If you are here, we are pretty sure that you are a computer gaming enthusiast and are looking out for enhancing your real time gaming experience. Moreover, in this lockdown, when going outdoors is not safe, a better gaming experience can definitely aid you in eliminating the element of boredom and monotony from your daily life. For that, choosing to go with the best network card for gaming can surely aid you in providing you with a great deal of real time gaming experience. Apart from that, network cards also help you to provide you with the best and the most out of your existing network. It enhances the speed of your network and gives you a better video streaming and eliminates any unnecessary lags that adversely impact your gaming experience.
This article is going to give you a clear and detailed idea about the best network card for gaming. We have presented before you a list of network cards that can not only serve you in accordance with your needs and requirements but at the same time, they can also prove to be budget-friendly to you. The network cards for gaming that we are going to talk about in this article also provide safety and security to your network and are compatible with popular operating systems. If you have reached here, we promise to guide you well in buying your next best network card for a really enriching gaming experience.
What are the benefits that you can avail by using a network card for a gaming system?
If you equip your network card with an Ethernet adapter, it provides you a great connection between your computer system and a wired network. If you are much aware of the latest and modern gaming consoles, they always tend to require a connection that is characterized by reliability, ease and quickness. Such features are not provided by the basic computer systems. Some other benefits that are offered by a network card for the gaming system are as follows:
A network card provides you with a reliable connection
When you connect your computer system to a network card, you can avail the benefits that can offer you great reliability. A network card also aids in eliminating unnecessary interferences that are caused by wireless routers and cordless phones.
A network card aids in boosting speed
When it comes to online gaming, it tends to require a network card that can aid it in establishing a quicker connection to the internet. Buying a gigabit network card can surely boost up your existing speed to 1 Gbps. One of the most renowned features of a network card is that its speed remains consistent irrespective of its wires that tend to go through walls or floors.
A network card provides your system with greater security
If you are an avid gamer, you must be well aware of the frustration that can get caused if your system stops for a few seconds, as it can adversely hamper your game progress. Along with eliminating the chances of such occurrences, a network card also aids in providing greater security to your system.
Best Network Card for Gaming Reviews
Out of the numerous network cards that are available in today’s market scenario, we have made a list of top 10 network cards that can surely fulfill your needs and requirements. They are manufactured from the top-most brands and also come at budget-friendly prices. Let’s have a look at them.
1. TP-Link WiFi 6 AX3000 PCIe WiFi card
This network card comes up with the WiFi 6 technology that is powered by INTEL. It provides you with enormous speed, uninterrupted connectivity as well as ultra-low latency. This unit is designed specifically to provide you with excellent performance even in the cases of the busiest networks. It can easily reach speeds of up to 2.4 Gbps. Its OFDMA technology aids in providing you with ultra-responsive, real-time gaming by reducing the unnecessary lag. This unit features two multi-directional antennas that provide you with great performance. It also has a magnetized base that allows you to extend your Wi-Fi reception capabilities. You can place this magnetized base anywhere on your desktop which can enable you to get the best location for the reception of the signal.
Pros
- This unit aids in eliminating the occurrences of unnecessary lags.
- This unit facilitates ease in getting a broader coverage with its multi-directional antennas.
- Its Bluetooth 5.0 technology provides you with 2 times greater speeds and 4 times broader coverage.
- You can easily connect many devices including game controllers, keyboards and headphones to this unit.
Cons
- At times this unit can be unable to access the card.
- This unit at times can also exhibit some driver issues.
2. Unit AX WiFi 6 dual band 2974 MBPS AX200 PCIE wireless WiFi card with Bluetooth 5.0
Some of the most important features that come up with this unit include its modified 5.0 Bluetooth version and 2.4 Gbps of maximum speed. Its NextGen speed which can reach up to 2.4 Gbps aids in minimizing the lag which allows you to enjoy ultra-responsive real-time gaming along with video call or an immersive VR experience. To provide you with a wireless data connectivity between your computer and Bluetooth enabled devices including the speaker, cellphone, mouse, headphones etc., this unit comes up with a 5.0 Bluetooth version that provides better productivity, seamless connectivity and an uninterrupted workflow. Its advanced encryption protects your high-speed WiFi from malware and hackers with its advanced 64-bit and 128-bit WEP, TKIP, 128-bit AES-CCMP and 256-bit AES-GCMP encryption.
Pros
- This unit provides your system protection from hackers and malware.
- This unit provides you with faster connections even in denser environments.
- This unit eliminates network lag that enables you to enjoy a great VR experience and a video call apart from real-time gaming.
Cons
- Its installation can get a bit problematic owing to its long bracket.
