Wireless Desktop or Wired? - Hardware & Software

Hey guys, looking for some input on whether or not to install a wireless card/usb wireless in my desktop or using a wired connection. Before you all rush to say wired, there are some circumstantial things that are leading me to consider wireless as an option. My current ISP is Cox, and they offer cable internet service, but unfortunately my room does not have a cable outlet. Now, I also do not know what wires I have running behind my walls, but it is entirely likely I might have to pay more on top of the $50 flat install fee to get cable in the room. Also, if wireless turns out to be the best option what type of wireless card should I buy? Any assistance into this is very welcome.

Is it not possible to run an ethernet cable along the ceiling or floor? Otherwise, wireless depends on how far away the router is and also on obstructions and interference (e.g. thick walls, foil backed insulation, cordless phones, other wifi signals etc). Plus if you're gaming, don't forget that wireless will have a higher latency than wired.

The wireless adapter I have is the ALFA AWUS036NH, it has a great range and performance. You can get it for about $20-30. If you're not a fan of USB adapters, I can't really help you.

[QUOTE=1solidsnake2;37795031]Is it not possible to run an ethernet cable along the ceiling or floor? Otherwise, wireless depends on how far away the router is and also on obstructions and interference (e.g. thick walls, foil backed insulation, cordless phones, other wifi signals etc). Plus if you're gaming, don't forget that wireless will have a higher latency than wired.[/QUOTE] Not really, unless I were to buy about a 100ft cable and run it through the main room, around some corners and into my room.

[QUOTE=1solidsnake2;37795031]Is it not possible to run an ethernet cable along the ceiling or floor? Otherwise, wireless depends on how far away the router is and also on obstructions and interference (e.g. thick walls, foil backed insulation, cordless phones, other wifi signals etc). Plus if you're gaming, [B]don't forget that wireless will have a higher latency than wired[/B].[/QUOTE] Not necessarily true. Even in cases where it is true, the latency increase is negligible. Ping your router (likely 192.168.1.1) - The result should never be more than a couple of milliseconds, which will of course have pretty much no effect whatsoever. The thing that gamers must concern themselves with is jitter, which is basically the fluctuation of the ping. The reason this is important is because almost all games do some form of lag prediction and compensation. If your ping is wildly fluctuating between 20 and 150, this compensation becomes pretty much impossible and will make your game jerky and wierd as shit. Unless you are using awful equipment however, you are unlikely to notice any problems as a result of it. IMO there is nothing wrong with going wireless. If it's more convenient then do it, I use a wireless connection for games and I don't have any issues.

Thanks Jallen, that is really helpful. I use wireless on my laptop already and I don't get jitters higher than 5ms according to Speedtest.net's other application pingtest. My ping hovers around 30-35ms never going above or below either number so I take it that this is a good sign. Also, I can play most modern games on my laptop in multiplayer without any issue, so I'm hoping this carries over into any desktop wireless card/usb card. So, my next question is which card/usb input should I get for wireless? I don't have any preferences, but I do have a budget of no more than $50. Just looking for the best bang for my buck when it comes to this. Also, my mobo has an extra slot open for a wireless card in case that is a concern when choosing what to buy.

[QUOTE=VistaPOWA;37795089]The wireless adapter I have is the ALFA AWUS036NH, it has a great range and performance. You can get it for about $20-30. If you're not a fan of USB adapters, I can't really help you.[/QUOTE] This! Those ALFA thingies are fucking badass, they have 2000mw transmission power even though only 200mw are allowed in the EU :v:

[QUOTE=DrogenViech;37805559]This! Those ALFA thingies are fucking badass, they have 2000mw transmission power even though only 200mw are allowed in the EU :v:[/QUOTE] A good signal in exchange for excessive radiation exposure? Shut up and take my money!

Food for thought. Depending on how much insulation you have (interior walls are generally better for this), its often possible to just put in a wall socket and drop a cable two or even three stories straight down the the basement. Takes a bit of work, and some patience for when something invariably gets stuck, but it does make things nice and neat. If you have extra outlets they make 1 AC plug + cat 5 jacks. From there you can just run the cable to your basement/wherever your routing equipment is. Alternatively its perfectly safe to remove a cover panel, drill a hole in it and run a cable through that way. (This is actually what a lot of cable companies do for their installation. Ghetto as hell)

