Matching Belkin N Router and NIC

NC Dave · 10-05-2009, 02:15 PM

I bought my wife a new Dell Studio 1535 laptop, which came with an internal Dell 1397 G WLAN card. However, connections with our Netgear 624 G router are spotty at the far end of the house, so I have a Belkin F5D8233-4 N wireless router on its way. I want to find the best possible matching NIC for this new router, preferably staying within the Belkin line to minimize conflicts. It appears the B5D8001 N1 card may be the strongest (and most expensive), but since I won't be running an N1 router, that may be overspending for features I can't tap into. The only other Belkin N card I've seen is the F5D8013. Would this be a good match, the best match, or a match not at all? Is there a better Belkin card out there to match up with their 8233 router? Also, I have a wireless Dell desktop downstairs. Although it doesn't appear to be having any problems even now with the G signal and I would imagine the same or better results with the N signal, what would be the best Belkin desktop N adapter for it should we decide to ramp up its connection speed? Thanks.

ebackhus · 10-07-2009, 03:00 PM

If the laptop had/has N capability I'd use that. Otherwise a signal range booster or a repeater would be a great way to get a better signal.

johnwill · 10-09-2009, 01:39 PM

Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products.

Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power.

Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a some examples.

Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna

Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna

[HAO14SD] Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit

For 802.11n applications, this ZyXEL ANT1106 6db omni-directional antenna can be used.

For really long range outdoor applications, this 24dB parabolic WiFi Antenna may be a good choice.

If you have a wireless adapter that doesn't have provisions for an external antenna, one adapter that I've had good luck with is a Rosewill RNX-G1 USB Wireless Adapter. It's feature is that is has a removable antenna and will accommodate replacement antennas.

This is just a sample of available products, many people have hi-gain antennas with similar specifications, but I haven't seen any other suppliers of signal boosters.

NC Dave · 10-10-2009, 09:34 AM

Thanks, mods, for all of the suggestions, but I already have the Belkin wireless N router. Therefore, I'm thinking my next step would be to get a matching Belkin N notebook card to minimize the conflicts that sometimes occur between products of different brands, would it not? It that logic is correct, than which of the Belkin cards is my best choice? The laptop has an expresscard slot, so I'm guessing that the F5D8073 N expresscard adapter would be the optimum choice. If my thoughts on conflicts are unfounded, than is there a better expresscard choice? I'm open to any and all of your educated opinions. Thanks again.

10-05-2009, 02:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
NC Dave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp, sp3	Matching Belkin N Router and NIC I bought my wife a new Dell Studio 1535 laptop, which came with an internal Dell 1397 G WLAN card. However, connections with our Netgear 624 G router are spotty at the far end of the house, so I have a Belkin F5D8233-4 N wireless router on its way. I want to find the best possible matching NIC for this new router, preferably staying within the Belkin line to minimize conflicts. It appears the B5D8001 N1 card may be the strongest (and most expensive), but since I won't be running an N1 router, that may be overspending for features I can't tap into. The only other Belkin N card I've seen is the F5D8013. Would this be a good match, the best match, or a match not at all? Is there a better Belkin card out there to match up with their 8233 router? Also, I have a wireless Dell desktop downstairs. Although it doesn't appear to be having any problems even now with the G signal and I would imagine the same or better results with the N signal, what would be the best Belkin desktop N adapter for it should we decide to ramp up its connection speed? Thanks.

10-07-2009, 03:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,223 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Matching Belkin N Router and NIC If the laptop had/has N capability I'd use that. Otherwise a signal range booster or a repeater would be a great way to get a better signal. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-09-2009, 01:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,546 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Matching Belkin N Router and NIC Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products. Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power. Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a some examples. Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna [HAO14SD] Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit For 802.11n applications, this ZyXEL ANT1106 6db omni-directional antenna can be used. For really long range outdoor applications, this 24dB parabolic WiFi Antenna may be a good choice. If you have a wireless adapter that doesn't have provisions for an external antenna, one adapter that I've had good luck with is a Rosewill RNX-G1 USB Wireless Adapter. It's feature is that is has a removable antenna and will accommodate replacement antennas. This is just a sample of available products, many people have hi-gain antennas with similar specifications, but I haven't seen any other suppliers of signal boosters. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-10-2009, 09:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
NC Dave Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp, sp3	Re: Matching Belkin N Router and NIC Thanks, mods, for all of the suggestions, but I already have the Belkin wireless N router. Therefore, I'm thinking my next step would be to get a matching Belkin N notebook card to minimize the conflicts that sometimes occur between products of different brands, would it not? It that logic is correct, than which of the Belkin cards is my best choice? The laptop has an expresscard slot, so I'm guessing that the F5D8073 N expresscard adapter would be the optimum choice. If my thoughts on conflicts are unfounded, than is there a better expresscard choice? I'm open to any and all of your educated opinions. Thanks again.