Wifi card upgrade on 17-g052ng

[sandro87]

Hello,

I own this laptop and I would like to upgrade to a Wifi ac 2x2 card. From the manual I can see this series also comes with ac  as an option being the Intel 3160 card http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04655126 (pdf page 10) so this should theorically work 100%.

I was also thiking of a better card like the AzureWave AW-CE123H or Intel 7260... I'm aware of HP being famous for having whitelists for wifi cards and at the same time that newers models form the last years don't have those limits anymore.

Does anyone has more info about my compatibility? 

I read of a guy online who upgraded a Envy 4-1117nr with a AzureWave AW-CE123H which is not actually listed of the "supported" list here http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03599931

Thanks!

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

For systems without a whitelist (manufactured roughly since 4th Quarter 2013) you can install any wi-fi card of the same form factor (for example half-height mini-pcie) and provided you have sufficient antenna. If you try to install a 3 antenna card into a 2 antenna system you will not be happy with the results. Stringing a new antenna is very difficult. 

See p. 38 of the Service Manual here. 

Manual

Some models need the top cover removed to get at the wifi. On yours you remove the bottom cover which is much easier. 

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[sandro87]

Thanks for the answer and the good news!

I'm defintely going to get one as soon as possible, the one I wanna add is a 2 antenna card so no problem.

I will report back 😉

[sandro87]

Hello,

I upgraded to the Intel card i mentioned above which is 2x2 however on this laptop I only found a single antenna wire connected to the old wifi module I replaced, I haven't noticed any improvement in signal strenght which is sad since my 7y laptop and smartphone get better signal, here I can't even connect sometimes.

I was wondering if (1) the laptop has secondary wire hidden somewhere to improve reception since the manual shows that and use the 2x2 tech and if (2) I can add a secondary if not available or at least improve the reception with the single antenna setup. I'm not sure if it's design problem of this laptop that causes this.