MSI Wireless G PCI Cards

Leonardo

MSI has entered the networking cards market. (Maybe they were there before and I just didn't know it.) I’ve used Microstar International (MSI) motherboards in the past and was impressed with their high quality and stability. It recently came to my attention that MSI had wireless PCI cards available. Having recently switched two of my networked home computers from Ethernet to wireless, I needed a couple cards. (The wireless USB adapters’ on the two reconfigured computers just didn’t make the grade – poor signal strength and unreliable network connectivity.) So, I just purchased two of these MSI PC60G wireless PCI networking cards. To sum up my impression with the MSI cards: They are very, very good.
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They hold a network connection as well or better than any wireless card I've used - Linksys, Netgear, or D-Link. I think they are every bit as good as the Linksys WMP54G wireless B/G cards I have, but at 1/3 the price. Yes, one-third is not a typo. They outperform the D-Link wireless PCI card I had and completely eclipsed the Netgear card I used. Another plus is that the drivers/software for the MSI was the easiest installation I've done with network adapters of any type, PCI or USB external. No useless add-on software and user decisions that have to be made in a split second, such as choosing between Windows Wireless Zero Configuration or the card's proprietary management software. I much prefer Wireless Zero Config and do not like proprietary card-specific network management. Right at the beginning of the installation, the software lets you select which configuration you prefer. Why can't networking drivers always be this easy to install?

The cards do not have card-mounted antennae (that's antennas for all you who think the plural form "antennae" is quaint and elitist). The antennae are connected via sheathed, copper cables that attach where most cards’ antennae would connect. The cable is only about 18 inches long, which means the antenna will need to rest on top of the computer if the case is under your desk. But that makes perfect sense. Why hide an antenna behind a metal device? I now wish that my other home computers had remote antennae! Signal strength and transmission reliability is excellent - superior to most or all card antennas I've seen. Channel lock-on is very good and these cards hang on to the network connection like an alligator.

Rarely am I as enthusiastic about a computer upgrade as I am with this card purchase.

I heartily recommend the MSI PC60G for wireless G/B networking. $17.99 - Newegg rocks! The low price makes me wonder if this is just an introductory price to get MSI’s foot in the door of the home and small office wireless networking market. If this is an indication of more MSI networking products to come, watch out! If they bring out more components of this quality and simplicity of installation, MSI will be a major networking devices contender.

I strongly recommend these wireless cards. At $17.99 you cannot do better. A good quality Linksys card would cost three times as much.
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+ Good quality
+ Excellent performance
+ Easiest wireless PCI card software/drivers installation I’ve seen
+ Price<o></o>

- would prefer more settings in the card’s advanced properties (very minor criticism)
- I didn't buy a couple more for the parts bin

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9.5 out of 10 LeoPoints

mtrox

Nice post Leo. Interesting review. At $18 you gotta wonder if they're just trying to get some out there before they start charging the "real" price.

CB

Does anyone know: If I wanted to make that antennae cable longer, could I just splice some old coax cable into the middle of it?

mtrox

CB Droege wrote:

Does anyone know: If I wanted to make that antennae cable longer, could I just splice some old coax cable into the middle of it?

No. RWB will swoop in knowing the exact number, but you loose something like 1dB for ever meter of cable on the antenna. That's why Leo's MSI card only has an 18 inch cable. A splice/connection would only increase the loss.

CB

I know I would loose signal, but would it actually work... are the technologies compatible?

Leonardo

Who knows? I don't. Look, you will already most certainly get better signal strength and speed with the antenna on top of the case rather than stuck right behind it. Why the need to extend the cable further?

CB

The computer in question is in the basement. I want to run the antenna up the stairs.

I have like 150ft of spare coax just sitting around in my basement, and the cables that are meant for extending the antenna cable are super expensive (for cable).

The cables are constructed exactly the same. the coax is just thicker. It looks to me like it should be compatible.

NiGHTS

Be sure to use the Icrontic link to newegg.com if you're planning on picking one of these up!

Leonardo

CB, you could just get a repeater to mount at the top of stair well. But if you are determined to try modifying the antenna/cable, your loss would only be $17.99. Maybe you should just order two cards: one for the modification, and one to use when the modification gives you no signal strength.

Hey look, here's what you need. It's a stand-alone antenna that has a standard connector for wireless cards. At $5.99, it wouldn't be too expensive to mod and risk the failure. It will mount to any wireless card (just as will the antenna with MSI card kit).

Something else to consider is an Ethernet-wireless bridge. They are made for applications such as you have: run Ethernet cable from your computer to a location where radio reception is good. At that point deploy the bridge and connect your Ethernet cable.