Playing video games on PC is not easy or cheap. Unlike console gamers, you have to deal with the components of your machine, its drivers, the operating system… Everything must work in a synchronized way. But the result, if all goes well, is worth it. A powerful CPU, a heart-stopping graphics card, a good SSD drive, and network cards for gaming PCs are essential.
On the one hand, you will need to have a good connection at home. Movistar can offer you fiber optics at speeds of 300 MB, 600 MB and up to 1 GB. This last option, the fastest at the moment, is available in some types of Movistar Fusion.
But having 1 GB of fiber optics at home is of little use if your gaming PC is later on at the other end of your house or if WiFi coverage is not enough. This is where network cards come in to play online, specialized cards for gaming. Its purpose is to make the most of the bandwidth you have contracted and thus enjoy playing online without loading problems or delays during the game.
Let’s see several examples of network cards to play online that we can find on the market. There are for all tastes and pockets. And to connect with your Movistar router via Ethernet or via d8e WiFi.
Gigabyte GC-WB1733D-I
We start with one of the best network cards for wireless connection. That is, through WiFi. Although the Gigabyte GC-WB1733D-I card does not offer WiFi 6, the most current standard, with these gaming cards we can receive 1.7 Gbps over WiFi 5 (802.11ac). In addition, it will also provide us with a Bluetooth signal to connect wireless devices such as keyboards, mice or game controllers.
In addition to the PCIe connection to connect to the motherboard, this PC network card offers an internal USB input to connect adapters for peripherals. As for its two ports for the antenna, it allows a 2Tx2R type WLAN transmission. In addition, it comes with a magnetic foot to facilitate its placement.
With Gigabyte GC-WB1733D-I you will be able to bridge the distance between your router and your PC and thus obtain the maximum available bandwidth to play online.
ASUS XG C100F
If you decide to opt for classic network cards to connect your PC to your router via Ethernet, one of the most professional options for gaming is this ASUS XG C100F gaming PC network card . Looking at the external face we will only see an Ethernet input, but the magic is inside.
The high price of this PC network card lies in its internal features. It is compatible with both fiber optic and DAC cables. It can reach speeds of 10 Gbps without loss. And it connects to your PC via PCIe 2.0 or 3.0.
Another particularity is that it integrates refrigeration. Its aluminum heat sink expels heat to prevent overheating in the card itself or in the rest of the components of your gaming PC. To this we must add that its QoS technology is in charge of automatically assigning bandwidth to each task, prioritizing the one that has to do with playing online.
TP Link Archer TX50E
We return with the network cards for wireless connectivity. On this occasion, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5 at a good price and with two antennas that will delight the most demanding.
The TP Link Archer TX50E card connects via PCIe, as usual, to add WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity to your gaming PC with its latest versions. In the case at hand, WiFi 6, it comes with 1024-QAM and 160 MHz bandwidth. And for everything to work like hell, its two high-gain antennas guarantee wider coverage to bridge the distances between your router and your PC.
More advantages of having WiFi 6 on these gaming cards. WPA3 security to prevent anyone from accessing your local network and OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology to offer a more optimal connection, distributing bandwidth intelligently regardless of the number of devices connected to your home WiFi network.
ASUS PCE-AC56
Another of the most recommended network cards to receive WiFi coverage is the ASUS PCE-AC56. Before we have seen a classic ASUS card for Ethernet use. This is one of its wireless equivalents.
Both share a design, so it also integrates an aluminum heat sink and connection to the motherboard via PCIe 2.0 and 3.0. From here, their wireless characteristics make them different.
It offers a dual-band WiFi 5 or 802.11ac connection . Like your router, which has a 2.4 GHz connection for long distances and a faster 5 GHz connection for more speed over short distances. This is helped by its two antennas integrated into the card itself.
Ubit AX200
Finally, if beyond the brands you are looking for good features, a good option for network cards for WiFi coverage is the Ubit AX200 PC gaming card . Very cheap and offers WiFi 6, the latest standard, so you can get up to 3 Gbps in the best conditions.
In addition to WiFi 6, it also incorporates Bluetooth 5.1 coverage. It connects to the PC via PCIe or via internal USB. And its two high-gain 2×2 external antennas facilitate broadband reception despite the distance to the router thanks to its 360º rotation.
Easy to install and configure, the Ubit AX200 PC network card is ideal for consuming 4K video or playing online without loss of quality or speed.