The other day I took a look at the Siig Wireless-N USB adapter, today I have the PCI version of it simply called the DP Wireless-N PCI Adapter. It’s very similar in the features it has like the ability to be an access point and it includes the same useful software. USB dongle style adapters are nice, but when you want a more permanent solution you’ll opt for one that goes in your computer like the one I have today for review.
Specifications:
Easily add 802.11n high speed wireless to your desktop computer
Part #: CN-WR0312-S1
Features:
* Dual profile wireless-N PCI card – fits into full height or low profile systems
* Compliant with IEEE 802.11n draft 2.0, IEEE 802.11b/g standards
* Great for digital home entertainment, HD Video streaming, and VoIP
* Wider coverage and maximum throughput via MIMO technology
* Dual external antenna with 1T2R feature enhances data throughput with increased transmitting range for all compatible legacy bands (802.11 b/g)
* Special Access Point feature
Specs:
* Supports 32-bit PCI slot
* 300Mb/s Receiving PHY Rate and 150Mbs transmitting PHY Rate
* Operating frequency: 2.4GHz
* Supports QoS-WMM, WMM-PS
* Supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2
* Supports WPS (WiFi Protected Setup)
* Supports Cisco CCX
* Dimension: 6" x 4.75" x 0.75" (with full height bracket)
MSRP: $69.99
Unboxing:
The Siig Wireless-N PCI Adapter comes in a nice little attractive box.
Inside you’ll find the PCI adapter itself in an anti-static bag. You’ll also find a brief instruction guide and driver/software disc.
When you open the bag you’ll find the card itself and two antennas.
It’s your standard PCI card, it has the Siig logo on it with what it is.
On the PCI bracket side you’ll find two places for the antennas to be attached, a WPS button and LEDs.
Installation, Performance, Comparison
Here’s the card with the antennas attached, but you really can’t install it in your system with them on.
The first thing you need to do is install the PCI adapter in a free PCI slot. I tried to get a picture of it for you, but the angle is difficult:
Here it is from the back side, or the antenna side. Not really much to look at with the VGA/DVI adapter in the way and the rest of the cables.
Installation is easy, just pop in the disc and load up the setup program, it will install the software and drivers for you.
If you read my review of the Siig Wireless-N USB Adapter, then the following screen shots will look very familiar. The interface is identical, and it works in most the same way.
On the first screen of the interface you’ll see the available networks with strength shown and which wireless version they’re using.
The interface can be expanded to show you the signal strength, link quality etc. of the network you’re connected to. I like the visual look of it really.
The interface allows you to create profiles so you can save your commonly used one for automatic access to them.
The other screen show you more information and allow you to change settings, and even help to set up your own access point. Yes, like the USB version, you can use the PCI adapter as an access point to allow others to connect to you.
I’ve been using an 802.11G USB dongle with this computer for some time now, so I figured why not compare the two. the computer is setup in the adjoining room, about 25 feet away on the other side of a wall.
I used the Wireless Benchmark Test from SiSoft Sandra 2010.
Here’s the test results from the USB G Dongle in detail:
Benchmark Results
Data Bandwidth : 2.63MB/s
Results Interpretation : Higher index values are better.
Data Latency : 4.5ms
Results Interpretation : Lower index values are better.
Performance vs. Speed
Data Bandwidth : 0.050kB/s/kbps
Results Interpretation : Higher index values are better.
Data Latency : 0.083µs/kbps
Results Interpretation : Lower index values are better.
Network Adapter
Name : Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter
Physical Type : 802.11g (ERP)
Encryption : AES-CCMP
Signal Quality : 80%
Download Rate : 54Mbps
Upload Rate : 54Mbps
Detailed Benchmark Results
Result ID : Realtek RTL8187B Wireless 802.11b/g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter (802.11g (ERP), AES-CCMP, 54Mbps)
Platform Compliance : x86
Average Latency : 4.5ms
Min/Max Latency : 786µs – 138.17ms
Speed : 2.63MB/s
Current Data Transfer Rate : 22Mbps
Bandwidth Efficiency : 40.90%
Then here’s the results of the Siig Wireless-N PCI Adapter in detail also:
Benchmark Results
Data Bandwidth : 4.11MB/s
Results Interpretation : Higher index values are better.
Data Latency : 1ms
Results Interpretation : Lower index values are better.
Performance vs. Speed
Data Bandwidth : 0.078kB/s/kbps
Results Interpretation : Higher index values are better.
Data Latency : 0.020µs/kbps
Results Interpretation : Lower index values are better.
Network Adapter
Name : 802.11n Wireless LAN Card
Physical Type : 802.11g (ERP)
Encryption : AES-CCMP
Signal Quality : 94%
Download Rate : 54Mbps
Upload Rate : 54Mbps
Detailed Benchmark Results
Result ID : 802.11n Wireless LAN Card (802.11g (ERP), AES-CCMP, 54Mbps)
Platform Compliance : x86
Average Latency : 1ms
Min/Max Latency : 729µs – 3.7ms
Speed : 4.11MB/s
Current Data Transfer Rate : 34.49Mbps
Bandwidth Efficiency : 63.87%
The main thing to look at is the benchmark results.
The G Dongle gave me Data Bandwidth : 2.63MB/s, while the Wireless-N Card gave me Data Bandwidth : 4.11MB/s. Not exactly double in speed, but it’s faster, and I’ll take it.
Conclusion:
The Siig DP Wireless-N PCI Adapter works well for my needs. A USB dongle is nice because you can move it from one computer to another, but if you don’t have that need then the best bet is to go with an internal one.
This one from Siig works fine, and the included software is helpful and easy to use. The fact that it can be an access point is nice, it’s adds a little more functionality to it.
The card comes with common security standards, and I had no issues with it connecting to my router.
Yes the speeds may seem low, but that’s partially because I’m using mixed mode G and N. To achieve full speeds you must use only N, but not all my devices are equipped for N yet, so I have to use G as well. My children’s computer is hooked up wirelessly with G and my netbooks only has G in it, so I have to use mixed mode until I update those.
The idea here was to show what you can expect with this adapter on a mixed network and I think most people are using mixed modes. Since N is here, it’s still not a standard yet, so it’s going to be a long time before everything is fully converted over to the N standard.
Pros:
+Simple and easy installation
+Decent speeds on mixed network
+Seems well made
+Useful software included
+Can be an access point
Cons:
-None really
Ratings
Overall: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Aesthetic: 5 out of 5
Build Quality: 5 out of 5
Disclosure: http://www.bonafidereviews.com/disclosure-policy/
