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Forum Discussion
Upgrading Router; Should I Upgrade WiFi Card?
Looking at various router options. Right now I'm leaning towards the RAX40. Two primary devices are a pair of laptops, two Dell XPS13 models. One has a Killer 1535 wifi card; the other an Intel AC...
I see on Intel's site they offer two versions of their wifi 6 card: AX200 and AX201. What's the difference? I'm guessing the 200 is the correct card for my laptops, (Dell XPS13, models 9350 and 9360)?
On Ebay they are half the cost of the Killer card, but I've always been skeptical about buying crap from sellers, especially when they are shipping from China. Are they knock offs or the real item? And why is it these cards aren't available from any known websites or retailers?
The AX201 is functionally the same as the AX200 except that the AX200 is a full RF+WiFi chipset solution like a standard card. The AX201 is just an RF module with the Intel CPU (need latest gen CPU) acting as the WiFi chipset. This just like the Intel 9260ac and 9560ac.
I would buy the AX200. Just look at sellers with 100s if not thousands of ratings they’re usually pretty reliable. I got two on eBay for like $19, I got 2 AX1650 earlier on Amazon for $35 as well because the unbranded Intel version want out yet at the time, but considering I don’t use the atrocious Killer QoS Software in the end it’s effectively just a more expensive Intel AX200.
I would buy the AX200. Just look at sellers with 100s if not thousands of ratings they’re usually pretty reliable. I got two on eBay for like $19, I got 2 AX1650 earlier on Amazon for $35 as well because the unbranded Intel version want out yet at the time, but considering I don’t use the atrocious Killer QoS Software in the end it’s effectively just a more expensive Intel AX200.
- Usually those on eBay are just side sales from coming directly from Intel’s contracted manufacturers.
Thanks for the input. You've convinced me to go with the Intel card, and I see several sellers on Ebay with multiple thousands of favorable reviews. Looks like I can buy two cards for about $30. The Killer is $35/each.