3. TP-Link AC1300 PCIe Wireless WiFi PCIe card
The most promising feature of this product is its lightning-fast speed. With this unit, you can easily get your WiFi card upgraded to 867 Mbps over 5G hertz or 400 Mbps over 2.4G hertz. Its unique heat sink technology distributes the heat away from core components that improve its performance and reliability. It aids in supporting high-performance computing that includes 4K ultra HD video streaming and online gaming as well. Its 2x external antennas ensure a greater range of Wi-Fi connection and stability and provide you with an enhanced wireless range. It comes up with a 2-year warranty and 24/7 free technical support.
Pros
- This unit provides you with a great range ensuring greater stability and Wi-Fi connection.
- Its heat sink technology aids in improving reliability and performance.
- This unit provides you with a great speed and avoids unnecessary lags and interferences.
Cons
- There have been complaints about the customer support of this unit.
- This unit has a lengthy installation process.
4. EDUP PCIe WiFi 6 card Bluetooth 5.0 AX 3000 Mbps wireless WiFi network adapter card
This unit aids in delivering up higher peak data rates. It exhibits four times greater capacity in dense or congested working environments. This unit features a WiFi 6 card with Bluetooth 5.0 adapter. It aids in supporting OFDMA along with AX MU-MIMO technology. It also supports in connecting up more devices as per your convenience. Its high gain antennas work together in synchronization to get your WiFi adapted accordingly. It also helps in focussing signal strength to the devices for facilitating a stronger and reliable coverage. This unit is 100% compatible with OS Windows 10 64-bit for desktop. It can easily boost up your WiFi speeds up to 3000 Mbps.
Pros
- This unit boosts up your WiFi speed up to 3000 Mbps.
- Along with providing you with online gaming services, this unit also aids to provide you with 4K Ultra HD video streaming.
- This unit can easily get connected to Bluetooth devices like mouse, earphone and keyboard.
Cons
- This unit might encounter problems with Bluetooth headphones.
- This unit also hangs up at times.
5. Cudy WE3000 AX 3000 Mbps wireless WiFi 6 PCIe card
If you are looking out for faster and clearer Wi-Fi connectivity to fully utilize the potential of your WiFi 6 router, then this unit can provide you with the best services. Its 2.4 GHz provides you with 574 Mbps of maximum speed and an excessively long-range as well. This unit can be the best choice for online gaming and 4k streaming. With the enhancements in its security features, this unit aids in providing you with a more secure, safe and individualized encryption. It provides you with personal password safety and it also protects your network from the adverse effects of wireless hacking. With its OFDMA technology, it reduces network lag by 75%. This feature provides you with a real-time gaming experience like never before.
Pros
- This unit aids in protecting your system from wireless hacking.
- It boosts up your WiFi speed and connectivity.
- It is completely compatible with Bluetooth 5.0/4.2/4.0 devices.
- This unit has a greater bandwidth.
- This unit facilitates ease in its installation.
Cons
- This unit might not work with some Windows 10 32 bit machines.
What exactly to look out for in the best network card for gaming? Buying guide
Having an apt amount of information about the latest games that are out in the market is definitely not enough while you lookout to buy the best network card for gaming. There are numerous factors too that are involved in this which you need to consider while buying the best network card for gaming. Keeping these factors into consideration assures that you always make the best and the most satisfying deal. Let’s have a look at those factors:-
Rate of transmission
There are numerous network cards that are available in the market and they differ severely on the basis of their respective rates of transmission. This rate may range from as low as 10 Mbps to as high as 10 Gbps. Going with the rule of thumb, choosing to go with the network card that features a high rate of transmission proves to be beneficial in the long run. But if we really study about it in detail, we would be concluding that a network card with a transmission rate of 1 Gbps would not work effectively in a system having 100 Mbps twisted pair. You should always choose to go with a network card whose transmission rate shares compatibility with the twisted pairs of your respective computer system. If you do not focus on this factor, you may end up wasting your resources on a new network card.
Type of connector
When it comes to the usage in network card, types of connectors are classified into three kinds, namely, AUI port, BNC port and RJ-45 port. There are certain connectors that can serve you in providing you with two ports on the cards at the same time. On the other hand, there are certain types of connectors that can even let you use three ports simultaneously. Talking specifically of the BNC connector, it finds its application in the case of thin coaxial cable. On the contrary, AUI connectors are used with thick coaxial cable. If you are having unshielded twisted pairs, you can choose to go with RJ-45 port. So basically, your selection is dependent upon your respective computer system.
