I need to put a wireless networking card into my pc because the arrangement of my home doesnt allow for any other options. I was planning on this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320074 but I would like to know of any other options that might be good. Also can someone explain powerline networking to me please?
That one is perfectly fine, although I do prefer the Intel Centrino powered one as it essentially has MIMO technology and lets you stick the antenna somewhere not immediately behind your computer. It's also about the same price.
From what I've read, the Powerline Networking basically turns your entire home power system into a network by creating a set of subfraquencies within the current and using those to transmit power. It essentially functions similarly to how DSL works without interrupting the phone line. In this case, it just uses the one powered line for your AC current. So you plug in the hub from something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122329
And then you plug in the adjoining node and you plug a computer into the hub and install all the software, then you can just plug your CAT5 cable into the hub, connect your computer in question to the node and be on your way. You can add subsequent nodes later if you desired by plugging them into any other outlet.
It is inherently more stable than wireless internet, but the cost of adding nodes to gain access can be a touch expensive.
Hmmm... Seems powerline doesn't fit my needs much. I think ill stick with network cards. Speaking of, those Intel Centrino networking cards do seem better than the Asus I was planning on. I think ill go with one of those instead.
So, one last question. Is single channel good enough for heavy gaming? A La this card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106136
Or do I need dual channel? Like this card has:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106135