Wireless Adpater question-product recommendation

[velillen]

So basically i will show my problem and if someone has a suggestion than i can try that. if no real suggestion then its time for a production recommendation!

First off everything connections via Linksys WRT400N router.For reference (in regards to problem) my Asus EeePC can connect at 54Mbps with either excellent or very good signal strength even when right next to my desktop. Even sitting right next to the desktop (on top of the desk though) it can get 800-900kBps when downloading. The wireless is only used for internet, no streaming or anything like that.

now the questions/problem. my desktop has an older linksys wireless-G "speedboost" pci adapter. It only gets very low signal strength. With the antenna point vertical it could only get connected speeds of 11mbps. Turning it horizontal i was able to get to 36mbps. Still only very low signal no matter what position. Download speed wise really fluctuates. Sometimes it does well and get the 800-900kbps (semi rare) it normally gets 300-400kbps. I have updated to latest drivers and all.

Thanks for any advice/recommendations

Witht hat in mind is there anything else to try to get better signal strength/speed?

I am thinking not so i was considering just getting a new card. Wireless-N for sure. I am thinking a usb might be the best since i can put it on top of my desk. Most dont seem to come with a usb cord though, so any disadvantage to using a usb cord with them? Any suggestions as to which one to get? Seems like even wireless N ones range from 30 bucks to 70-80bucks so not sure which one is really the best?

 

[mfenn]

You could try buying a higher-gain antenna for the PCI card. I would recommend running a cable to the router if at all possible.

 

[velillen]

i did look at the high gain antenna's before, forgot to mention that. And all i found were pretty much in the 30-50 dollar range which at the price seems like might as well get a wireless-N usb adapter in my opinion. Especially since theres no way to know if it will really improve signal strength from under the desk to me at least.

Cable is out as the router is 2 floors up and well not interested in that route.

 

[mfenn]

i did look at the high gain antenna's before, forgot to mention that. And all i found were pretty much in the 30-50 dollar range which at the price seems like might as well get a wireless-N usb adapter in my opinion. Especially since theres no way to know if it will really improve signal strength from under the desk to me at least.

Cable is out as the router is 2 floors up and well not interested in that route.

There are a bunch here. Make sure you buy one with the right kind of connector (being a Linksys, it is probably an RP-TNC but double-check).

 

[dbcooper1]

Have you considered something like these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-259-_-Product

 

[velillen]

Have you considered something like these?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-259-_-Product

i very briefly looked into one but just lost interest. Didnt really see any that worked perfectly. That and only have one powerline by the router and it has a phone so would have to buy an adapter for that right off the bat.

The antenna's seem to be around 20 bucks still (the ones with the cable to put the antenna above desk) I just dont know if a normal antenna would help that much where the pc is located so really looking to put it above the desk.

Think ive pretty much talked myself into buying a new adapter to be honest lol. Not worried about the money deal and everything else is wireless N in the house so guess i hsould just get this pc up to date too. Thanks for all the suggestions though!