Compatibility
When you choose to buy a network card for gaming, you need to be extremely cautious about its compatibility with your system. You must keep this thing in mind that every network card is not going to work with the different types of computer systems. Although a large proportion of network cards work well with Microsoft Windows, they might not work well with operating systems of Apple and Linux. You must ensure that the model for which you are shopping for is appropriately compatible with your respective computer interface. It should be totally compatible with your respective system.
High level of signal strength
A network card that has the capacity to provide you with a high level of signal strength can undoubtedly be a great choice for you. Your network card should be able to receive signals from the router. Covering the area of your desktop is also an important factor that can influence your buying decisions. Choosing to go out with adapters having powerful antennas which enable the network card to receive better signals from the routers can serve you equally well.
Single-band or dual-band
If you are confused about whether you should choose to go with a single band or dual band network card, then we will suggest you to always go with the latter one. A dual-band network card facilitates ease in switching between band speeds ranging between 5 GHz and 2 GHz. When it comes to high end gaming, dual-band network cards can provide you with a greater service. On the contrary, single-band Network Card is apt to be used for downloading pictures, photographs and video streaming.
Bandwidth and speed of data transfer
There are certain network cards available in the market that have an average speed of data transfer that is around 300 Mbps in 2.4GHz band. There are certain other cards that provide you with 2100 Mbps in the 5GHz band and 100 Mbps in 2.4GHz band. For general users, dual-band cards having a combined speed of 1300 Mbps works pretty fine. In case, you are a hardcore gamer or streamer, you might need a rate of around 3000 Mbps.
Number of antennas
In order to ensure that your device receives proper signals, the number of antennas in the network card is an essential component to consider. In order to provide you with a better coverage of signals, network cards having more antennas facilitate enhanced wireless connection as they can be easily positioned in different directions.
Compatible operating systems
Although, most of the network cards that are available in the market today are compatible with various operating systems, it must be kept in mind that they seldom support all the versions of a particular operating system. In such a case, you must do research on your part to ensure that the network card you are going for is compatible with your OS or not.
Cooling properties
You must be well aware that you should always choose to go up with a PC or any of its components that do not get heated easily. You should tend to go with a network card that provides you with better heat management properties to eliminate or reduce the problem of overheating.
Budget
Last but not the least, the budget or the price of your network card plays a relevant role in determining your buying decisions. The network cards that we have mentioned in our product reviews list are the ones which can provide you with great services on one hand, and on the other hand, are budget-friendly too. If you compare models that are distinguished on the basis of their costs, undoubtedly there will be a substantial amount of difference in their respective features. But even then, you must go out for the one that suits your requirements along with being budget-friendly too.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the procedure in which the network cards work?
The basic procedure in which network cards work is by taking up the data that is provided to them by the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and then transferring that data to the desired location. This data, then further gets translated into the respective form and it becomes capable to be transferred to the cables. To facilitate ease when used on a computer, this data is then converted into that specific form.
2. Do network adapters have an influence on internet speeds?
The distance that is present between the network adapter and the router plays a major role in determining the speed of the internet. You must always ensure that the distance that is present between the network and the router is kept minimal.
3. How can a network card be enabled?
In order to enable a network card, you should tend to follow the below-mentioned steps:-
- Click on settings and then tap on status.
- After this you need to tap on the change adapter options.
- Then finally you need to right-click on the network adapter and go to enable the option.
4. Are network cards useful when it comes to gaming?
With network cards, a large proportion of games get a tremendous boost. This boost is much greater as compared to a wired connection. Network cards work in accordance to the gaming system thereby facilitating ease and efficiency.
5. At times why do some network cards get slow in their operations?
Network cards are characterized by having a lot of efficiency in their operations and they provide you with higher speeds and better connectivity. If the network card is facilitating slower operations, it simply means that it is damaged. It is advisable to wait for a few hours prior to changing your network card altogether.
6. Is a network card needed for PCs?
Although, most of the motherboards that are in the market today have an in-built WiFi system; but even then, choosing to go out with a network card increases your signal speed on one hand and gives you a better throughput too. It aids in enhancing your system’s performance.
7. How can a network card be installed on a desktop computer system?
Installing up a network card on a desktop system is a simple process. You just have to shut down your system and get it completely unplugged. Afterward, you need to remove the desktop’s upper cover and find the slot of the network card. Finally, you need to put the card in the slot and get it closed.
Conclusion
And that’s it!!! We are pretty sure that you must have made a clear decision about buying up a brand new network card for gaming. If you still have any queries you can let us know in the comments section. We will make sure to get back to you with answers as soon as possible. Also, don’t forget to mention your valuable feedback on this content. Your feedback serves to play a significant role in motivating us to review more products and come up with articles that can guide you in the best of your interests. Thanks for reading.
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