I’m looking to upgrade my PC, and hoped to utilize integrated motherboard Wi-Fi. I know many of you will prefer ethernet, but unfortunately that isn’t an option for me.

I’ve read (and experienced) issues with Realtek Wi-Fi chipsets in the past, and heard that the Intel Wi-Fi chipset had better compatibility. But I’m struggling to find many options. Some boards don’t seem to specify (unless I’m misreading the specifications on their websites). And some, like Gigabyte, supported Intel Wi-Fi with some revisions but no longer do with the most recent. (see Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX, v1.0-1.2 use Intel Wi-Fi.

I’m not seeing stores specify the revision being sold, otherwise I’d consider that board.

Does anyone have recommendations on a good AM5 motherboard whose Wi-Fi plays well with Linux? Or do you all use any other solutions like Wi-Fi adapters? Also I’m planning on running Pop! OS.

  • ghoultek@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    What is the benefit of an E-key slot on a mobo vs a M or B key slot for storage? WLAN speeds still aren’t going match or eclipse wired Ethernet speeds. So my point that I did not elaborate on is the circuitry budget and space, and the PCI express lands that would be allotted to an E-key slot would be better suited toward and M or B key slot for storage. Think in terms of 3x M.2 storage slots would be better than 2x M.2 storage and 1x A or E key slots for WiFi/Bluetooth. There are rather limited uses for an A or E key slot beyond Wifi and Bluetooth.

    Motherboards with onboard 1 or 2.5GB ethernet, Wifi 6AX or 6E are common enough and relatively cheap. Those that have ethernet and WiFi onboard tend to have bluetooth as well. One doesn’t necessarily have to buy a $400 enthusiast board (which is what I have).

    Here is an example ( https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/tuf-gaming/tuf-gaming-b650-plus-wifi/techspec/ ). Current lowest price is $199 US according to PCPartPicker.com. It has Wifi 6AX not 6E. For common uses 6AX is fine. However, if one is going the twitch streamer route they may want a 6E router and 6E wifi hardware on their PC.

    Its good that there are options such as the A and E key slots and boards but I don’t see a greater value in them with regular PCI cards and hardware that will make use of USB slots that are already very fast.

    • tehfreek@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Soldering the wifi chipset to the board doesn’t free up any PCIe channels that were going to be allocated to the M.2 slot; they still need to be used to connect to the wifi chipset.