing all the other parts. Community Article Adding RGB Lighting ? G436 — Micro Center I recently purchased a G436 gaming computer that has a MSI Z490 Plus motherboard. Community Article Question about getting some hardware upgrades for my laptop — Micro Center I have an Asus TUF FX505DU gaming laptop, and I'm looking to get some hardware inside it replaced in the near future. Community Article Bluetooth — Micro Center My bluetooth recently stopped working on my desktop. I have updated drivers and still no luck. Community Article WIFI Connectivity Issues w/ New Build — Micro Center Hi, We have never purchased a new built computer before.  We used Micro Center to build it but chose the parts w/ suggestions from colleagues. Community Article WiFi 6 for PowerSpec G465(Build 1) — Micro Center My Mobo is the Z390 Phantom Gaming 6 with the M.2 WiFi/BT Module and Intel® CNVi (Integrated WiFi/BT).  The AsRock website states "M.2 Socket (Key E), supports type 2230 WiFi/BT module and Intel® CNVi (Integrated WiFi/BT). Supports CNVio1 WiFi module(Intel® Wireless-AC 9560/9462/9461) only." Is it possible to replace this with a WiFi 6 AX model? Community Article Wifi is not connecting? — Micro Center I have the ASUS H670-Plus D4 and I believe I have a wifi adapter but it is not showing any wifi networks and when I go to Network Connections it is only showing Bluetooth Connections. Community Article Bluetooth not found — Micro Center I have a G354 and the Bluetooth stopped working. It can not be found in the device managers or under setting either. Community Article How to activate asus motherboard Wi-Fi? — Micro Center I have an ASUS B550-PLUS TUF Gaming WiFi II AMD AM4 ATX Motherboard but just connecting the included Wi-Fi antenna thing does not seem to be working. Community Article Need help finding these parts on the pc builder app — Micro Center Hi i want to hire microcenter to build the pc above but im having trouble finding the parts on the pc builder. Can someone help me find them?

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