[QUOTE=Zephyrs;37807481]Food for thought. Depending on how much insulation you have (interior walls are generally better for this), its often possible to just put in a wall socket and drop a cable two or even three stories straight down the the basement. Takes a bit of work, and some patience for when something invariably gets stuck, but it does make things nice and neat. If you have extra outlets they make 1 AC plug + cat 5 jacks. From there you can just run the cable to your basement/wherever your routing equipment is. Alternatively its perfectly safe to remove a cover panel, drill a hole in it and run a cable through that way. (This is actually what a lot of cable companies do for their installation. Ghetto as hell)[/QUOTE] Actually that gives me an idea that the OP could use. Ethernet over mains - You basically plug one into a socket near the router, and one in by your PC. You connect the router side one to the router with a short ethernet cable, and the PC side one to your PC with a short ethernet cable. It's basically exactly the same as a wired connection, except the wiring is already preinstalled in your house because it's just passing the signals over the mains. I know this is available in the UK, no idea if it's possible in the US. Here's a UK example - [url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA211KIT-200Mbps-Powerline-Ethernet/dp/B004INVKP4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348672929&sr=8-1[/url]

It can be done in the US, but it involves investing in some strange equipment as I recall.

[QUOTE=Zephyrs;37807481]Food for thought. Depending on how much insulation you have (interior walls are generally better for this), its often possible to just put in a wall socket and drop a cable two or even three stories straight down the the basement. Takes a bit of work, and some patience for when something invariably gets stuck, but it does make things nice and neat. If you have extra outlets they make 1 AC plug + cat 5 jacks. From there you can just run the cable to your basement/wherever your routing equipment is. Alternatively its perfectly safe to remove a cover panel, drill a hole in it and run a cable through that way. (This is actually what a lot of cable companies do for their installation. Ghetto as hell)[/QUOTE] I wish I could do that and it was my first thought since the router is in the room below me on the first floor. Unfortunately I cannot make any changes to my condo that may damage the integrity of the housing, minus painting/hanging things. However, the loophole to this is if I hire a company that has been approved by my landlord, then they can come in and make structural changes to the place. Very good idea though Zephyrs, just one I cannot put into action.

It's nothing structural. Just putting in a box and coverplate and running a wire. Call the landlord and ask. Worst case is that he says no. If he says yes, for fucks sake get it in writing. You would not be the first person screwed out of a security deposit.

[QUOTE=Zephyrs;37807792]Call the landlord and ask. Worst case is that he says no. If he says yes, for fucks sake get it in writing. You would not be the first person screwed out of a security deposit.[/QUOTE] Haha true statement right there. Although I am not too worried about the security deposit since I went through an independent escrow agent so I can't be screwed out of it very easily. Yeah, I'll probably drop them a call later today, see if this in any way breaches my contract.

[QUOTE=Jallen;37807653]Actually that gives me an idea that the OP could use. Ethernet over mains - You basically plug one into a socket near the router, and one in by your PC. You connect the router side one to the router with a short ethernet cable, and the PC side one to your PC with a short ethernet cable. It's basically exactly the same as a wired connection, except the wiring is already preinstalled in your house because it's just passing the signals over the mains. I know this is available in the UK, no idea if it's possible in the US. Here's a UK example - [url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA211KIT-200Mbps-Powerline-Ethernet/dp/B004INVKP4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348672929&sr=8-1[/url][/QUOTE] It's nowhere near as good as a wired connection. Ethernet cables are designed to help prevent interference, mains cables are not.

I would just pay the $50 for the cable

[QUOTE=mark6789;37811015]I would just pay the $50 for the cable[/QUOTE] It's 50 for the base installation. They probably aren't going to run an ethernet cable for him. They might not even be willing to put the modem where he wants it. Hell my friend couldn't get his cable company to run the actual cable to the other side of his house through his basement. 3 rooms away from where they had the TV. They also mandated that a trained technician did the installation (it was free, I don't understand what they gained by this), and he just let them install it and then moved everything himself.

[QUOTE=1solidsnake2;37810979]It's nowhere near as good as a wired connection. Ethernet cables are designed to help prevent interference, mains cables are not.[/QUOTE] Theoretically it may be less ideal than a plain ethernet cable, but if you were asked to use a computer 10 times, and each someone would randomly change it to ethernet or mains, would you be able to tell the difference? Unless you are using it across opposite ends of a mansion, the effect of any interference would be negligible and would have no practical impact.

[QUOTE=Jallen;37817373]Theoretically it may be less ideal than a plain ethernet cable, but if you were asked to use a computer 10 times, and each someone would randomly change it to ethernet or mains, would you be able to tell the difference? Unless you are using it across opposite ends of a mansion, the effect of any interference would be negligible and would have no practical impact.[/QUOTE] You still would, it also depends on what's plugged in, things like refrigerators and washing machines can pump out a dirty signal over the mains.

I can vouch for Ethernet over mains with the plugs, used them for ages and never had any problems. I'm in Scotland though so I don't know if you might have to worry about shoddy wiring or anything.